How to Send a Link in WhatsApp (iPhone, Android and Web)

Sharing a link sounds like the easiest job in WhatsApp, and it's simple enough until the link arrives as a wall of text, or the preview doesn't show, or you can't work out where to paste it. I send links all day, for articles, booking pages and files, so I've put the whole routine in one place. The steps below come from WhatsApp's help pages, with the little details that trip people up.

The quick way to send a link in WhatsApp

The official help pages keep it simple: copy the link you'd like to share, open the chat, and paste it. That's the same whether it's a person or a group. Then press send.

1. Open the page, video or file you want to share in your browser or another app.
2. Copy its link. Most apps have a Share or Copy link option, or you can copy the address from the browser bar.
3. Open WhatsApp and the chat you want, either an individual chat or a group.
4. Tap or click the message box, then paste the link.
5. Press the send button.

If you'd rather skip copying, many apps have a Share button that lists WhatsApp as a choice. Which options you see depends on your phone and the app, so use whichever is quicker for you.

Sending a link in WhatsApp on iPhone

WhatsApp's help pages for iPhone say to copy the link, open an individual or group chat, paste the link, then tap the send arrow. They also note that WhatsApp needs permission to reach things like your Contacts, Photos, Camera or Location Services before you can send media, documents, links, location or contacts. If sharing seems blocked, check iPhone Settings, then Privacy.

1. Copy the link you want to share.
2. Open WhatsApp and the chat.
3. Touch the message box and choose Paste.
4. Tap the send arrow.

Sending a link in WhatsApp on Android

The steps on an Android phone follow the same pattern: copy the link, open the chat, paste into the message box and send. Menus vary by app version, so the exact label on your keyboard may be Paste or a clipboard icon. If you can't find it, press and hold in the message box and it should appear.

Sending a link in WhatsApp Web or the desktop app

On a computer, WhatsApp's help pages say the same thing in a line: copy the link you'd like to share and paste it into the chat. Click into the message box, press Ctrl and V on Windows or Command and V on a Mac, then press Enter or click send.

This is the quickest route when your link is already open in a browser tab, because you can copy the address bar and paste it straight across.

Why your WhatsApp link shows a preview, or doesn't

According to WhatsApp's help pages, a message with just one link creates a preview. That's the little card showing the page title and image, and it's handy because people can see what they're about to open. If your message has several links, the preview may not appear, so for a neat result send one link per message.

There's also a privacy setting that changes this. WhatsApp has an option called Disable link previews, and if you turn it on, links you send won't generate a preview. It's off by default, and it only affects links you send. It doesn't change links you receive from other people.

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
2. Tap Privacy.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Turn Disable link previews on or off.

If your link has no preview and you didn't change anything, that's often a one-off. Try sending it alone on one line. If it's still missing, check you haven't switched the setting on.

Checking where a WhatsApp link goes before you open it

On iPhone, WhatsApp's help pages say that to see the full address in a sent message you can tap the short link and then tap Open Link to continue. It's a good habit with any link you didn't expect. If a message from someone you don't know contains a link, don't open it, and report the contact to WhatsApp.

Sending links in WhatsApp for business and content

If you use WhatsApp for your business or side project, links are how you hand people your booking page, your latest article or a form. A few small habits make them work better.

• Send one link per message so the preview shows cleanly.
• Add a short line of text before it, so people know why you're sending it.
• Use a link that opens on a phone, because most people read WhatsApp on theirs.
• Keep a tidy chat. My guide to hiding a WhatsApp chat is useful if you share links in a busy chat you want out of sight.

If you share a lot of useful links, you'll also find the collected guides in my WhatsApp help guide handy, because it points to the other everyday jobs in one place.

If you can't send a link in WhatsApp

• Check your connection. A clock beside the message instead of a tick means it hasn't been delivered yet.
• Make sure you copied the whole link, because a link that gets cut off won't open.
• Update WhatsApp, because older versions can behave differently.
• Try pasting the link into a short message with a word or two, in case the app is holding back the preview.

If one specific person never gets your links, they might be blocked from your side or have you blocked, so it's worth sending them something plain to see whether it arrives.

Frequently asked questions

How do I send a link in WhatsApp?

Copy the link, open the chat, paste it into the message box and press send. WhatsApp's help pages describe it exactly this way.

Why doesn't my WhatsApp link show a preview?

WhatsApp says a message with just one link creates a preview. Try sending it on its own, and check that Disable link previews isn't switched on.

Can I turn off link previews?

Yes. Go to Settings, Privacy, Advanced, then turn Disable link previews on. It only affects links you send.

Can I send a link on WhatsApp Web?

Yes. Copy the link and paste it into the chat, then press Enter or click send.

Does turning off link previews hide links I receive?

No. WhatsApp says the setting doesn't affect links you receive from others.