The simplest way to share a link
To send a link on WhatsApp, open the conversation where you want to share it, paste or type the web address into the message box, and tap send. WhatsApp automatically detects the link and displays a preview — the page title, a thumbnail image if one exists, and the first line of description. The person receiving it sees this preview and can tap it to open the link in their browser.
You do not need to do anything special. WhatsApp recognizes web addresses that start with http://, https://, www., or just the domain name (like example.com). Paste the full address exactly as it appears, and the app handles the rest.
The preview appears a few seconds after you send the message. If the preview does not show up, the link still sent correctly — the website may straightforward not have the information WhatsApp needs to create one. The recipient can still tap the link and open it.
Key Takeaways
- Paste or type the web address into the message box and send it like any other message — WhatsApp detects it automatically.
- WhatsApp shows a preview with the page title and image, but the link works whether the preview appears or not.
- On Android, long-press the link preview to copy the URL or open it in a different browser; on iPhone, swipe left on the message.
- Links you send are visible to everyone in the conversation, including group members, unless you delete the message afterward.
- WhatsApp does not scan links for safety, so only send and open links from people and sources you trust.
Sending a link in a one-on-one chat
Open the conversation with the person you want to message. Tap the message input box at the bottom of the screen — the field where you normally type text. Paste the link using your phone's paste function, or type it out if you have it memorized.
Once the link appears in the message box, tap the send button (a paper airplane icon on most phones). The message goes through when ready. Within a few seconds, WhatsApp fetches information about the webpage and displays a preview card above or below your message. This card shows the website's title, a relevant image, and sometimes a short description.
If you want to add text along with the link, type your message first, press Enter to create a new line, then paste the link below. The text and link travel in the same message.
Sending a link in a group chat
The process is identical to a one-on-one chat. Open the group, tap the message box, paste or type the link, and send. Everyone in the group sees the message and the preview. Your name appears next to the message so people know you sent it.
Be aware that links in group chats are visible to all members. If you want to share a link with only one person in the group, send it in a separate one-on-one conversation instead. You can also delete the message after sending if you change your mind, though members who saw it before deletion may remember the link.
What to do if the preview does not appear
A missing preview does not mean the link failed to send. WhatsApp creates previews by visiting the webpage and reading its title and image information. Some websites block this process, some are temporarily unavailable, or some straightforward do not include the data WhatsApp needs.
The recipient can still tap the link and open it in their browser. If you want to help them understand what the link is, add a message above it explaining what they will find — for example, "Here is that recipe I mentioned" or "Check out this article about gardening."
If you are concerned the link did not send at all, look for a small clock icon next to the message. A clock means WhatsApp is still trying to send it, usually because your connection is weak. A checkmark means it arrived on WhatsApp's servers. Two checkmarks mean the recipient has received it on their phone.
Opening and managing links others send you
When someone sends you a link, you see the preview card in the conversation. Tap anywhere on the preview to open the link in your default web browser. On Android, you can long-press the preview to see options: open in browser, copy the URL, or share it elsewhere.
On iPhone, swipe left on the message to reveal more options, including copy. If you want to open the link in a different browser than your default, copy the URL first, then open your preferred browser and paste it into the address bar.
Links stay in your chat history. If you want to find a link someone sent you weeks ago, scroll up through the conversation or use the search function (the magnifying glass icon) to search for keywords from the preview text.
Security considerations when sharing links
WhatsApp does not scan links for malware or phishing before you send or receive them. This means you should only open links from people you know and trust. If a link comes from someone you do not recognize, or if a trusted contact sends something unusual, ask them about it before clicking.
Be cautious of shortened links (URLs that have been compressed into a shorter form). These hide the actual destination, so you cannot see where the link really goes. If someone sends you a shortened link and you are unsure about it, ask them what the full address is before opening it.
When you share a link, remember that it is visible to everyone in the conversation. Do not send links to sensitive information — like a private document, a personal photo album, or a login page — unless you are certain everyone in the chat should see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a link without showing the preview?
Not directly. WhatsApp automatically creates previews for links. However, you can type the link in a way that makes it less obvious — for example, writing "Visit example dot com" instead of pasting the actual URL. The recipient would have to type it manually, which defeats the purpose of sending a link.
What if the link is very long and takes up a lot of space?
Long links still send normally. If you want to make a link shorter and easier to share, you can use a URL shortener service like bit.ly or tinyurl before copying it into WhatsApp. Paste the shortened version instead of the original. Remember that shortened links hide the real destination, so only use this with people you trust.
Do links expire or stop working after a certain time?
No. The link itself does not expire just because it is in WhatsApp. However, the webpage the link points to might be deleted, moved, or taken offline by the website owner. If someone tries to open an old link and gets an error, the website is no longer available — not WhatsApp.
Can I edit a link after I send it?
No. WhatsApp does not have an edit function for messages. If you send a link to the wrong person or want to change it, delete the message and send a new one. The recipient will see that the message was deleted, but they will not see what it contained.
Is it safe to send personal links like my location or a private document?
Links to your location or private documents should only go to people you trust completely. Anyone with the link can access it if the document is shared publicly. Check your privacy settings on the service hosting the document (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to make sure only the people you intend can view it.