Quick Answer: To access a link, just tap it on your phone or click it on a computer. Most links open in your browser straight away. If the link is only showing as text and you can’t click it, copy the full URL, paste it into the browser address bar and press Enter or Go.
Opening a link sounds like a basic thing, and most of the time it is. But there are a few situations where it gets confusing. Maybe someone sent you a link on WhatsApp and it isn’t opening. Or you copied a web address from somewhere but you’re not sure where to paste it.
Sometimes the link itself works but the page asks you to sign in. You might also see a message saying you need permission before you can view the file. That doesn’t always mean something is broken.
This article will show you how to open a link on your phone or computer, how to copy and paste a URL into a browser and what you can try when a link doesn’t open properly.
How to Access a Link on Your Phone
If the link is clickable, you don’t need to do much. Open the message, email or page where you found it and tap the link once.
Your phone should then open the page in a browser. On many Android phones that’s Chrome, while iPhones often use Safari. If you’ve changed your default browser, it may open somewhere else instead.
Some links don’t open in a browser at all. A YouTube link might take you straight into the YouTube app, for example. The same thing can happen with maps, social media and other apps already installed on your phone.
If your phone asks which app you want to use, just pick the one that makes sense. You can also choose your browser if you’d rather open the page there.
The basic process is simple:
- Find the link in the message or email.
- Tap it once.
- Choose a browser or app if your phone asks.
- Wait for the page to load.
If tapping the link doesn’t do anything, don’t worry. You can copy it and open it manually, which we’ll get to below.
How to Access a Link on a Computer
On a computer, move the mouse over the link and click it once. It should open in your browser, usually in the same tab or a new one depending on the website.
If you don’t want to leave the page you’re already reading, right-click the link and choose Open link in new tab. I use this quite a lot when I’m reading one page but want to check another without losing my place.
You may also come across a web address that looks like this:
- https://example.com/page
If you can click it, great. If it’s just plain text, copy the address and paste it into your browser instead.
How to Copy and Open a Link Manually
This is probably the easiest fix when a link refuses to open normally.
On a phone, press and hold the link or URL until a small menu appears. Then tap Copy. On a computer, highlight the full address, right-click and choose Copy.
Now open Chrome, Safari, Edge or whichever browser you normally use. Tap or click the address bar at the top. On some phones the address bar may be at the bottom, so don’t worry if you don’t see it in the usual place.
Paste the link there, then press Enter or Go. That’s it.
One small thing to watch for is a broken or incomplete URL. If someone copied only part of a long link, the page might show an error even though you did everything right. In that case, ask them to send the full link again.
Opening Links From Email or Messaging Apps
Most links sent through WhatsApp, Messenger, email or normal text messages are clickable. You tap them and the page opens.
Some apps keep you inside their own browser first. You may notice a small menu with an option such as Open in browser or Open in Chrome. Either way is fine for normal links.
Now and then, a link looks correct but doesn’t respond inside the app. Copying it into your regular browser can fix that. This happens more often with long links or addresses that were pasted badly into a message.
It’s also worth checking who sent the link. If it comes from a friend and you were expecting it, no big deal. If it comes from a random number asking you to log in somewhere or make a payment, I’d be much more careful.
What If the Link Asks You to Sign In or Request Access?
This catches a lot of people out because the link actually opened, but they still can’t see what’s inside.
Say someone shares a private document with you. You open the link and instead of the file, you get a sign-in page. In that case you may need to log in with the same email address the owner gave access to.
Using another account can make it look like the link isn’t working when the real problem is just permission.
If you see something like Request access, that usually means the file or page is private and your account hasn’t been added yet. Send the request and the owner can approve it.
So if a link opens but you can’t get past the permission screen, don’t start changing browsers or reinstalling apps straight away. The link may be fine. You just don’t have access yet.
What to Do If a Link Does Not Open
Before trying anything complicated, check a few simple things.
Make sure your internet is actually working. Open another website or app and see if it loads. If nothing else works either, the problem may be your connection.
If the internet is fine, try copying the link into your browser manually. You can also open it in another browser. Sometimes a page doesn’t behave well in one browser but opens normally in another.
There are a few other things worth checking:
- Make sure the full URL was copied.
- Reload the page once if it gets stuck.
- Sign in if the website asks for an account.
- Ask the sender if the link has expired.
- Try a fresh link if the old one keeps showing an error.
If every other website opens normally and only this one link fails, chances are the problem is with that link or the website itself.
Check a Link Before You Open It
You don’t need to panic every time someone sends you a link, but a quick look at the address is still a good habit.
Be extra careful with links from unknown people, especially when the message is asking for a password, card details or some kind of payment. Fake websites sometimes use names that look very close to the real one. One extra letter can be enough to fool someone who isn’t paying attention.
If you’re unsure, don’t enter anything sensitive. Close the page and open the real website yourself by typing its address into the browser.
For normal links from people you trust, you probably won’t have any issue. It’s just better to check before giving away personal information.
FAQs
How Do I Access a Link Someone Sent Me?
Tap the link on your phone or click it on a computer. If it doesn’t open, copy the URL and paste it into your browser.
How Do I Open a Link on My Phone?
Tap the link once. Your phone should open it in a browser or the related app.
What Does Request Access Mean?
It means the page or file is private. The owner needs to give your account permission before you can view it.
Why Won’t a Link Open?
The link could be broken, expired or incomplete. It could also be a browser or internet issue, so try opening it manually in another browser.
Can I Open a Link Without Clicking It?
Yes. Copy the full URL, paste it into the browser address bar and press Enter or Go.
Final Thoughts
Opening a link is usually pretty simple. Tap it on a phone or click it on a computer and the page should open. If that doesn’t happen, copying the URL into your browser is the easiest thing to try next.
If the page asks you to sign in or request access, the link may still be working fine. You probably just need the right account or permission from the owner.
If you’re stuck with a link right now, what happens when you open it? Does it show an error, stay blank or ask you to sign in?