# Clean Links

> Cleans and resolves shortened URLs, removing tracking tokens. (iPhone/iPad app by Brett Terpstra.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clean-links/id623671942 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Brett Terpstra](https://appshunter.io/developer/448925442)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 22 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.1 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-09-16
- Data updated: 2026-06-04
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clean-links/id623671942/reviews.md

## What is Clean Links?

Clean Links cleans & resolves URLs that have been shortened or proxied. It also removes unneeded tokens such as UTM components. 

Finally you can share & email links without having to load it in a browser or edit the URL yourself.

Simply load the application and it will automatically detect  & clean the url on your clipboard, putting the resulting URL back onto your clipboard, ready to use.

Clean Links also fully supports the X-Callback-URL Scheme. Which means it's compatible with apps such as:

* Things
* Tweetbot
* Drafts
* Notesy
* LaunchCenter Pro
* and more!

## Key features

- Cleans and resolves shortened URLs
- Removes tracking tokens (e.g., UTM)
- Automatically detects URL on clipboard
- Copies cleaned URL to clipboard
- Supports X-Callback-URL Scheme
- Compatible with popular productivity apps

## Recent user reviews (10 of 22)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clean-links/id623671942/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Essential for preserving privacy

*2024-08-02, version 1.5*

If you don’t want sites like TikTok being able to see who you share links with (and then build relationship nets for their ad networks) you need to run share-links through this app and cull the resulting extraneous tags in the URLs that identify you.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2024-02-26, version 1.5*

Does not seem to be working with FB links

### 1/5 — Malware

*2023-06-24, version 1.5*

This app displays a fake "your iphone has been hacked" message.

Uninstall (using Force-Quit to avoid clicking the noitifcation).

### 5/5 — Tiny and useful

*2022-07-31, version 1.5*

Cleans garbages links. Product managers have to invent something new this time. Thank you!

### 5/5 — Quietly essential

*2022-07-22, version 1.5*

You should have this app. 

I just used this app again today, and was so appreciative I sat down to write this review. 

I don’t remember when I got this app, but it’s been quite awhile. It sits on my phone ready to go. It is so easy to use that when you do use the app it can be easy to over look what a great and well designed app it is. 

It cleans almost every link I give it; reading the paste buffer, cleaning, and pasting back to the buffer in a flash.  I wish every app was this good. 

I know the app hasn’t been updated in awhile but don’t let that deter you. It does everything you need it to and works on iOS 15.5.

My thanks to the developer.

### 5/5 — Fantastic url cleaner

*2021-05-11, version 1.5*

This is awesome. Copy link, open app, and it automatically pastes, cleans, and copies the cleaned link for you. Beautiful performance, 10/10.

### 5/5 — Brett is the best

*2021-05-04, version 1.5*

If you have a Mac and a bit of computer literacy, you have to check out his site/GitHub/apps, etc

### 4/5 — Great app but needs improvement

*2021-04-12*

A couple of improvements would be nice to see
1. An option to open safari from the cleaned URL
2. Open the app from share menu when tapping a link

### 5/5 — Essential Utility

*2020-09-21, version 1.5*

This is one of those hidden gems that does one thing really well. It’s an essential app to have on your phone if you’re at all concerned about privacy.

I’d love to see the developer update it for iOS beyond iOS 8. I’m no dev, so I can’t say what would be within the realm of possibility to do, but I’d for sure buy a paid version of this app if that’s what it took. (And gift it to most of my friends & family.)

There’s currently a shortcut that automates the cleaning of a link using this app, which is great, but I can’t help but wonder what else the app might be capable of.

### 4/5 — Splash screen

*2014-11-05, version 1.5*

Now with all the splash screens that survived the 1990s.

## Frequently asked questions about Clean Links

### What is Clean Links?

Clean Links is a utility app that automatically cleans and resolves shortened or proxied URLs, removing unnecessary tracking tokens like UTM components. It then places the cleaned URL directly onto your clipboard for easy sharing.

### Is Clean Links free to use?

Yes, Clean Links is completely free to download and use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What devices does Clean Links support?

Clean Links is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

### How often is Clean Links updated?

The app was last updated on November 4, 2014, to version 1.5. It was initially released on September 16, 2013.

### What is the age rating for Clean Links?

Clean Links has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### Can Clean Links integrate with other apps?

Yes, Clean Links fully supports the X-Callback-URL Scheme, allowing it to integrate with apps like Things, Tweetbot, Drafts, Notesy, and LaunchCenter Pro.

### What do users think of Clean Links?

Users generally have a positive view of Clean Links, as indicated by its high rating of 4.6 stars from 16 ratings.

### Does Clean Links require an internet connection?

While the description doesn't explicitly state offline functionality, the core feature of cleaning URLs from the clipboard suggests it may not require a constant internet connection for basic operation, though resolving some links might.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2014-11-04

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- iOS 8 Fixes & Updates
- UI Refresh & Cleanup
- x-callback-url tweaks & some edge cases handled
- Various bugs squashed

I know, I know, this isn't the update you want, but my other product ( new son ) is taking priority. I've got some really great stuff planned for Clean Links 2.0, so stay tuned.

### 1.1.2 — 2014-03-27

- Scrubbing mobile.* URLs in addition to m.* URLs

### 1.1.1 — 2014-02-18

- Support for stripping m. prefixes from resolved urls. Can be turned off in the settings app.

### 1.1 — 2013-12-24

Big thank you to all users our there, keep the feedback coming!

- iOS 7 Support "You ask why it don't matter / the app got flatter"
- New set of links to clean: Amazon & Wired
- Added setting to stop the app from putting the cleaned URL into the clipboard
- Assorted bug fixes & UI Tweaks.
- Updated 3rd party libraries.

### 1.0.2 — 2013-11-02

- User Feature Request: Now Cleaning Youtube Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWwT_taX8N4&app=desktop&desktop_uri=/watch?v=TWwT_taX8N4

Becomes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWwT_taX8N4

Mobile links are also resolved to desktop Youtube links.

## Apps similar to Clean Links

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [HomeDash](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homedash/id1003033186) | 4.5 (207) | $14.99 | Utilities |
| [StopTheScript](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stopthescript/id1588394487) | 4.6 (25) | $5.99 | Utilities |
| [Toast for Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/toast-for-safari/id1465707487) | 3.0 (3) | Free | Utilities |
| [Image Text OCR Photo Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/image-text-ocr-photo-scanner/id1499292605) | 4.7 (133) | Free | Utilities |
| [Esse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/esse/id1438921989) | 4.9 (56) | Free | Utilities |
| [Keyword Search](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keyword-search/id1558453954) | 4.6 (38) | $0.99 | Utilities |

## Related topics

[url genius](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/url-genius) · [link sanitizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/link-sanitizer)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-04.*
