Getting Started
One simple model powers short drama apps. You watch tiny vertical episodes. You get the first few for free. Coins or a pass pay for the later ones. Most confusion comes from that split. These five answers are the place to start.
What counts as a short drama app?
It serves up vertical video made for phones. Each series is divided into many tiny episodes. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama lead the field. Storylines favor billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals. Werewolf romances are popular too. The format started out in China, where it is called duanju.
How long does each episode run?
Most run one to dramas online two minutes. Western shoots often target 60 to 100 seconds. A series typically runs 20 to 100 episodes. ReelShort’s listing for Married at First Sight shows 90. The hit Double Life series on ReelShort lists 60. A full series can run as long as a movie.
Why do episodes stop at cliffhangers?
Usually, that is where the free episodes run out. ReelShort states that the first 5 to 15 are usually free. Industry reporting mentions a figure of 8 to 10. The lock tends to fall at peak suspense. The business model is that timing. It is also a leading viewer complaint.
Which companies own ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
The owner of ReelShort is Crazy Maple Studio in Sunnyvale, California. That studio is backed by China’s COL Group. DramaBox is operated by Singapore’s StoryMatrix, part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology. Holywater is behind My Drama and was set up in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment took an equity stake in October 2025. In terms of launch dates, ReelShort arrived in 2022, and DramaBox in 2023.
Can I watch in a browser or on TV?
Yes, with limits. My Drama has an Apple TV app. We did not find a verified ReelShort TV app. Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok and email logins are all offered on ReelShort’s website. Progress stays in sync with the app. Only the app handles free unlocks.
Costs
The most frequent questions are about money. The figures reflect US App Store prices as of September 2026. They change by country, platform and promotion. Always look at the pricing screen first. Consider every number approximate. Below is what the listings show.
Is ReelShort actually free?
Partly, and the free part is genuinely free. Anyone searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” wants the catch. You get the opening episodes free. It costs nothing to download. For later ones, you need coins or a VIP pass. Watching ads and checking in gets you free coins.
How do coins work?
Coins act as the currency that opens episodes. ReelShort’s blog prices an episode at about 60 coins. Its smallest pack offers 500 coins for about $4.99. Bigger packs add extra coins. You earn 100+ coins from a 7-day check-in streak. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes.
Do coins ever expire?
It depends on the app. ReelShort says free reward coins usually expire. Coins you bought do not. My Drama handles coins differently. Under its terms, coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Use reward coins first, and stay active.
What is the price of a weekly pass?
In the US, the common price is about $19.99 a week. It is listed by ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Cheaper tiers appear in some apps. ShortMax lists $9.99, while GoodShort starts at about $5.99. These passes all renew on their own. Forget for four weeks and you pay four times as much.
Are there any monthly or yearly plans?
A few apps offer them. ReelShort’s blog prices a yearly plan at roughly $199.99. Different pages give different monthly prices. So that figure remains unconfirmed. DramaWave lists a monthly price of about $36.99. In the US, ShortMax shows only weekly passes.
Is it possible to watch without paying?
Yes, provided you are patient. Start with each series’ free opening episodes. Rewarded ads open up more. Don’t break your daily check-in streak. ReelShort also runs official YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion channels. Using all four together goes furthest.
Subscriptions and How to Cancel
A weekly pass renews until you stop it. That comes as a surprise to plenty of people. Cancelling is quick once you know where. How you paid determines the place. Purchases made in a store are cancelled by that store. Website purchases are handled by the company.
Will deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No, and this is a common mistake. According to Apple, removing an app does not end its subscription. Google states the same thing about uninstalling. The same warning shows up in My Drama’s terms. The pass keeps renewing until you cancel. Cancel first, delete afterward.
How do I cancel on iPhone?
Open the Settings app first. Tap on your name at the top. Choose Subscriptions after that. Pick the drama app in the list. Tap Cancel, then confirm. Do it a day before renewal to be safe.
