Overview

This guide covers the mobile-specific attribution signals that layer on top of the shared S2S mechanics: Apple Search Ads, Google Play and Meta install referrers, uninstall tracking, and the iOS install receipt. It applies to iOS and Android app integrations that report sessions and events server-to-server.

Apple Search Ads Attribution

iOS Search Ads Integration

Apple Search Ads is a Self-Attributing Network (SAN) requiring platform-specific attribution implementation via Apple frameworks.

Framework Support:

• AdServices (iOS 14.3 and above): AdServices framework. Current, recommended integration path.
• iAd (iOS 14.2 and below): iAd framework. Legacy framework, deprecated by Apple; not recommended for new integrations.

Complete guide: Apple Search Ads Integration Documentation

AdServices Framework Implementation

Retrieve and send attribution token via AdServices framework for iOS 14.3 and above.

Step 1: Retrieve Attribution Token

#import <AdServices/AdServices.h>

NSError *error = nil;
Class AAAttributionClass = NSClassFromString(@"AAAttribution");
if (AAAttributionClass) {
    NSString *attributionToken = [AAAttributionClass attributionTokenWithError:&error];
    if (!error && attributionToken) {
        // Handle attributionToken
    }
}

Step 2: Send to Singular

URL-encode token and append to SESSION endpoint as attribution_token parameter on first session after every install and reinstall.

Google Play Install Referrer

Android Install Attribution

Google Play Install Referrer provides most accurate Android install attribution, containing information about user origin before Play Store arrival.

More info: Google Install Referrer Documentation

Implementation Steps:

1. Retrieve install referrer on first app open using Play Install Referrer API
2. Report session via SESSION endpoint including install_ref JSON parameter with required attributes

install_ref Attributes:

Meta Install Referrer

Facebook Attribution Enhancement

Meta Referrer is Android-specific measurement solution providing granular user-level attribution data for app installs, combining Google Play Install Referrer and Meta Install Referrer technologies.

Learn more: Meta Referrer FAQ

Implementation Steps:

1. Retrieve Meta install referrer on first app open per Meta's documentation
2. Report session via SESSION endpoint including meta_ref JSON parameter with required attributes

meta_ref Attributes:

Uninstall Tracking

Silent Push Notification Setup

Track uninstalls using device silent push notifications by sending push token with every session notification.

Setup Requirements:

1. Follow platform-specific uninstall tracking setup:
   • iOS Uninstall Tracking Setup
   • Android Uninstall Tracking Setup
2. Append platform-specific token to SESSION request:
   • iOS: apns_token (APNs device token)
   • Android: fcm (FCM device token)

iOS Install Receipt

Receipt Validation

Pass iOS install receipt in install_receipt parameter when reporting iOS session.

import Foundation
import StoreKit

class ReceiptManager {
    static func getInstallReceipt() -> String? {
        if #available(iOS 18.0, *) {
            let semaphore = DispatchSemaphore(value: 0)
            var result: String?

            Task {
                do {
                    let transaction = try await AppTransaction.shared
                    result = transaction.jwsRepresentation
                    semaphore.signal()
                } catch {
                    debugPrint("Failed to get app transaction: \(error.localizedDescription)")
                    semaphore.signal()
                }
            }

            semaphore.wait()
            return result

        } else {
            guard let receiptURL = Bundle.main.appStoreReceiptURL else {
                debugPrint("Receipt URL not found")
                return nil
            }

            do {
                let receiptData = try Data(contentsOf: receiptURL, options: .uncached)
                return receiptData.base64EncodedString(options: [])
            } catch {
                debugPrint("Failed to read receipt: \(error.localizedDescription)")
                return nil
            }
        }
    }
}