I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to use Branch to implement deep linking into our iOS application. The Branch URL redirects directly to App Store and never attempts to op
I also had same issue, but mine solution is different than yours.
Note: We can open the App in debug mode, (I did it, as pointed out by Alex Bauer in above comment section).
In .plist I added two different keys one is live and another one is test (simultaneously), along with above mentioned configuration settings.
The domain for deep linking which I was using was this. bnc.lt.
I mailed to Branch Io support team regarding my issue, then got reply as follows'
The reason you are having issues is because you are still on our legacy
bnc.ltlink domain. This link domain has been slowly phased out over the past year. Development and functionality have stopped for quite some time in favor of our new link domain (app.link). To fix your issues and get your AASA validator working correctly, you will need to change your link domain from bnc.lt to app.link on your Branch Dashboard (https://dashboard.branch.io/settings/link). Once you have made this change, you will need to update your app to accept the new app.link link domain as well as your old bnc.lt link domain. https://gist.github.com/ethanneff/a2a70d1b3518c638701c28b1bd374e80
Please visit the above link its very helpful.
Hope it solves your issue, Happy Branching :)