Over the past two weeks, we have noticed widespread degraded performance in iOS devices not recognizing when links are App Clips. When scanning the QR code, it identifies it as a link, not an App Clip link and tries to open the link via Safari. Once in Safari, it still prompts the user to download the full app and not open the App Clip. Scanning with the Control Center "Scan Code" button gives an indication that it understands it's an App Clip link, but still does not open it correctly. In some cases, it will say "App Clip Unavailable" which is simply not true.
After a few scans of the same QR code, the iOS device will correct itself and open the correct App Clip. There is no consistency and/or reason why it would do this.
We have had a massive influx of users complaining that it's not opening the App Clip correctly. We have not changed anything on our website or app that would alter the efficacy of this issue. Have tested on a variety of different iOS devices on a variety of different operating systems (iPads, iPhones, iOS 16, iOS 18, etc) and they all have started behaving this same way. In addition, we've tested on other apps with App Clips and they are experiencing the same issue. My guess is that there is something happening on Apple's side with apple-app-site-association issues.
We reported via Feedback Assistant but have yet to hear from anyone from Apple to acknowledge this is a widespread issue.