Best Apps to Save Links on Android (and Pocket Alternatives)
You save an Instagram post, a YouTube video or a PDF someone sent you on WhatsApp… and when you need it, it's nowhere to be found. If that sounds familiar, it isn't a lack of discipline: everything just ends up in a different app. Here are the Android apps that fix that, and how they differ.
Why saved links get lost
Almost every app has its own "save" button: Instagram's saved posts, YouTube's Watch Later, WhatsApp's starred messages, Chrome's bookmarks. The trouble is that each list lives inside its own app, you can't sort them by topic, and if the app changes or shuts down, they're gone.
A link-saving app brings all of that into one place. From any app you tap Share, pick the link app, and it's saved with its title and image, in the folder you choose.
What happened to Pocket?
Pocket, Mozilla's read-it-later app, shut down in July 2025. Lots of people used it for exactly this, and they've been looking for an alternative ever since. Every app on this list does the same core job: save from the Share button and find it again later.
The apps, one by one
Raindrop.io
A very complete bookmark manager: collections, tags, filters and search, with apps for Android, iPhone, the web and browser extensions. It saves links, articles, videos and PDFs, with a paid plan for advanced features.
Pick it if you want the same bookmarks on your phone and your computer, and you like organizing with tags.
Link: Bookmark Manager & Saver
Saves URLs from any app through the share menu, generates automatic previews, organizes them in color-coded folders and lets you lock private folders with your fingerprint.
Pick it if you only need links and want something simple and visual.
Gatherly
A lightweight option to save links instantly from social media or Chrome and sort them by category or tag. Mostly designed to stop piling up open browser tabs.
Pick it if you want something quick for "read later".
Files by Google
Not a link app, but Google's file manager. It's here because many people use it to keep phone documents at hand: it has a Safe Folder protected by a PIN or pattern for confidential files.
Pick it if what you need is to organize and protect files, not save links.
Linkalia
Linkalia keeps links and documents in the same place: links from Instagram, YouTube or TikTok, recipes, places, and also PDFs, photos and Word documents. Everything is saved from the Share button of any app (WhatsApp, Instagram, Chrome, Files…) into collections with categories.
- No sign-up and no ads. You don't need to create an account or give your email.
- Private items stay on your phone and work offline. There's a trash bin and backups.
- Import your bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari: each folder becomes a category.
- Share a collection as a Channel (others can only view, great for students or clients) or as Collaborative (everyone adds and edits, great for planning a group trip).
- Export as a web page: people without the app open it in any browser.
It's free, with an optional Pro plan if you need more space or more shared collections. For now it's Android only.
Pick it if you want links and documents in one place, or want to share them with a group.
Quick comparison
| Raindrop.io | Link | Gatherly | Files by Google | Linkalia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saves links | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Saves documents and photos | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| From the Share button | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Share collections with others | Yes | — | — | — | Yes (Channel or Collaborative) |
| Works without an account | No | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| Computer and iPhone | Yes | — | — | — | No (Android only) |
"—": we couldn't verify it. Other apps' features may change; check their Google Play listing.
How to save Instagram posts so you don't lose them
With any of these apps the trick is the same:
- On the post, tap the paper plane (Share).
- Scroll to the end and pick the link app (in Linkalia, you also choose the collection and category).
- The link is saved with its title and image, outside Instagram. Even if the post is deleted, you'll still know what it was and who posted it.
It works the same with YouTube, TikTok, Chrome or links people send you on WhatsApp. The video tutorials show it step by step.
Try Linkalia for free. Keep your links and documents in one place and find them when you need them.
Get it on Google Play