The Basics
Every short drama app uses the same simple model. Bite-size vertical episodes are what you watch. You get the first few for free. Beyond those, episodes cost coins or a pass. Most confusion traces back to that split. Start with the five answers below.
What is a short drama app?
It delivers vertical video that is built for phones. Many bite-size episodes make up each series. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama are the leading apps. Plots tend to https://mydrama.org/ favor billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals. Werewolf romances also enjoy broad popularity. The format started in China as duanju.
What is the length of each episode?
Most run one to two minutes. 60 to 100 seconds is a common target for Western shoots. A series usually runs to 20 to 100 episodes. For Married at First Sight, ReelShort lists 90. Double Life, a ReelShort hit, lists 60. A complete series can be as long as a movie.
Why do episodes cut off at cliffhangers?
That is usually where free episodes end. The first 5 to 15 are usually free, ReelShort says. Reports from the industry cite 8 to 10. The paywall tends to land at peak suspense. That timing is essentially the business model. It is also one of the top viewer complaint.
Who are the owners of ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
Crazy Maple Studio in Sunnyvale, California owns ReelShort. That studio is supported by China’s COL Group. DramaBox is run by Singapore’s StoryMatrix, a part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology. Holywater is behind My Drama and was set up in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment picked up an equity stake in October 2025. ReelShort launched in 2022, DramaBox in 2023.
Can I watch on a browser or a TV?
Yes, but with limits. There is an Apple TV app for My Drama. We could find no verified ReelShort TV app. On ReelShort’s website, you can log in with Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok or email. Progress stays in sync with the app. You can get free unlocks only in the app.
Costs
The most frequent questions are about money. The figures show US App Store prices as of September 2026. Country, platform and promotion all affect them. Take every number as approximate. Always start by looking at the pricing screen. This is what listings show.
Is ReelShort free?
Partly, and the free part is genuinely free. What people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” want is the catch. There is no charge for the download. Opening episodes are free. Later ones require coins or a VIP pass. Ads and check-ins earn free coins.
How does the coin system work?
The currency that unlocks episodes is coins. ReelShort’s blog sets an episode at roughly 60 coins. Its smallest pack offers 500 coins for roughly $4.99. Bigger packs come with bonus coins. Two episodes unlock after one rewarded ad. You earn 100+ coins from a 7-day check-in streak.
Do the coins expire?
The answer depends on the app. ReelShort says free reward coins usually expire. Coins you bought do not. My Drama handles this differently. Its terms say coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Spend reward coins first and keep active.
What is the price of a weekly pass?
The usual US price is about $19.99 a week. You will see it listed by ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Cheaper tiers appear in some apps. 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.
Are there monthly or yearly plans?
They exist on some apps. According to ReelShort’s blog, a yearly plan costs roughly $199.99. The monthly price differs from page to page. So we treat that figure as unconfirmed. DramaWave lists a monthly price of about $36.99. Only weekly passes show up for ShortMax in the US.
Is it possible to watch without paying?
Yes, if you are patient. Start with each series’ free opening episodes. Use rewarded ads to unlock more. Keep up a daily check-in streak. There are also official ReelShort channels on YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion. Using all four together goes furthest.
Managing and Cancelling Subscriptions
A weekly pass renews until you stop it. Many people do not expect that. Once you know where, cancelling is quick. How you paid decides the place. Stores cancel store purchases. Each company handles purchases made on its website.
Does deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No, and this mistake is common. Apple says removing an app does not cancel its subscription. Google makes the same point about uninstalling. My Drama’s terms include the same warning. The pass keeps renewing until you cancel. First cancel, then delete.
How do I cancel on an iPhone?
Open the Settings app to begin. Next, tap your name at the top. Then go to Subscriptions. Select the short drama app. Tap Cancel and confirm your choice. To stay safe, act a day before renewal.
How do I cancel a subscription on Android?
Open the Google Play Store app. Find your Subscriptions list. Select the short drama app there. Tap Cancel and follow the steps shown. Remember, uninstalling does not cancel anything. Look at the list again to confirm the change.
Can I cancel within the app?
Sometimes, but the store route 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. Website buyers should get in touch with the company. Keep a screenshot of every cancellation.
Why was I billed after a free trial?
The wording of trials can confuse. ShortMax’s developer acknowledges its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people. According to its terms, passes renew 24 hours before expiry. The renewal comes at the same price. Cancel one day before any trial ends. Then confirm the store shows it cancelled.
Refunds and Money Back
The refund route depends on who took your money. App Store charges are handled by Apple. Google takes care of Play charges. The companies handle their own website charges. None of these routes guarantees a refund. This table lays out every path.
| Where you paid | Cancelling | Refund path | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | Apple’s Report a Problem page | Deleting the app does not cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, and after that the developer | Uninstalling does not cancel |
| Website | The app company’s account page or support | The app company alone | Often non-refundable, as My Drama’s terms state |
How can I get an Apple refund?
Begin on Apple’s Report a Problem page. Log in using the Apple ID that paid. Pick the charge and explain in a few words. A reply from Apple usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. It is Apple that decides, not the app developer. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How does a Google Play refund work?
Timing is the biggest factor here. Within 48 hours of purchase, Google says you may get a refund. Go directly through Google Play to request it. Contact the developer after that window. ReelShort tells users to go to Profile, then Feedback. Move fast if a renewal catches you by surprise.
What about buying on the website?
Those are handled by the app company. Apple and Google cannot help in that case. Web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires, according to My Drama’s terms. Its terms offer a 14-day withdrawal right to EU and UK users. Other companies set their own rules. Before paying online, read the terms.
Can unused coins be refunded?
Usually not, and the terms say so. Under My Drama’s terms, coin purchases are final. ShortMax turns down refunds unless its own fault makes a product unusable. With accidental purchases, a store request may help. Buy the smallest pack until a series hooks you. That way, mistakes cost less.
Look-Alike Apps and Safety
Name mix-ups are everywhere here. A misspelling can lead to minor unrelated apps. Some sites imitate well-known brands. A few downloads are unsafe. Real names protect your money. The answers below sort real from fake.
Is Real Short a real app?
No, not as far as we could find. ReelShort is the correct spelling, and Real Short is a misspelling of it. The same goes for “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and probably “shot shorts” too. The real name is one word. The seller shown on the App Store is New Leaf Publishing. Make sure of that before downloading.
What are the ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV apps?
These are small, unrelated apps. Found via “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, ReelBox has 50K+ Android installs. It has nothing to do with ReelShort or DramaBox. DailyShort, often typed “daily short”, shows 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV, an Android TV app, has 10K+ installs. Most people searching probably mean GoodShort.
Is ShortTV the same as ShortMax?
Very likely, though unconfirmed. ShortMax’s legal entity is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Its website sends visitors on to ShortTV’s site. Each went live in September 2023. There is no official rename announcement that we found. A search for “short tv” or “short max” also brings up unrelated apps.
Are mod APKs and coin generators safe to use?
No, and none are official. Mod APKs are modified app copies from outside official stores. One DramaBox look-alike labels its download as an unofficial modified version. Coin generators are not official either. There is no way for you to verify what they do. Use official stores and websites only.
Why is ReelShort’s Trustpilot rating low?
On Trustpilot, ReelShort’s page shows 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Being charged after cancelling is a common complaint. Weekly auto-renewals are often mentioned. Others bring up coin prices and refused refunds. Any review site reflects people who chose to post. Read it as a checklist rather than a verdict.
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