The fastest way to send a WhatsApp link
To send a WhatsApp link to someone, open WhatsApp and find the chat where you want to share it. Paste or type the link into the message box at the bottom of the screen, then tap the send button (the arrow icon). WhatsApp will automatically preview the link — showing the title, description, and thumbnail image if one exists — before you send it.
If you want to send a link to multiple people at once, you can copy the link and paste it into a group chat the same way. The link will appear as a clickable preview that anyone in the chat can tap to open in their browser.
WhatsApp also lets you share links from other apps directly into WhatsApp without copying and pasting. Open the app or website where the link lives, tap the share button (usually three dots or lines), select WhatsApp from the list, choose which chat to send it to, and tap send.
Key Takeaways
- Paste any web link directly into a WhatsApp chat and it will show a preview with the page title and thumbnail before you send it.
- Use the share button in other apps to send links to WhatsApp without manually copying and pasting.
- Links sent in group chats are visible to everyone in that group, so choose your audience before sending.
- WhatsApp shows link previews to help you confirm you are sharing the right page before the message leaves your phone.
Sending a link from your phone's browser
If you are reading something in Safari (on iPhone) or Chrome (on Android) and want to share the link, tap the share button — it looks like a box with an arrow pointing out of it. A menu will pop up showing apps you can share to. Scroll down until you see WhatsApp, tap it, then choose which chat or group you want to send it to.
This method is faster than copying the link and pasting it manually, because WhatsApp opens directly to your chat list. You do not have to switch back and forth between your browser and WhatsApp.
Sharing links from social media and news sites
Most social media apps — Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook — have a share button built into each post. Tap it and look for WhatsApp in the list of apps. Select the chat you want to send it to, and the app will send a link to that post rather than copying the text or image itself.
News websites often have a share button near the headline or at the end of the article. Tapping it and choosing WhatsApp sends a link that your friends can open in their browser, even if they do not have the news app installed.
When you share a social media post this way, WhatsApp usually shows a preview of the post — the image, caption, or video thumbnail — so the person receiving it can see what you are sharing before they tap the link.
What happens when someone clicks a link you send
When someone taps a link in WhatsApp, it opens in their default web browser. They do not need to install anything or log in to WhatsApp again — the link just takes them to the website or app page you wanted them to see.
If the link points to a YouTube video, Spotify song, or another app's content, tapping it may open that app instead of the browser, depending on what the person has installed on their phone. This is automatic and happens behind the scenes.
Copying a WhatsApp chat link to share outside WhatsApp
WhatsApp lets you create a link that opens a chat with you, which you can share on websites, email, or other messaging apps. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings (the gear icon), tap Account, then Invite to WhatsApp. You will see a link that says something like "Let's chat on WhatsApp" — copy this link and share it wherever you want.
When someone clicks this link on their phone, it opens WhatsApp and starts a new chat with you. This is useful if you want to give people a way to contact you without sharing your phone number directly.
Why link previews sometimes do not appear
WhatsApp shows a preview of a link only if the website lets it. Some websites block preview images for privacy or security reasons, so you might see just the link text with no thumbnail or description. This does not mean the link is broken — it just means the website chose not to share preview information.
If you are on a slow internet connection, the preview might take a few seconds to load. If it never appears after waiting, the website may not support previews, or WhatsApp may not have been able to reach the website to fetch the preview information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a link to someone who does not have WhatsApp?
No — WhatsApp only works between people who have the app installed. If you want to send a link to someone without WhatsApp, use text message, email, or another messaging app instead. You can copy the link and paste it into any of those.
Does the person I send a link to have to pay to open it?
No. Opening a link uses their internet connection (WiFi or mobile data), but WhatsApp itself is free. They will not be charged for tapping the link or visiting the website.
Can I send a link to a group chat?
Yes. Paste or share the link into any group chat the same way you would send it to one person. Everyone in the group will see it and can tap it to open it.
What if I send a link by mistake?
You can delete a message you just sent by long-pressing it and tapping Delete. This removes it from the chat for everyone (though people may have already seen it if they were looking at their phone). You cannot edit a message after sending it — you have to delete and resend.
Is it safe to click links people send me on WhatsApp?
Links from people you know are usually safe. Be cautious with links from strangers or unexpected messages from people you know — they may be phishing attempts or malware. If a link looks suspicious, do not tap it. When in doubt, ask the person directly whether they sent it.