What "linking Reddit" means and why you might do it
Linking Reddit means connecting your Reddit account to another app or website so they can talk to each other. When you link accounts, you're giving that app permission to access certain information from your Reddit profile — like your username, saved posts, or upvote history — without having to type your Reddit password into it.
You might link Reddit to a third-party app that shows your saved posts in a different way, a website that analyzes your posting history, or a service that backs up your comments. The link stays active until you remove it, and you can revoke access anytime from your Reddit settings.
The process is the same whether you're on desktop or mobile: you authorize the connection through Reddit's official login system, which keeps your password safe because you never hand it to the third-party app directly.
Key Takeaways
- Linking Reddit means giving another app or website permission to read certain information from your account, without sharing your password.
- You authorize links through Reddit's official login page, which appears in a pop-up or new window — never type your password directly into a third-party site.
- You can see all active links in your Reddit account settings under "Authorized applications" and remove any of them at any time.
- Third-party apps and websites can only access the permissions you grant them during the linking process, which Reddit shows you before you confirm.
How to link Reddit to a third-party app or website
Most third-party apps and websites that work with Reddit have a button that says "Sign in with Reddit" or "Connect Reddit account". Click that button, and a new window will open showing Reddit's official login page.
Enter your Reddit username and password on that official Reddit page — not on the third-party site itself. After you log in, Reddit will show you a list of permissions the app is asking for, such as "read your saved posts" or "see your upvote history". Read through these carefully. Click "Allow" or "Authorize" to confirm the link, and the window will close and return you to the app.
The app is now linked to your account. You should not have to log in again on that device unless you unlink it or the app clears its cache.
Where to find and remove linked apps from your Reddit account
To see which apps and websites are currently linked to your Reddit account, go to your Reddit settings. On desktop, click your profile icon in the top right, select "User settings", then scroll down to find "Safety and privacy" or look for a section called "Apps and websites". On mobile, tap your profile icon, go to "Settings", then look for "Connected apps" or "Authorized applications".
You will see a list of every app or website that has access to your account, along with what permissions each one has. If you no longer use an app or no longer trust it, click the "Revoke" or "Remove" button next to it. The link is broken immediately, and that app can no longer read your Reddit data.
Revoking access does not delete any data the app already collected before you revoked it — it only stops future access. If you want to remove your data from an app entirely, you may need to contact that app's support team directly.
What permissions you should watch for when linking
When you click "Allow" to link an app, Reddit shows you exactly what that app is asking to see. Common permissions include "read your profile" (your username and basic info), "read your saved posts", "read your upvote and downvote history", and "read your private messages". Some apps ask for more sensitive permissions like the ability to post or comment on your behalf.
You should only grant permissions that make sense for what the app does. If a backup tool asks to read your saved posts, that makes sense. If a post-analysis tool asks for permission to post on your behalf, that is a red flag — you probably do not need to grant that. You can refuse individual permissions and still use the app with the ones you do allow, though some apps may not work properly if you deny certain permissions.
If an app asks for permissions that seem too broad or unnecessary, you can close the authorization window and not link it. There is no penalty for refusing.
Troubleshooting a failed link or reconnecting an old app
If you click "Sign in with Reddit" and nothing happens, or the window closes without linking, try clearing your browser's cookies and cache, then try again. If you are on mobile and the link fails, try opening the app's settings and looking for a "Reconnect" or "Re-authorize" button instead of starting fresh.
If you previously linked an app, unlinked it, and now want to link it again, the process is identical — just click "Sign in with Reddit" again. Reddit will ask you to authorize the permissions a second time. You will not lose any data by unlinking and relinking; the app simply loses access while the link is broken.
If an app says your link has expired or is no longer valid, go to your Reddit settings, revoke that app completely, then try linking it again from scratch. Expired links usually happen when an app's authorization token gets old or when Reddit updates its security systems.
How to know if a "Sign in with Reddit" button is safe
A safe "Sign in with Reddit" button will open a new window or tab that shows Reddit's official login page — the URL will start with "reddit.com" or "accounts.reddit.com". You should see Reddit's official logo and design. If the login page appears inside the app itself without opening a new window, or if the URL does not look like Reddit's official domain, do not enter your password.
Legitimate third-party apps and websites use Reddit's official OAuth system, which is Reddit's way of letting apps connect securely without ever seeing your password. If a website asks you to type your Reddit password directly into their site, that is not a safe link — close the page and do not proceed.
Before linking any app, check whether it is well-known and trusted. Look at reviews on the app store or search for the app's name plus "reddit" to see what other users say about it. If an app has very few reviews or mostly negative ones, it is safer to skip it.
What happens to your data after you link an app
Once you link an app, it can read the data you gave it permission to access. That data stays on the app's servers, not on Reddit's. If you later revoke the link, the app loses the ability to read new data from your account, but it keeps any data it already downloaded before you revoked it.
For example, if you link an app that backs up your saved posts, it downloads all your saved posts to its servers. If you revoke the link a week later, the app still has those posts — it just cannot download any new ones. To remove your data from an app entirely, you usually have to contact the app's support team and ask them to delete it, or look for a "Delete my data" option in the app's settings.
Reddit itself does not monitor what third-party apps do with your data after they receive it. If you are concerned about privacy, read the app's privacy policy before linking, and only link apps from companies you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link the same Reddit account to multiple apps at once?
Yes. You can link your Reddit account to as many apps and websites as you want simultaneously. Each link is separate, and you can revoke any one of them without affecting the others. Go to your authorized applications list to see all active links.
What if I forgot which app I linked and now want to remove it?
Go to your Reddit settings and look at the "Authorized applications" list. It will show you the name of every linked app and when you authorized it. If you do not recognize an app, click "Revoke" to remove it immediately. You can revoke any app without consequences.
Does linking Reddit to an app let it see my password?
No. When you link through Reddit's official login page, the app never sees your password. Reddit handles the authentication, and the app only receives a token that lets it access the specific data you allowed. Your password stays between you and Reddit.
Can I link Reddit on my phone and desktop to the same app?
Yes. Linking is tied to your Reddit account, not to a specific device. If you link an app on your phone, it has access to your account from any device. You only need to link once per app, even if you use it on multiple devices.
What should I do if an app asks for my password instead of showing a Reddit login page?
Do not enter your password. Close the page immediately. A legitimate link always opens Reddit's official login page in a new window. If an app asks for your password directly, it is either not set up correctly or is trying to steal your credentials.