How do I cancel on an Android phone?
To start, open the Google Play Store app. Go to your Subscriptions list. There, select the short drama app. Tap Cancel, then follow the prompts. Do not forget that uninstalling cancels nothing. Recheck the list to make sure of the change.
Can I cancel from inside the app?
Sometimes, but the store route is the safer bet. ShortMax’s terms mention an in-app option under About Subscription. Store buyers are pointed to App Store or Google Play. Only what Apple and Google billed is under their control. If you bought on the website, reach out to the company. Screenshot every cancellation.
Why did I get charged after a free trial?
Trial wording can be confusing. ShortMax’s developer admits its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people. Passes renew 24 hours before expiry, according to its terms. The renewal costs the same price. A day before any trial ends, cancel. Then check that the store shows it as cancelled.
Refund Questions
How refunds work depends on who took your money. App Store charges are handled by Apple. Play charges are handled by Google. Companies deal with website charges. No route can guarantee a refund. Each path is mapped in this table.
| Where the payment was made | Cancelling | Refund route | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | The Report a Problem page from Apple | Deleting the app does not cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, then the developer | Uninstalling does not cancel |
| Website | Your account or support at the app company | The app company only | Often non-refundable, per My Drama’s terms |
How do I request an Apple refund?
Head to Apple’s Report a Problem page. Log in using the Apple ID that was charged. Select the charge and give a brief explanation. A reply from Apple usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. Apple, not the app developer, decides. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How do Google Play refunds work?
What matters most here is timing. Google says you may get a refund within 48 hours of purchase. Request it via Google Play directly. When that window is over, contact the developer. ReelShort users are pointed to Profile, then Feedback. If a renewal surprises you, act fast.
What happens with website purchases?
Those purchases go through the app company. Apple and Google cannot help with those. My Drama’s terms treat web purchases as non-refundable except where law requires. Its terms offer a 14-day withdrawal right to EU and UK users. Each other company sets its own rules. Read the terms before paying online.
Can I get a refund for unused coins?
Usually not, and that is in the terms. Under My Drama’s terms, coin purchases are final. ShortMax will not refund unless its own fault makes a product unusable. Store requests may help with accidental purchases. Until a series grabs you, stick to the smallest bundle. That way, mistakes cost less.
Look-Alike Apps and Safety
Name mix-ups are everywhere here. Misspelled names send you to small unrelated apps. A few of the downloads are unsafe. Certain sites imitate big brands. Real names safeguard your money. These answers sort the real from the fake.
Is there an app called Real Short?
No, not that we could locate. ReelShort is the correct spelling, and Real Short is a misspelling of it. So are “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and probably “shot shorts” too. The real name is a single word. New Leaf Publishing is its App Store seller. Make sure of that before downloading.
What are the ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV apps?
They are minor, unrelated apps. ReelBox, which people find via “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, shows 50K+ Android installs. It has nothing to do with ReelShort or DramaBox. DailyShort, often typed “daily short”, shows 100K+ installs. With 10K+ installs, GoldShort TV is an Android TV app. Most people searching probably mean GoodShort.
Are ShortTV and ShortMax one and the same?
Very likely, but unconfirmed. The legal entity behind ShortMax is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Visitors to its website land on ShortTV’s site. Both debuted in September 2023. No official rename announcement turned up. A search for “short tv” or “short max” also surfaces unrelated apps.
Is it safe to use mod APKs and coin generators?
No, and not a single one is official. Mod APKs are altered app copies from outside official stores. One DramaBox look-alike labels its download as an unofficial modified version. Coin generators are unofficial too. What they do is something you cannot verify. Stick to the official stores and websites.
Why is ReelShort rated low on Trustpilot?
ReelShort’s Trustpilot page shows 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. A frequent complaint is being charged after cancelling. Weekly auto-renewals are often mentioned. Other reviewers mention coin prices and denied refunds. Any review site reflects people who chose to post. Treat it as a list of things to check rather than a verdict.