Every link you make on shareit.onl comes with an expiry time. The default is 24 hours, but you can change it before you share. When the timer runs out and nobody is using the link, the file is permanently deleted from our servers. No leftover copies, no cleanup on your part.

The expiry options

When you upload a file, you pick how long the link should stay alive. Here are your choices:

Expiry option Best for Notes
1 hour Quick handoffs, one-time codes Shortest and safest window
24 hours Everyday sharing The default choice
3 days Weekend projects, slower replies A few days of slack
7 days Team files, long-lived downloads The longest window

If you are not sure, the 24-hour default works well for most people. A shorter window is usually safer because the file exists for less time. A longer window is handy when the other person may be busy or in a different time zone.

Once a link reaches its expiry time and no one is actively downloading from it, three things happen:

  • The link stops working for everyone.
  • The stored file is permanently deleted.
  • The short link and QR code no longer point to anything.

This is a one-way action. We do not keep a backup or a trash folder, so a deleted file cannot be brought back. If you still need to share it, just upload it again and create a fresh link.

Does the timer ever change on its own?

Yes, in a good way. shareit.onl uses a 24-hour keep-alive. Every time someone downloads your file, the link's life is extended by another 24 hours. A link that people keep using stays available, while a link nobody touches expires right on schedule. You can read more in what is the 24-hour keep-alive on links?.

So the expiry you pick is really a minimum lifetime. The link will not vanish while people are still downloading from it.

Choosing the right length

Think about who needs the file and how fast they will grab it. A short expiry keeps your file private and cuts the chance of an old link floating around. A longer expiry means fewer "the link died" messages.

Tip: A shorter expiry keeps a file exposed for less time, so pick 1 hour or 24 hours for anything sensitive. Save 7 days for when the other person may be slow to download.

Here is a quick checklist to help you decide:

For a deeper look at picking a window, see our guide on how long a share link should last.

Extra controls you can add

Beyond expiry, you can also:

  • Add an optional password so only people with the code can open the file.
  • Turn on delete after first download (a one-time or "burn" link) so the file is removed the moment it is downloaded once.
  • Share with a short link or scan-friendly QR code.

These controls stack with your expiry choice. For example, you can set a 7-day link that is also password protected. If you want the file gone even sooner than the schedule, see can I delete or cancel a link after sharing?.

Why shareit.onl works this way

Files that live forever are a privacy risk. By deleting files at expiry, we make sure old links do not become a way for strangers to reach your data months later. It also keeps things free and simple, since there is no account to manage and nothing to remember to clean up. To see the full flow from upload to deletion, visit how it works.

Want to control not just how long but how many times a link can be opened? Read how many times can a link be downloaded? next, or browse more answers in our help guides. Note that shareit.onl is a free browser tool and is not affiliated with the SHAREit app.