URL Short How to shorten a URL on iPhone for free, without signing up
Open URL Short, paste the link into Enter URL, keep a free service such as is.gd selected and tap Shorten URL. That takes a second or two and hands back the short link plus its QR code, with no account and no key.
Why shorten a link at all?
Long links break across lines in messages, eat into character limits on social posts and look like spam in a bio or an email signature. A short link fits anywhere.
Most web shorteners want an account before they will even keep your links, which is exactly the friction this app is designed to avoid. On iPhone you can skip it: URL Short sends your link to a public shortening service and shows you the result, nothing to log in to, nothing to remember.
Which services work without an account or API key?
Four of the ten services in the app need nothing from you: is.gd, v.gd, CleanURI and Spoo.me. They are ready as soon as you install the app. The other six (Bit.ly, TinyURL, Cutt.ly, T.ly, Rebrandly and Short.io) need your own key from that service; you only add them if you already use them.
| Service | Needs your API key? | Custom ending (Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| is.gd | No | Yes |
| v.gd | No | Yes |
| CleanURI | No | No |
| Spoo.me | No | Yes |
| TinyURL | Yes | Yes |
| Bit.ly | Yes | Yes |
| Rebrandly | Yes | Yes |
| Short.io | Yes | Yes |
| Cutt.ly | Yes | No |
| T.ly | Yes | No |
How to shorten a link in the app
- Copy the long link from Safari, Mail, Notes or wherever it is.
- Open URL Short on the Shorten tab and paste it into Enter URL.
- Check the Shortening Service menu. is.gd is a good default; pick v.gd, CleanURI or Spoo.me if you prefer.
- Tap Shorten URL.
- The result appears under Shortened URL. Tap Copy to put it on the clipboard or Share to send it straight to a message or post.
Every link you make is saved in History with the original link, the service that made it, the page title the app detected and its QR code, so you can find it again later.
What happens if a service rejects your link?
Services sometimes refuse a link, for example because of their own rules on certain sites. When that happens, URL Short retries with the next available service on its own and tells you which one it used, so you still get a short link instead of an error.
The only case where it does not switch is when you asked for a custom ending, because that ending belongs to one particular service.
Can I shorten a link without opening the app?
Yes. In Safari or any app with a Share button, tap Share and choose URL Shortener. The link is shortened from the share sheet, and you can copy the result without switching apps.
Tips and common mistakes
- Paste the full link, including the part after the question mark if the page needs it. The shortener keeps whatever you give it.
- Test a new short link once before posting it widely.
- A short link hides where it goes, which is a real downside, not just a style choice. If you share with people who do not know you, say what the link is in the message.
- Shortening needs an internet connection. No signal, no short link, full stop.
Questions and answers
How can I shorten a URL for free?
Is there a shorten URL iOS Shortcut instead?
Is TinyURL free to use in the app?
Do the short links I make belong to URL Short?
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- How to make a QR code from a link on iPhone (and test it) · URL Short
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- How to check if a short link is still working (and why it breaks) · URL Short
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