Implementations disclose restricted and unrestricted states for content based on installation status of applications. A method includes receiving, by a first content platform, a request to access content via a first application executing on a client device, the first application being associated with the first content platform, determining that the first application is in an unrestricted state based on an ephermal state machine of the server device, determining an install state of a second application on the client device, the second application being associated with a second content platform, responsive to determining that the install state of the second application is uninstalled, providing the content via the first application in the unrestricted state, and responsive to determining that the install state of the second application is installed, transferring the first application to a restricted state, and providing the content via the first application in a restricted state.