iOS App Store search url scheme

Question

I am looking for a way to open the App Store app on iOS and search for a query term from a URL.

The closest I have gotten so far is getting the app open and query field filled, but the query is filled incorrectly. Instead of being filled with virtual reality, the search box gets filled with ( "virtual reality" ), and the app says no results. The URL works to open iTunes with a search for virtual reality. https://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?media=software&term=virtual%20reality

I am not looking for the JSON Search API and all URLs I have found do not work anymore (most links I found claiming to do this mention iOS 6 or are at least a year old).

Not working:

• http ://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?media=software&term=SEARCH_TERMS
• https ://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?media=software&q=virtual%20reality&mt=12 (opens Mac App Store on OS X, iTunes Store app on iOS)
• https ://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/advancedSearch?entity=software&term=virtual+reality&submit=seeAllLockups (opens correct search results on OS X iTunes but opens iTunes Store app on iOS)

Is there a way to open the App Store and search for a query from a URL?

Answer 1

Use "itms-apps://" url scheme to open the App Store app on iOS directly:

So the example for your use case is:

itms-apps://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?media=software&term=virtual+reality

Easiest way to test this is with a Mac and the Notes app with iCloud sync.