The fastest way to share a link by text
To send a link in a text message, copy the web address from your browser, open your text app, paste it into a new message, and send it. On most phones, you can copy a link by pressing and holding on it until a menu appears, then tapping "Copy" or "Copy Link". The recipient will see the link as a clickable blue line they can tap to open it.
The exact steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android, and the process is the same whether you are using your phone's built-in messaging app or a third-party app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. The link will arrive as plain text, and most phones automatically recognize it and make it tappable.
Key Takeaways
- Copy the link from your browser by pressing and holding on it, then select "Copy" from the menu that appears.
- Open your text message app, start a new message to the person you want to text, and paste the link into the message box.
- Most phones automatically turn links blue and make them tappable, so the recipient can open the link with one tap.
- If the link does not appear clickable on the recipient's phone, they can still copy and paste it into their browser manually.
How to copy a link on iPhone
On an iPhone, open Safari or another browser and navigate to the page you want to share. Press and hold on the web address at the top of the screen (the URL bar). A menu will pop up with several options. Tap "Copy" to copy the full link to your clipboard.
If you are already on the page and want to copy the link, you can also press and hold on a link within the page itself. This brings up a different menu with options like "Copy Link", "Open", or "Share". Tap "Copy Link" to copy just that link. Either method works equally well for texting.
How to copy a link on Android
On an Android phone, open Chrome or your default browser and go to the page you want to share. Press and hold on the web address at the top of the screen. A menu will appear with options including "Copy URL" or "Copy link address". Tap whichever option your phone shows.
If you want to copy a link that is already on a page, press and hold directly on that link. Android will show you options like "Copy link" or "Copy link URL". Tap the copy option, and the link goes into your clipboard. You can now paste it into a text message.
Pasting the link into a text message
After you have copied the link, open your text messaging app. This is usually called Messages, SMS, or Messaging depending on your phone. Tap the button to start a new message or open an existing conversation with the person you want to text.
Tap inside the message box at the bottom of the screen where you normally type. Press and hold until a menu appears, then tap "Paste". The link will appear in your message box. You can add words before or after the link if you want to explain what it is. When you are ready, tap "Send".
What happens when the recipient gets the link
When your message arrives, the recipient will see the link displayed in blue text (on most phones). They can tap it once to open it in their browser. The phone recognizes the link automatically because it starts with "http://" or "https://", so no special formatting is needed on your end.
If the link does not appear blue or clickable on their phone, they can still use it. They can press and hold on the link, copy it, open their browser, and paste it into the address bar. This works on any phone, even older ones that do not automatically recognize links in text messages.
Sending links through third-party messaging apps
If you use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, or another messaging app instead of your phone's built-in text app, the process is identical. Copy the link the same way, open the app, find the conversation, tap the message box, and paste. These apps handle links the same way your phone's text app does.
Some messaging apps also have a "Share" button built into the browser or app you are using. If you see a Share button on a webpage or in another app, you can tap it and select your messaging app from the list. This skips the copy-and-paste step and sends the link directly. Both methods work equally well.
Troubleshooting links that will not send or open
If a link will not paste into your message, try copying it again. Sometimes the copy did not work the first time. Press and hold on the link, make sure "Copy" or "Copy Link" is highlighted, and tap it. Then go back to your message and try pasting again.
If the recipient cannot open the link after they receive it, the link itself may be broken or the website may be down. Ask them to try again in a few minutes. If the link still does not work, try sending it again or describing the page in words so they can search for it themselves. Very long links sometimes get cut off in older text messaging systems, though this is rare on modern phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a link without copying and pasting?
Yes. Many apps have a built-in Share button. Open the webpage or content you want to share, tap the Share button (usually three dots or lines), and select your messaging app from the list. The app will open with the link already in the message box, ready to send.
Will the link work if I just type it out by hand?
It may work, but it is easy to make a typo. Copying and pasting is faster and more reliable. If you do type it, double-check that you did not miss any characters, especially the "://" part after "http" or "https".
Does the recipient need to do anything special to open a link I send?
No. They just tap the blue link in the message, and it opens in their browser. If the link is not blue, they can press and hold on it, copy it, open their browser, and paste it into the address bar.
What if the link is really long and looks messy in the text?
Long links are normal and will still work. Some messaging apps can shorten links automatically, but this is optional. The recipient can tap the long link just as easily as a short one.
Can I send a link to multiple people at once?
Yes. Create a group message with all the people you want to text, paste the link into the message box, and send. Everyone in the group will receive the same link.