diff --git a/.drone.yml b/.drone.yml
index 41fde83..fc0cf69 100644
--- a/.drone.yml
+++ b/.drone.yml
@@ -11,5 +11,21 @@ steps:
   image: itsblue.dev/plugins/codeberg-pages-deploy
   settings:
     folder: public
+    ssh_key:
+        from_secret: gitea-ssh-key
+
+# we need a separate branch for app.bluerock.dev
+# otherwise, the google app url verification does not work
+# see: https://developer.android.com/training/app-links/verify-site-associations#publish-json
+- name: put app.bluerock.dev into domains
+  image: alpine
+  commands:
+  - echo "app.bluerock.dev" > public/.domains
+
+- name: publish app branch
+  image: itsblue.dev/plugins/codeberg-pages-deploy
+  settings:
+    folder: public
+    git_branch: pages-app
     ssh_key:
         from_secret: gitea-ssh-key
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/static/.domains b/static/.domains
index 7646804..d1f874d 100644
--- a/static/.domains
+++ b/static/.domains
@@ -1,3 +1,2 @@
 l.bluerock.dev
-bluerock.dev
-app.bluerock.dev
\ No newline at end of file
+bluerock.dev
\ No newline at end of file