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How Can I Send a YouTube Video via Text? The Definitive Guide

Want to share that hilarious cat video or that insightful documentary with a friend via text? You’re in the right place. Sending a YouTube video via text is remarkably simple, and this article will walk you through it, offering tips, tricks, and answers to common questions. It boils down to this: copy the video’s link from YouTube and paste it into your text message. That’s the core of it, but let’s dive deeper to ensure you’re doing it efficiently and effectively.

The Core Method: Copy and Paste the YouTube Link

The most straightforward method is the time-tested copy and paste approach.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Locate the Video: Open the YouTube app or website and find the video you want to share.
Copy the Link:
- On the YouTube App (Mobile): Tap the “Share” button below the video. A menu will appear with several options, including “Copy Link.” Tap “Copy Link.” The link is now on your clipboard.
- On the YouTube Website (Desktop): Look for the “Share” button below the video. Clicking it will reveal a shorter link. Click “Copy” next to the link. The URL is now copied to your clipboard. You can also copy the link directly from the address bar of your browser.
Open Your Text Messaging App: Navigate to your preferred text messaging app (e.g., Messages, WhatsApp, Signal).
Paste the Link: Open a new message or an existing conversation. Tap and hold in the text input field until a “Paste” option appears. Tap “Paste.”
Send the Message: The YouTube link will appear in the text field. You can add a message above or below it (e.g., “Check this out!” or “This explains everything!”). Press the “Send” button.

What the Recipient Sees:

The recipient will receive a text message containing the YouTube link. When they tap the link, it will typically open the YouTube app (if installed) or their mobile browser, directing them to the video. On some phones, the text message app itself will generate a preview of the video, making it even more enticing to click.

Alternative Sharing Options within YouTube

YouTube offers additional built-in sharing features that streamline the process, particularly within the mobile app.

Using the “Share” Button Directly to Apps:

Locate the Video and Tap “Share”: As before, find the video and tap the “Share” button.
Choose Your Messaging App: Instead of selecting “Copy Link,” the “Share” menu will often display icons for various messaging apps installed on your phone (e.g., Messages, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger).
Select the Recipient: Tapping one of these app icons will often directly open that app and allow you to select a contact to share the video with, inserting the link automatically.
Send: Review the message and hit send within the messaging app.

This method eliminates the intermediate step of copying and pasting, making the sharing process even faster.

Shortening the YouTube Link

While pasting the full YouTube link works, it can be long and visually unappealing in a text message. Consider using a URL shortener to create a cleaner-looking link.

How to Shorten a YouTube Link:

Copy the YouTube Link: As outlined in the previous sections.
Use a URL Shortening Service: There are many free online URL shorteners available, such as TinyURL, Bitly, or Rebrandly. Simply go to one of these websites or apps.
Paste and Shorten: Paste the long YouTube link into the designated field on the URL shortener’s website or app and click the “Shorten” or equivalent button.
Copy the Shortened Link: The service will generate a shorter link. Copy this shortened link.
Paste into Text Message: Paste the shortened link into your text message and send.

Benefits of Shortening Links:

Aesthetics: Shortened links look cleaner and less cluttered in text messages.
Character Count: In some messaging systems with character limits, a shortened link can save valuable characters.
Tracking: Some URL shorteners offer link tracking features, allowing you to see how many people have clicked on the link.

Considerations for Different Devices and Platforms

The process of sharing a YouTube video via text is generally consistent across different devices and platforms, but there may be slight variations.

iOS (iPhone/iPad):

The steps outlined above work seamlessly on iOS devices. The “Share” sheet is well-integrated, making it easy to copy links or share directly to messaging apps.

Android:

Android devices also offer similar functionality. The “Share” button within the YouTube app and the standard copy-and-paste actions are readily available.

Desktop Computers:

Sharing from a desktop computer is even simpler since you can easily copy the URL directly from the browser’s address bar.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the process is usually straightforward, you might encounter occasional issues.

