# Invite link didn't open the app

> If your partner sent you an invite link and tapping it opened a browser instead of Open Heart, there are a few common reasons. Most can be fixed in under a minute.

When your partner sends you an invite link from inside Open Heart, tapping it should open the app directly. If a browser opened instead, one of these is the cause.

## Common causes

### 1. The app isn't installed yet

This is the most common one. The invite link only opens the app if the app is on your phone.

**Fix**: install Open Heart from the App Store or Play Store, then tap the invite link from your messages again. Your phone will route it to the app this time.

### 2. The link is too old

Invites are good for **15 minutes**. After that, the link opens a fallback web page that says "Your partner invited you" — that's intentional, not an error.

**Fix**: ask your partner to send a new invite from inside the app.

### 3. You long-pressed the link instead of tapping

If you long-pressed the link and chose "Open in Safari" (or your default browser), your phone opens it there instead of in the app. That's the phone's behavior, not ours.

**Fix**: tap the link directly. Don't long-press.

### 4. You're using a desktop browser

Invite links only open apps on phones. If you opened it on a laptop, you'll see the fallback web page — by design.

**Fix**: open the link on your phone.

### 5. Verification didn't finish during install

The first time you install Open Heart, your phone fetches a small file from us that tells it "yes, this app is allowed to handle invite links." If your network was flaky during install, that fetch can fail.

**Fix**:

- **iPhone**: uninstall and reinstall the app. Your phone will refetch the file.
- **Android**: uninstall and reinstall. Or go to Android Settings → Apps → Open Heart → Open by default → and tap "Add link."

### 6. Parental controls or work profile restrictions

Some Screen Time, MDM, or parental control profiles disable apps from auto-opening links.

**Fix**: check Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions on iPhone, or your work profile settings on Android.

## Manual workaround

If the link refuses to cooperate but you have the app installed, you can still pair:

1. From your partner's phone: Settings → Invite a partner → tap **Show invite code**
2. The 22-character invite code is shown
3. From your phone: Settings → **Accept invite by code** → paste the code
4. Pairing completes the same way as if you'd tapped the link

## Related

- [Couples mode (pairing)](/docs/features/couples-mode)
- [Install Open Heart](/docs/getting-started/install)