Basic Questions
One simple model powers short drama apps. Very short vertical episodes are what you watch. The first handful are free. Later ones cost coins or a pass. That split causes most confusion. Start with these five answers.
What is a short drama app, exactly?
It serves up vertical video made for Ben Armstrong short films phones. A series is broken into many tiny episodes. The storylines gravitate toward billionaires, revenge and identity reveals. Werewolf romances also have wide popularity. Out in front are ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama. The format began in China as duanju.
How long does each episode run?
Most clock in at one to two minutes. 60 to 100 seconds is a common target for Western shoots. A series typically spans 20 to 100 episodes. ReelShort lists 90 installments for Married at First Sight. The hit Double Life series on ReelShort lists 60. In length, a full series can rival a movie.
Why do episodes cut off at cliffhangers?
That is usually the spot where free episodes end. ReelShort notes that the first 5 to 15 are usually free. 8 to 10 is the figure cited in industry reporting. The lock tends to arrive right at peak suspense. The business model rests on that timing. It also ranks as a top complaint among viewers.
Which companies own ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
ReelShort is owned by Crazy Maple Studio in Sunnyvale, California. That studio is backed by China’s COL Group. Singapore’s StoryMatrix, part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology, runs DramaBox. My Drama is a Holywater app, and Holywater was founded in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment acquired an equity stake in October 2025. In terms of launch dates, ReelShort came in 2022, and DramaBox in 2023.
Can I watch in a web browser or on TV?
Yes, with limits. Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok and email logins are all offered on ReelShort’s website. Your progress stays in sync with the app. Only the app offers free unlocks. There is an Apple TV app for My Drama. We could find no verified ReelShort TV app.
Cost
Questions about money come up most. The prices below are from the US App Store as of September 2026. Country, platform and promotion all change them. Treat each number as a rough guide. Always check the pricing screen first. Here is what listings show.
Is ReelShort free?
Partly, and the free part is real. People searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” want to know the catch. It costs nothing to download. Opening episodes come free. For later ones, you need coins or a VIP pass. You can earn free coins from ads and check-ins.
How do coins actually work?
The currency that unlocks episodes is coins. An episode runs roughly 60 coins, according to ReelShort’s blog. The smallest pack runs about $4.99 for 500 coins. Larger packs add bonus coins. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes. A 7-day check-in streak earns 100+ coins.
Can coins expire?
That depends on the app. ReelShort says free reward coins usually expire. Coins you paid for do not expire. My Drama handles this differently. Its terms say coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Stay active and spend reward coins first.
What does a weekly pass cost?
In the US, the common price is roughly $19.99 a week. This price appears on ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Some apps list cheaper tiers. ShortMax lists $9.99, while GoodShort starts near $5.99. These passes all renew on their own. Four forgotten weeks cost four times as much.
Do apps offer monthly or yearly plans?
Some apps do offer them. ReelShort’s blog lists a yearly plan at around $199.99. Its monthly price is not the same on every page. So that figure remains unconfirmed. Roughly $36.99 a month is what DramaWave lists. In the US, ShortMax offers weekly passes only.
Can I watch without paying?
Yes, if you have patience. To begin, watch each series’ free opening episodes. Unlock more by watching rewarded ads. Keep a daily check-in streak going. There are also official ReelShort channels on YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion. Combining all four stretches furthest.
Subscriptions and Cancelling
Weekly passes keep renewing until you stop them. That catches out plenty of people. Cancelling takes little time once you know where. The place depends on how you paid. Store purchases are cancelled through the store. Purchases on a website are the company’s to handle.
Does deleting the app cancel the subscription?
No, and plenty of people make this mistake. Apple makes clear that removing an app does not end its subscription. Google makes the same point about uninstalling. My Drama’s terms echo that warning. Your pass keeps renewing until you cancel it. Cancel first, delete afterward.
How can I cancel on iPhone?
