Journey session returns {is_first_session: false. clicked_branch_link: false} on app install when $android_url is set

[feifei-duan]

Describe the bug

Problem
My app is not publicly available, so I want users to be able to download the app through a custom URL if users click on 'Get' the app button on Journey smart banner, and then receive branch parameters after opening the app.

If I set $android_url for Branch Journey and set the value to a custom app download link(a download link from Google Play Closed Testing or Firebase App Distribution), after a new user downloads the Android app, branch session returns {is_first_session: false. clicked_branch_link: false} without any other journey parameters.

If the $android_url is NOT set for Journey, branch session doesn return clicked_branch_link:true together with other journey parameters correctly on app install.

Would really appreciate your help! Thank you!

Steps to reproduce

1. Use an Android device. Make sure the app is not installed.
2. Creates a smart journey banner with $android_url set as Journey deep link data. The value of $android_url should be a custom app download link (e.g. Firebase App Distritbuion Link or Google Play Console Closed Testing link).
   If you do not have a custom app download link, set it to any link and later download the app in other ways you can (you should still be able to reproduce it).
3. Go to the website with the smart banner
4. Click on 'Get' the app on the smart journey banner, download and then open the app.
5. Check what Branch parameters you receive from the Branch session.

Expected Behavior

I was expecting I could still receive branch session parameters on app install if the $android_url is set for Journey and if the user downloads the app through the custom $android_url download link. What is the intended behavior?

Additional Information/Context

No response

SDK version used (window.branch.sdk)

Flutter branch sdk [8.2.0]

Environment

Chrome 131.0.6778.104, and Android Version [Android 14] and [Android 12]