Basic Questions
A single simple model powers short drama apps. Tiny vertical episodes are what you watch. The first few cost nothing. Coins or a pass unlock the later ones. That split creates most confusion. Start with these five answers.
What counts as a short drama app?
It streams vertical video that is made for phones. Many bite-size episodes make up each series. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama are the leaders. Billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals are favorite plot elements. Werewolf romances are common Spatial Lord Born Invincible too. China is where the format started, as duanju.
How long does an episode last?
Most come in at one to two minutes. Productions in the West often aim for 60 to 100 seconds. Usually, a series runs to 20 to 100 episodes. For Married at First Sight, ReelShort lists 90. Double Life, a ReelShort hit, lists 60. In length, a full series can rival a movie.
Why do episodes stop right at cliffhangers?
Free episodes usually end right there. 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. That timing is exactly the business model. It is also a leading viewer complaint.
Who owns ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
ReelShort is a Crazy Maple Studio app, and the studio is in Sunnyvale, California. Behind that studio is China’s COL Group. DramaBox is operated by StoryMatrix of Singapore, itself part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology. Behind My Drama is Holywater, founded in Kyiv in 2020. An equity stake went to Fox Entertainment in October 2025. ReelShort launched in 2022, DramaBox in 2023.
Can I watch on a browser or a TV?
Yes, with limits. ReelShort’s website lets you log in with Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok or email. Your progress stays in sync with the app. Free unlocks are possible only in the app. There is an Apple TV app for My Drama. We could find no verified ReelShort TV app.
Cost
Money is the topic people ask about most. All figures reflect US App Store prices as of September 2026. They differ according to country, platform and promotion. Treat each number as approximate. Before anything else, always check the pricing screen. This is what listings show.
Is ReelShort free to use?
Partly, and the free part is genuinely free. The catch is what people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” want. Downloading costs nothing. The opening episodes are free. Later episodes need coins or a VIP pass. Free coins come from ads and check-ins.
How do coins actually work?
Episodes are unlocked with coins, the in-app currency. ReelShort’s blog prices an episode at roughly 60 coins. For about $4.99, the smallest pack gives you 500 coins. Bigger packs throw in bonus coins. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes. A 7-day check-in streak brings 100+ coins.
Do coins expire?
It depends on the app. According to ReelShort, free reward coins usually expire. Coins you paid for do not. My Drama takes a different approach. Its terms say coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Use reward coins first and stay active.
What does a weekly pass cost?
The usual price in the US is about $19.99 a week. That price appears on ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Some apps include cheaper tiers. ShortMax lists a $9.99 tier, and GoodShort’s pricing starts near $5.99. Every one of these passes renews automatically. Four forgotten weeks cost four times as much.
Are there any monthly or yearly plans?
They exist in some apps. ReelShort’s blog prices a yearly plan at around $199.99. Its monthly price is not the same on every page. So we treat that figure as unconfirmed. DramaWave’s listing shows about $36.99 a month. In the US, ShortMax lists weekly passes only.
Is it possible to watch without paying?
Yes, as long as you are patient. Begin with each series’ free opening episodes. Watch rewarded ads to open up more. Don’t break your daily check-in streak. ReelShort also has official YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion channels. Combining all four stretches furthest.
Subscriptions and How to Cancel
A weekly pass keeps renewing until you stop it. That comes as a surprise to plenty of people. Once you know where to go, cancelling is quick. The right place depends on how you paid. Stores handle store purchases. Companies deal with website purchases.
Does deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No, and this is a common mistake. Removing an app does not end its subscription, according to Apple. Google states the same thing about uninstalling. That warning is repeated in My Drama’s terms. Until you cancel, the pass renews. Cancel first, delete afterward.
How can I cancel on iPhone?
Open the Settings app first. Tap on your name at the top. Select Subscriptions after that. Tap the drama app. Tap Cancel and then confirm it. Do it a day before renewal to be safe.
How do I cancel a subscription on Android?
Open the Google Play Store app. Find your Subscriptions list. There, pick the short drama app. Tap Cancel, then follow the prompts. Keep in mind that uninstalling cancels nothing. Recheck the list once more to confirm the change.
Can I cancel from inside the app?
Sometimes, though the store route is safer. ShortMax’s terms point to an in-app option under About Subscription. They direct store buyers to App Store or Google Play. Apple and Google can only control what they billed. If you bought on the website, reach out to the company. Take a screenshot of every cancellation.
Why did I get charged after a free trial?
The way trials are worded can be confusing. ShortMax’s developer admits that its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels puzzled people. Under its terms, passes renew 24 hours before they expire. You pay the same price for the renewal. One day before any trial ends, cancel. Then check that the store shows it as cancelled.
Refunds and Money Back
Who took your money decides how refunds work. Apple handles App Store charges. Play charges go through Google. Companies deal with website charges. A refund is not guaranteed by any route. Each path is mapped in this table.
| Where the payment was made | Cancelling | Where to seek a refund | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | Apple’s Report a Problem site | Deleting the app does not cancel it |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, and after that 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?
Begin on Apple’s Report a Problem page. Use the paying Apple ID to log in. Choose the charge, then explain briefly. A reply from Apple usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. Apple decides, not the app developer. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How do Google Play refunds work?
What matters most here is timing. Within 48 hours of purchase, Google says you may get a refund. Go directly through Google Play to request it. Once that window closes, contact the developer. ReelShort directs users to Profile, then Feedback. When a renewal surprises you, act fast.
What about website purchases?
Those purchases go through the app company. Neither Apple nor Google can help there. Under My Drama’s terms, web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires. Its terms give a 14-day withdrawal right to EU and UK users. Each other company sets its own rules. Before you pay online, check the terms.
Can I get a refund for unused coins?
Usually not, and the terms make that clear. Coin purchases are final, under My Drama’s terms. ShortMax will not refund unless its own fault makes a product unusable. With accidental purchases, a store request may help. Until a series hooks you, buy the smallest pack. Mistakes then cost less.
Safety and Copycat Apps
Name mix-ups are everywhere here. A misspelling can lead to small unrelated apps. A few of the downloads are unsafe. Some sites mimic well-known brands. Real names protect your money. The answers below sort real from fake.
Is Real Short a real app?
No, we could not find one. Real Short is simply ReelShort misspelled. Other misspellings are “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and likely “shot shorts”. The correct name comes as a single word. The seller shown on the App Store is New Leaf Publishing. Check that before you download.
What are ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV?
All three are small, unrelated apps. ReelBox, found via “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, has 50K+ Android installs. It is not linked to ReelShort or DramaBox. Often typed “daily short”, DailyShort has 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV is an app for Android TV that has 10K+ installs. Most people searching probably mean GoodShort.
Are ShortTV and ShortMax one and the same?
Very likely, although it is unconfirmed. SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong is ShortMax’s legal entity. Visitors to its website land on ShortTV’s site. The two launched in September 2023. We could not find an official rename announcement. Unrelated apps also show up when you search “short tv” or “short max”.
Is it safe to use mod APKs and coin generators?
No, and not one is official. Mod APKs are modified app copies from outside official stores. An unofficial modified version is how one DramaBox look-alike labels its download. Coin generators are likewise unofficial. You can’t verify what they actually do. Stay with official stores and websites.
Why is ReelShort rated low on Trustpilot?
On Trustpilot, ReelShort’s page shows 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Charges after cancelling are a recurring complaint. Weekly auto-renewals often come up. Other reviewers mention coin prices and denied refunds. Any review site reflects those who chose to post. Treat it as a list of things to check, not a verdict.