How to Password Protect Any Link: URLs, Short Links and Sharing Limits

To add a password step before someone opens a URL, create a new protected link and share it instead of the original address. LOCK.PUB can wrap a website, document-sharing URL, meeting invitation or existing short link.

The URL shortener with password protection provides the basic form: paste a destination, set a password and copy the new link. A recipient enters that password before the original website opens.

What a protected link changes

LOCK.PUB controls the wrapper you share. It does not change the file, encrypt the destination website or add a password requirement to the original URL itself. After unlocking, a recipient can see and copy the destination. Someone who already knows the original URL can visit it directly.

Keep Google Drive permissions, meeting passcodes and other destination access controls in place. For Drive-specific instructions, use the Google Drive password gate.

Create a protected short link

1. Open the password-protected URL shortener.
2. Paste the full destination URL.
3. Set an unlock password.
4. Keep the public label neutral: it appears before unlocking, so do not put the destination or confidential details there.
5. Create and copy the new LOCK.PUB link.
6. Send the password through a separate channel.

Recipients do not need a LOCK.PUB account. The destination website may still ask them to sign in or request access.

Can I password-protect an existing TinyURL or Bitly link?

You can paste an existing short URL as the destination, then distribute the new LOCK.PUB link. The sequence becomes:

LOCK.PUB link → password → existing short URL → destination website.

This adds a password step only to the new link. It does not modify or disable the old short URL, remove its analytics, or skip any preview, advertising or additional redirects it may show. People who still have the old link can use it independently. When possible, wrap the final destination directly to keep the redirect chain simple.

For the choice between public short links and private handoffs, read TinyURL vs LOCK.PUB.

Add expiry, an access limit or a custom URL

The focused shortener creates a reusable link using the standard settings. Use the full link creator for the optional controls available on your plan, including custom slugs, expiration and access limits on paid plans.

• Custom slug: choose a recognizable path when your plan supports it. It is visible to recipients, so avoid private identifiers.
• Expiration: stop future access through the LOCK.PUB wrapper after a chosen time.
• Access limit: stop future unlocks through the wrapper once its allowed count is used.

These controls do not revoke the original URL or erase downloaded or copied content. Read the expiration settings guide before relying on a deadline.

Free use and access records

Guest use allows 3 links per month; connecting a Free account allows 5 per month across content types. Pro removes the monthly creation limit. Rate limits still apply. Check the plan page for current features.

Successful unlocks can produce access records. Basic dashboard counts are available, with more detailed analytics on paid plans. The URL is encrypted in storage, but this server-processed URL flow is not end-to-end encryption or a zero-log service. See the privacy policy and the shortener privacy guide.

Common questions

Does the destination stay hidden after unlocking?

No. The password step prevents revealing the URL through the wrapper before unlock. It does not permanently mask the browser's address bar or stop an authorized recipient from copying the destination.

Does an expired link delete the original document?

No. It stops future access through that LOCK.PUB wrapper. Change the original site's permissions if you also need to revoke access there. Temporary link sharing explains the difference.

Can I change the destination or password later?

Paid-plan dashboard controls support editing protected links. Free users should create a new link when they need to change it. Editing the wrapper cannot retract an original URL that recipients already copied.

Is a separate password enough for a private document?

Use it as an additional sharing step. Keep the document's own permissions restricted, share the password separately and assume recipients can save material they are allowed to open.

Create a password-protected short link, or use the Password-Protected Link Generator when your sharing task needs advanced settings.

If you are comparing tools or received a link from the separate Link Lock project, read Link Lock passwords and how LOCK.PUB compares.

For public-sharing and restricted-sharing examples, read URL Shortener vs Password-Protected Link.