The simplest way to send a link
To send a link in WhatsApp, open the chat where you want to send it, tap the text field, paste or type the web address, and tap send. WhatsApp recognizes most web addresses automatically — if you type or paste something starting with http://, https://, or www., it will turn into a clickable link that the person receiving it can tap to open in their browser.
You do not need to do anything special. A link is just text. The only difference between sending "hello" and sending "https://www.example.com" is that WhatsApp formats the second one so the other person can tap it instead of typing it out.
If you are copying a link from another app or website, the process is the same: copy it where you found it, switch to WhatsApp, open the chat, tap the text field, paste, and send.
Key Takeaways
- Any web address you paste or type into WhatsApp becomes a clickable link automatically — you do not need to format it or use special commands.
- On iPhone, use the share button in Safari or another app and select WhatsApp from the menu to send a link directly without copying and pasting.
- On Android, the share button works the same way — tap share in your browser or app, then choose WhatsApp and the chat you want to send to.
- Links you send appear as previews in the chat, showing the page title and a small image, so the other person can see what they are about to open.
Sending a link from Safari or your phone's browser
If you are reading something in Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android and want to send the page to someone in WhatsApp, you can use the share button instead of copying the address manually. Open the page, tap the share button (the square with an arrow pointing up on iPhone, or the three dots menu on Android), scroll through the options, and tap WhatsApp.
A menu will appear showing your recent chats and groups. Tap the one where you want to send the link. The page address will be sent when ready, usually with a preview showing the page title and a thumbnail image. This method is faster than copying and pasting, especially if the web address is long or complicated.
On some Android phones, the share button is in a different location depending on which browser you use. In Chrome, it is usually the three vertical dots in the top right corner. In Samsung Internet, it is also the three dots. If you cannot find it, look for any button labeled "Share" or an icon that looks like a box with an arrow.
Sending a link from other apps
Most apps on your phone have a share button that works the same way. If you find a video on YouTube, a news article in your news app, a product on a shopping app, or a social media post, you can tap share and select WhatsApp to send it directly to a chat or group.
When you share from another app, WhatsApp usually includes more information than just the web address — it might add the video title, the article headline, or a description of what you are sharing. This gives the person receiving it context without them having to click the link first.
The share button location varies by app, but it is usually near the top or bottom of the screen. Look for an icon that looks like a box with an arrow, or a button labeled "Share". If you cannot find it, try tapping the three dots menu (on Android) or the three horizontal lines (on iPhone).
What happens when you send a link
When you send a link in WhatsApp, the app automatically creates a preview. This preview shows the page title, a short description if one exists, and a small image from the page. The other person sees this preview in the chat before they click anything, so they know what they are about to open.
Sometimes the preview takes a few seconds to load, especially on a slow connection. If the preview does not appear after a minute or two, the link was still sent — the preview just failed to load. The other person can still tap the link and open it in their browser.
If you send a link to a group chat, everyone in the group will see it and can tap it. The link itself does not expire or change — it works the same way whether you send it to one person or fifty people.
Sending links on WhatsApp Web and Desktop
If you use WhatsApp on your computer through WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, sending a link works the same way. Open the chat, click in the message field, paste the web address, and press Enter. The link will appear as a preview just like it does on your phone.
On a computer, you can also drag and drop a link from your browser directly into the WhatsApp chat window on some versions of the app. This is faster than copying and pasting if you have both windows open side by side.
To use WhatsApp Web, open web.whatsapp.com in your browser on a computer. You will need to scan a QR code with your phone the first time you connect. After that, your chats will sync to the web version, and you can send links the same way you do on your phone.
Troubleshooting links that will not send
If you try to send a link and it does not go through, the most common reason is a poor internet connection. WhatsApp needs to connect to the internet to send any message, including links. Check that you are connected to WiFi or mobile data, and try again.
If the link contains special characters or is very long, WhatsApp should still send it, but occasionally a malformed web address will not work. If you copied the link from somewhere and it will not send, try typing it manually or copying it again from the original source.
If WhatsApp crashes when you try to send a link, close the app completely and open it again. If the problem continues, restart your phone. These steps fix most temporary problems with the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other person see where the link came from?
No. They only see the web address and the preview WhatsApp creates from it. They cannot see what app you were using when you sent it or where you found the link. If you want them to know the context, you can type a message before or after the link explaining what it is.
What if the link is broken or the page no longer exists?
WhatsApp will still send it. The other person will see the link and the preview, but when they tap it, their browser will show an error page. There is no way for WhatsApp to know if a link is broken before someone clicks it.
Can I send a link to a group chat?
Yes. Send it the same way you would send it to a single person. Everyone in the group will see the link and the preview, and anyone can tap it to open it.
Does the person I send a link to have to have WhatsApp installed?
No. WhatsApp sends the link as a regular message. If they have WhatsApp, they will see it in the chat. If they do not have WhatsApp, they will not receive the message at all — WhatsApp only works between people who both have the app.
Can I edit or delete a link after I send it?
You can delete the entire message containing the link by long-pressing it and selecting delete. On some versions of WhatsApp, you can also edit a message shortly after sending it. Tap and hold the message, select edit, change the link, and send the updated version.