An online system receives a request to install an application on a client device associated with a user of the online system and initiates retrieval of the application by the client device for installation. While the client device retrieves the application, the online system presents the user with a user interface for receiving information about the user for use by the application. Information provided via the user interface is stored by the online system, which generates a link for launching the application and communicating the stored information to the application. When the application has been installed on the client device, the online system sends the link to the client device for presentation to the user. When the user interacts with the link to launch the application, stored information identified by the link is communicated to the application.