The simplest way to send 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. The recipient will see the full URL and can tap it to open the website. On most phones, the link will appear as a clickable blue underline — you do not need to do anything special to make it clickable.
The exact steps depend on whether you use iPhone or Android, but the principle is identical: copy, paste, send. Most text messaging apps handle links the same way, whether you are using the built-in Messages app, WhatsApp, Signal, or another service.
If the link is very long and looks messy in the message, you can shorten it first using a free service like bit.ly or tinyurl.com. This is optional — a long link works just as well, but a short one looks cleaner and is easier to type if someone needs to copy it by hand.
Key Takeaways
- Copy the web address from your browser's address bar, then paste it directly into a text message — no special formatting needed.
- The recipient's phone will automatically recognize the link and make it clickable, even if you send it as plain text.
- Long links work fine, but you can shorten them first using a free service like bit.ly if you want the message to look cleaner.
- Text messages with links are not encrypted by default on most phones, so avoid sending sensitive information this way.
How to copy a link on iPhone
Open Safari or your web browser and navigate to the page you want to share. Tap the address bar at the top of the screen — it will highlight in blue. Press and hold on the highlighted address, then tap Copy from the menu that appears.
Open the Messages app and create a new message or open an existing conversation. Tap in the text field at the bottom, then press and hold until a menu appears. Tap Paste to insert the link. The address will appear in the message. Tap the send button (the arrow or up arrow, depending on your iOS version) to send it.
If you want to add text before or after the link, type your message first, then paste the link at the end. You can also paste it in the middle — the phone will recognize it as a link regardless of where it sits in the message.
How to copy a link on Android
Open Chrome, Firefox, or your default browser and go to the page you want to share. Tap the address bar at the top and hold your finger on the URL until it highlights. A menu will appear with options including Copy — tap it.
Open your text messaging app (usually called Messages, SMS, or Messaging). Start a new conversation or open an existing one. Tap the text field at the bottom and hold your finger there until a menu appears. Tap Paste to insert the link. Type any additional message you want to include, then tap the send button.
Android phones work the same way as iPhones for this task — the link will automatically become clickable when the recipient receives it. You do not need to format it or add any special characters.
Shortening a long link before sending
If a link is extremely long — for example, a URL with many parameters or a search result — you may want to shorten it first. Open a browser and go to bit.ly or tinyurl.com. Paste your long link into the text field on that site and click the button to generate a short version. Copy the shortened link and paste it into your text message instead.
Shortened links look cleaner in messages and are easier for someone to type manually if they need to. However, they are not necessary — a long link works exactly the same way. Use a shortener only if the URL is so long that it looks confusing or takes up most of the message.
Be cautious with shortened links from unknown sources. If someone sends you a shortened link and you do not recognize who sent it or why, hover over it (on a computer) or ask them what it links to before you tap it. Shortened links hide the actual destination, which is why they can sometimes be used to hide malicious websites.
Why text message links are not encrypted
Standard text messages (SMS) are not encrypted, which means the link and any text around it can be read by your phone carrier and potentially intercepted. If you are sending a link to a sensitive website or one that requires a login, consider using an encrypted messaging app like Signal or WhatsApp instead.
Most messaging apps offer better security than SMS. WhatsApp, Signal, and iMessage all use end-to-end encryption, which means only you and the recipient can see the message and the link. If privacy is important for what you are sharing, use one of these apps instead of standard text messaging.
What happens when the recipient receives the link
When you send a link in a text message, the recipient's phone automatically detects it and displays it as a clickable link — usually in blue and underlined. They can tap it directly to open the website in their browser. They do not need to copy and paste it or do anything special.
On iPhone, the link will open in Safari (or whatever browser is set as default). On Android, it will open in Chrome or the default browser. The recipient can also press and hold the link to see options like "Open in New Tab" or "Copy Link" if they want to do something other than open it when ready.
If the link does not appear as clickable, it may be because the phone did not recognize it as a URL — this is rare with standard web addresses, but it can happen if the link is broken or malformed. In that case, the recipient can still copy and paste it into a browser manually.
Sending links through messaging apps instead of SMS
If you use WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or another messaging app, sending a link works the same way: copy the address, paste it into the message, and send. These apps often add a preview of the webpage below the link, showing the title and a thumbnail image. This preview is helpful because the recipient can see what the link is before they tap it.
Messaging apps also let you add a caption or description above the link. For example, you can type "Check out this article about gardening" and then paste the link below it. SMS text messages work the same way — you can type text and a link in the same message.
One advantage of messaging apps is that they preserve the link if the recipient wants to share it further. If you send a link through WhatsApp, the recipient can forward the entire message (including the link) to someone else. With SMS, they can still forward it, but some phones handle this less smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add http:// or https:// to the beginning of a link?
No. When you copy a link from your browser's address bar, it already includes the protocol. When you paste it into a text message, the phone will recognize it as a link and make it clickable. You do not need to add or remove anything.
What if the link has special characters or spaces in it?
Copy and paste the entire link exactly as it appears in the address bar. The phone will handle special characters correctly. Do not try to edit or clean up the link — changing even one character can break it and make it unusable.
Can the recipient see where a shortened link goes before they tap it?
Not easily. Shortened links hide the actual destination. On a computer, you can hover over the link to see the full URL in the bottom corner of the browser. On a phone, you usually cannot see the destination without tapping it. If you are unsure about a shortened link someone sent you, ask them what it links to.
Will the link work if my phone does not have internet?
The link will send fine without internet, but the recipient will need internet to open it. Text messages themselves do not require data — they use your phone's cellular connection. However, opening a website requires an internet connection on the recipient's end.
What is the difference between sending a link in SMS versus iMessage or WhatsApp?
SMS is not encrypted, while iMessage and WhatsApp use encryption. SMS also does not show a preview of the webpage. Otherwise, the link works the same way in all three — the recipient taps it to open the website. Choose based on privacy needs and whether you want a preview to appear.