How to Share Play Shorts via Link on Google Play
Step-by-step guide to share Google Play Shorts links so friends on Android, iOS, or the web can view the clip.
You found a short video preview of a new app or game inside Google Play and want to send it to a friend who does not use Android. The latest Play Store update makes that possible with a simple link.
Google Play Store version 53.8, released on 26 October 2026, adds the ability to share Play Shorts via a link. Recipients can open the clip on Android devices, non-Android phones such as iOS, and in a web browser. This removes the earlier limit that required an Android phone just to view the content.
Play Shorts are the vertical, full-screen video feed inside the Play Store that shows apps and games in action. Developers upload these short clips to help people discover and try software before they install it. The feed first appeared in March 2026 and is currently rolling out mainly in the United States.
If you also want to save gameplay moments, our guide on capturing the last 30 seconds with Sidekick Playbacks covers the related gaming feature that arrived in the same update.
Update the Play Store First
Sharing links requires Play Store version 53.8 or later. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then choose Settings. Scroll to About and check the version number. If an update is available, install it and restart the app.
The feature is rolling out gradually, so it may not appear on every phone the same day. Keep the Play Store updated and check again later if the share option is missing.
Open the Play Shorts Feed
Once the store is current, find the Shorts section:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone.
- Tap the Apps tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Look for the Shorts section near the top or in the feed. Tap it to open the full-screen vertical videos.
You can also open the feed directly in a browser by going to play.google.com/store/shorts. On a phone the app is usually faster and shows the native share controls.
Swipe up or down to browse the clips. Each Short typically shows an app or game in use, with a clear button to install or open it.
Share a Play Short via Link
When you find a clip you want to send:
- Pause or keep playing the Short in the full-screen view.
- Look for the share icon (usually a curved arrow) on the screen or in the three-dot menu.
- Tap Share.
- Choose Copy link to place the URL on your clipboard, or select a messaging app such as Messages, WhatsApp, or email to send it directly.
The link points to that specific Play Short. Anyone who opens it on Android, iOS, or the web can watch the clip without needing the Play Store app installed first. On the web it loads in the browser. On iOS it plays in the mobile browser or the Google Play app if the recipient has it.
After the person watches, they can still tap through to the app listing and install if they like what they see. This makes the link useful both for personal recommendations and for developers who want more people to encounter their app outside the store.
What the Link Contains
The shared link opens the individual Play Short. It does not force an install. The recipient sees the same vertical video and the related app information. Google notes that viewers on Android, non-Android devices, and the web can all access it.
Availability still follows the overall Play Shorts rollout. Because the feature is mainly in the United States right now, a link sent to someone in another country may not play until Google expands the region. Check the official Play Store page for the latest geographic notes.
Tips for Better Sharing
Send the link while the Short is still fresh. The feed updates with new developer uploads, so an older clip might be replaced or removed.
If you are a developer, manage your own Play Shorts inside Play Console under Grow users > Store presence > Play Shorts. Upload there instead of Google Drive. The shared links from users help surface those clips more widely.
Pair a Short with context. When you message the link, add a short note about why you liked the app. That raises the chance the recipient actually watches and installs.
On low-storage phones, clear the Play Store cache if the feed fails to load after the update. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage and tap Clear cache.
Watch a Related Google Play Overview
The Android Developers channel published a session covering new Play features announced around the same period. It gives context on how discovery tools, including video, fit into the store.
Cross-Platform Viewing Changes App Discovery
Sharing Play Shorts by link turns an Android-only discovery tool into something you can send to anyone. Friends on iPhones or desktop browsers can watch the same preview and decide whether to install. Developers gain another path for their short videos to reach potential users.
Update to Play Store 53.8, open the Shorts feed from the Apps tab, tap the share icon on a clip you like, and copy or send the link. The recipient can view it on Android, iOS, or the web. That single change removes the platform barrier that previously limited these previews.
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