What is linking in React Native?

The Linking API allows React Native apps to interact with the outside world — opening URLs (web, email, phone, maps), handling deep links into your own app, and opening the device settings. Opening URLs: import { Linking } from "react-native"; // Open a webpage: await Linking.openURL("https://reactnative.dev"); // Make a phone call: await Linking.openURL("tel:+1234567890"); // Send an email: await Linking.openURL("mailto:support@example.com?subject=Help"); // Open maps: await Linking.openURL("https://maps.google.com/?q=New+York"); // Open app settings: await Linking.openSettings(); // Check if URL can be opened: const canOpen = await Linking.canOpenURL("fb://profile/123"); if (canOpen) { await Linking.openURL("fb://profile/123"); } else { await Linking.openURL("https://facebook.com/123"); }. Deep linking (handling incoming URLs): configure the app to respond to custom URL schemes (myapp://screen/id) or Universal Links (iOS) / App Links (Android) (https://myapp.com/screen/id): useEffect(() => { // Handle initial URL (app was closed): Linking.getInitialURL().then(url => { if (url) handleDeepLink(url); }); // Handle URL while app is open: const subscription = Linking.addEventListener("url", ({ url }) => { handleDeepLink(url); }); return () => subscription.remove(); }, []);. React Navigation handles deep linking automatically with linking config prop on NavigationContainer.