Read QR Code from Image
Scan QR codes from a photo or screenshot right on your computer or phone.
1. Use the shortener’s own preview
Most popular link shorteners have a preview page that shows you where a link leads without redirecting you:
- Bitly: Add a
+to the end of the link (for example,bit.ly/abc123+) and open it. - TinyURL: Replace the beginning of the URL with
preview.tinyurl.com/, followed by the code.
Copy the link without opening it by long-pressing or right-clicking. Edit it in the address bar, then press Enter.
2. Use a redirect checker
Link expanders and redirect checkers follow the chain of redirects and show every intermediate URL and the final destination without opening the page in your browser. VirusTotal also checks the URL against dozens of security databases, and Google Safe Browsing site status tells you if a domain has been flagged as dangerous.
If you use the terminal, you can see the first destination with curl -sI followed by the link: the Location header shows the URL it redirects to without loading the page.
3. Check before you tap on your phone or computer
- Phone: Press and hold the link. Your device will show the full URL and options like copying it, without opening it.
- Computer: Hover over the link to see the URL in the bottom corner of your browser or email app.
- QR code: Instead of opening it directly, take a screenshot or photo and use the image QR code reader. It displays the content as text so you can check it first.
4. What to check in the final URL
- The actual domain: It’s the part right before the first slash. In
banco.com.br.seguro-login.top/entrar, the domain isseguro-login.top, not the bank’s. - Misspellings and swapped letters (such as “rn” instead of “m”) in a brand name.
- Requests for a password, code, or payment right after you follow a link from a message. Go through the official app or type in a URL you know.
Got a bill or payment link? Check it with our payment link checker before paying. To learn what happens behind the scenes with short links, read How link shorteners work.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to open a shortener’s preview?
Yes. The preview page only shows the destination URL, so you can decide whether to open it. Don’t open a short link directly if it came from an unknown source.
What if a short link redirects several times?
Scams often chain multiple redirects to make them harder to analyze. A redirect checker shows the entire chain. Be cautious if the final URL has nothing to do with the person or organization that sent the message.
Can’t antivirus software and your browser protect you?
They help: browsers block sites that have already been flagged as dangerous. But new fake sites can take hours to make it onto those lists. Checking the domain is still your best defense.