Link Not Working:

Incorrect Copying: Double-check that you have copied the entire link correctly. Even a missing character can break the link.
Link Corruption: Occasionally, copying and pasting can corrupt the link. Try copying it again.

Video Not Playing:

Recipient’s Device: The recipient’s device may not have the YouTube app installed or may have an outdated browser that doesn’t support YouTube videos.
Internet Connection: A weak or unstable internet connection on the recipient’s end could prevent the video from playing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about sharing YouTube videos via text:

1. Is it possible to send a YouTube video via SMS (text message) if the video is private?

No, you cannot send a private YouTube video via text to someone who doesn’t have permission to view it. Private videos are only accessible to users who have been specifically granted access by the video’s owner. Sharing the link with someone without permission will result in them being unable to view the video. They would see an error message indicating that the video is private.

2. Can I send a YouTube video to a group text message?

Yes, you can send a YouTube video link to a group text message just like you would to an individual. Everyone in the group will receive the link and be able to click it to watch the video.

3. How do I send a YouTube video at a specific starting time?

When sharing a video, append ?t=XmYs to the end of the URL, where X is the number of minutes and Y is the number of seconds. So, to start at 1 minute and 30 seconds, the appended text would be ?t=1m30s. The complete URL might look like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID?t=1m30s. This can be done directly on the YouTube website or app before copying the link. The recipient’s video will begin playing at that specific time.

4. Will sending a YouTube video via text use my data?

Yes, sending the link itself uses a small amount of data. However, the primary data usage occurs when the recipient clicks the link and streams the video on YouTube. Encourage them to use Wi-Fi if they’re concerned about data consumption.

5. Can I embed a YouTube video directly into a text message?

Generally, no. Text messaging services typically only support sending text and multimedia (images, audio, video) files. You can send the YouTube link, which acts as a pointer to the video, but you cannot directly embed the video within the text message. Certain rich messaging services (like RCS) might offer more advanced features in the future, but this is not standard practice currently.

6. What if the YouTube video is age-restricted?

If the YouTube video is age-restricted, the recipient will need to be logged into a YouTube account that meets the age requirements to view the video. Sending the link itself is the same process, but the recipient’s ability to view the video depends on their YouTube account settings.

7. Is it possible to send a YouTube Shorts video via text?

Yes, sending a YouTube Shorts video via text is the same as sending a regular YouTube video. Just copy the link to the Shorts video and paste it into your text message. The recipient will be directed to the Shorts video within the YouTube app or website.

8. I’m having trouble copying the link on my phone. What can I do?

Ensure you’re tapping the “Copy Link” button within the YouTube app or using the “Share” button to access the copy option. If you’re still having trouble, try restarting your phone. Sometimes, temporary glitches can interfere with the copy-and-paste functionality.

9. Can I see who clicked on the YouTube link I sent via text?

Not directly through standard text messaging. However, if you use a URL shortening service that offers link tracking (like Bitly), you might be able to see the number of clicks, but not the specific individuals who clicked.

10. Is it legal to share YouTube videos via text?

Yes, it is perfectly legal to share YouTube videos via text as long as the video itself doesn’t infringe on any copyrights or contain illegal content. Sharing a link to a publicly available video on YouTube is a standard and accepted practice.

11. The video I sent isn’t showing a preview in the text message. Why?

Some messaging apps automatically generate a preview of the YouTube video when you send the link. However, this feature isn’t always reliable and depends on the messaging app, the recipient’s phone settings, and network conditions. Sometimes, it may take a few moments for the preview to appear. If it doesn’t, the recipient can still click the link to watch the video.

12. Can I schedule a text message with a YouTube video link to be sent later?

Yes, some messaging apps allow you to schedule text messages. For example, on Android, you can use apps like Google Messages or third-party apps to schedule a message with the YouTube link. On iOS, you would typically need a third-party app for this functionality. Search the app store for “schedule text message” to find suitable options.

Sharing YouTube videos via text is a simple and effective way to connect with friends and family. With these tips and answers, you’re well-equipped to share your favorite content seamlessly. Happy sharing!