Testing attribution

To make sure that the tracking is set up correctly, test the attribution work before launching the ad campaign.

For more information about attribution, see Attributing app installs.

The section below describes the steps of testing the attribution:

Step 1. Add a test device

AppMetrica attributes the install of an application to a partner only once, if it is installed on the same device. All the subsequent installs of the app are registered as organic.

But for a test device, AppMetrica always registers all installs as new and attributes them to the partner. Thus, to test attribution, you need to add a test device.

You can add a test device:

Install the AppMetrica app on the test device (Android | iOS).
Log in and select your app from the list.
In the upper-left corner, click → Device Management.
Enable Attribution testing.

In the AppMetrica interface, open Settings → Test Devices.
Specify Device name, ID and choose type ID from the drop-down list: Apple IDFA, Google AID or Windows AID.
How to get the Google AID

Install the AppMetrica app on the test device.

Log in and select your app from the list.

In the upper-left corner, click → Device Management.

The Google AID is shown in the AID field. Enter it in the AppMetrica web interface.

Note. You can enable attribution testing in the AppMetrica app. To do this, enable Attribution testing.
How to get the Apple IDFA

Install the AppMetrica app on the test device.

Log in and select your app from the list.

In the upper-left corner, click → Device Management.

The Apple IDFA is shown in the IDFA field. Enter it in the AppMetrica web interface.

Note. You can enable attribution testing in the AppMetrica app. To do this, enable Attribution testing.
How to get the Windows AID

Install the AppMetrica Identifiers app on a test device.

Launch the app and copy the ID.
In the Purpose field, select Reattribution and click Add.

Note. You can also enable the reattribution option in the tracker settings for testing the tracking URL. Due to that, AppMetrica registers any installations for this tracker as new.

Don't forget to disable the reattribution option after testing.

Step 2. Click the tracking URL and install the app

To test the tracker, open the tracking URL on the test device.

In the upper-left corner, click → Trackers.
Select the tracker you created. If there isn't a tracker, create one. For more information, see Creating a tracker.
Click Open tracking link.
Install the app from the app store and launch it. After the start, use the app for a few seconds.

Send the tracking URL to the test device. For example:
- Save the tracking URL in notes;
- Send the tracking URL to the device via email;
- (recommended) Put the tracking URL on a static web page. In this case, the rel attribute of the HTML link should not contain noopener noreferrer value.
Attention. Don't use messengers to send tracking URL. Some messengers can remove AppMetrica redirects and send users directly to the app store. In AppMetrica, attribution does not work without redirects.
Click the tracking URL.
Install the app from the app store and launch it. After the start, use the app for a few seconds.

Step 3. Make sure the installation appeared in the report

The installation appears in a report in 5 minutes after the app is launched. You can view information about installations:

In the upper-left corner, click → Trackers.
Select the tracker that you are testing attribution for.
Click Open report for this tracker.
Make sure that the number of installations for your tracker has changed.

Open the User Acquisition report.
Select the tracker that you are testing attribution for.
Make sure that the number of installations for your tracker has changed.

Note. If the installation does not appear in the report immediately, wait for 10-15 minutes. This delay is possible when AppMetrica servers experience increased network load.