Open the Settings app first. Tap your name at the top. Then tap Subscriptions. Pick the drama app. Tap Cancel and then confirm it. For safety, act a day before the renewal date.
How can I cancel on Android?
First, open the Google Play Store app. Open your Subscriptions list. Select the drama app there. Tap Cancel and work through the prompts. Remember, uninstalling does not cancel anything. To verify the change, recheck the list.
Can I cancel from inside the app?
Sometimes, but cancelling through the store is safer. An in-app option under About Subscription is mentioned in ShortMax’s terms. For store buyers, they point to App Store or Google Play. Apple and Google only control what they charged for. Buyers on the website should contact the company. Keep a screenshot of every cancellation.
Why did I get charged after a free trial?
The way trials are worded can be confusing. ShortMax’s “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people, its developer admits. According to its terms, passes renew 24 hours before expiry. The renewal is charged at the same price. One day before any trial ends, cancel. After that, confirm the store shows it cancelled.
Getting Refunds
How refunds work depends on who took your money. App Store charges go through Apple. Play charges go through Google. Website charges go through the companies. A refund is not guaranteed by any route. The table below maps each path.
| Where the payment was made | How to cancel | Where to seek a refund | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | Apple’s Report a Problem page | Deleting the app won’t cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, later the developer | Uninstalling won’t 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 get a refund from Apple?
Apple’s Report a Problem page is where you start. Log in using the Apple ID that was charged. Pick the charge and explain briefly. Apple usually answers within 24 to 48 hours. Apple, not the app developer, makes the call. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How do refunds from Google Play work?
Timing is what counts most here. Google says you may get a refund within 48 hours of purchase. Make the request directly through Google Play. When that window is over, contact the developer. ReelShort users are directed to Profile, then Feedback. If a renewal surprises you, act quickly.
What about buying on the website?
Those purchases go through the app company. Apple and Google cannot help there. Under My Drama’s terms, web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires. Under its terms, EU and UK users have a 14-day withdrawal right. Other companies write their own rules. Check the terms before paying online.
Is it possible to refund unused coins?
Usually not, and the terms confirm it. My Drama’s terms treat coin purchases as final. ShortMax refuses refunds, unless its own fault renders a product unusable. With accidental buys, a store request may help. Stick to the smallest coin pack until a series grabs you. Any mistakes then cost less.
Staying Safe from Look-Alike Apps
Name confusion is everywhere here. Misspellings lead to little-known unrelated apps. A handful of downloads are unsafe. Some sites mimic well-known brands. Real names protect your money. These answers tell real from fake.
Is there an app called Real Short?
No, not as far as we could find. Real Short is a misspelling of ReelShort. Other misspellings include “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and likely “shot shorts”. The correct name is a single word. New Leaf Publishing is the App Store seller. Check that before you download.
What are ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV, exactly?
They are small apps, and they are unrelated. ReelBox, located through “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, counts 50K+ Android installs. It has no connection to ReelShort or DramaBox. Often typed “daily short”, DailyShort has 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV, an Android TV app, has 10K+ installs. Most searchers are likely looking for GoodShort.
Is ShortTV the same as ShortMax?
Very likely, though unconfirmed. ShortMax’s legal entity is registered as SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Visitors to its website land on ShortTV’s site. The two launched in September 2023. We could not find an official rename announcement. Searching “short tv” or “short max” also surfaces unrelated apps.
Is it safe to use mod APKs and coin generators?
No, and not one is official. Modified app copies from outside official stores are what mod APKs are. One DramaBox look-alike calls its download an unofficial modified version. Coin generators are also unofficial. There is no way for you to verify what they do. Only use official stores and websites.
Why does ReelShort have a low rating on Trustpilot?
ReelShort’s Trustpilot page lists 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Being charged after cancelling is a frequent complaint. Weekly auto-renewals are often mentioned. Others complain about coin prices and denied refunds. Any review site reflects those who chose to post. Read it as a list of things to check rather than a verdict.