Migrate from Bitly to Flyn
Export your Bitly links, import into Flyn, and update your DNS, all in under 10 minutes
Last updated: April 2026
Pre-Migration Checklist
Complete these steps before starting the migration to ensure a smooth transition.
- 1Export all links from Bitly as CSV and verify the file downloaded correctly (note: CSV export requires a paid Bitly plan, free users need to manually copy links or use the API)
- 2Document your current custom domain DNS settings (screenshot recommended)
- 3Note any links with special routing rules or redirects
- 4Ensure your Flyn account is on the right plan for your link volume
- 5Notify your team about the upcoming migration window
Step 1: Export from Bitly
First, export your existing links from Bitly so you can import them into Flyn.
Log in to your Bitly account
Log in to your Bitly account at bitly.com.
Open the Links section
Click Links in the left sidebar to see all your short links.
Export your links
Click the Export button at the top of your links list. Bitly will email you a CSV file with all your links. Note: Export is only available on paid plans.
Download the CSV
Bitly sends an email when the export is ready. Download the CSV file, it includes columns for long URL, short URL, slug, creation date, and tags. Free plan users will need to manually copy links or use the Bitly API to export.
Step 2: Import into Flyn
Upload your exported links into Flyn. The import wizard auto-maps columns and preserves your slugs.
Create a Flyn account
Sign up at flyn.to/signup, no credit card required. Free accounts can import up to 25 links.
Go to Dashboard > Import
Open the Flyn dashboard and click the "Import" button in the top navigation.
Upload your Bitly CSV
Drag and drop the exported CSV or click to browse. Flyn auto-maps Bitly columns (long_url, slug, tags) to the correct fields.
Review and confirm
Preview the imported links. Flyn preserves your original slugs, destination URLs, and tags. Click "Import All" to finalize.
Step 3: Domain & DNS Migration
Point your custom domain to Flyn so existing short links keep working seamlessly.
Find your current DNS record
In your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap, etc.), locate the CNAME record for your branded short domain (e.g., go.yourcompany.com).
Update the CNAME target
Change the CNAME value from cname.bitly.com to link.flyn.to, do not change the hostname.
Add your domain in Flyn
In the Flyn dashboard, go to Settings > Domains > Add Domain. Enter your branded short domain and click Verify.
Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes typically propagate within 5-30 minutes. Flyn will show a green checkmark once the domain is verified.
DNS Record Summary
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CNAME | CNAME |
| Host | go (or your subdomain) | go (no change) |
| Target | cname.bitly.com | link.flyn.to |
What Transfers
Here is what carries over from Bitly to Flyn and what needs to be reconfigured.
| Item | Transfers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Destination URLs | All long URLs are preserved exactly as-is | |
| Custom slugs | Your /my-slug paths carry over | |
| Tags | Tag labels map to Flyn tags | |
| Custom domains | Update CNAME from cname.bitly.com to link.flyn.to | |
| Click analytics | Historical analytics stay in Bitly, new clicks tracked in Flyn | |
| QR codes | Regenerate | QR designs do not transfer, regenerate free in Flyn |
| bit.ly short links | bit.ly is Bitly-owned, only custom domain links migrate |
Post-Migration Verification
After completing the migration, work through this checklist to verify everything is working.
- Verify 5-10 sample short links resolve to correct destinations
- Confirm custom domain shows a green checkmark in Flyn dashboard
- Check that new clicks are appearing in Flyn analytics
- Test QR codes if you regenerated them in Flyn
- Update any integrations or API calls to use Flyn endpoints
- Keep your Bitly account active for 30 days as a safety net
Troubleshooting
Common issues and how to resolve them.
Links returning 404 after migration
DNS propagation can take up to 30 minutes. Clear your browser cache and try again. Use a DNS checker tool (like whatsmydns.net) to verify the CNAME is pointing to link.flyn.to.
Old bit.ly links still go to Bitly
The bit.ly domain is owned and operated by Bitly, it cannot be migrated. Only links on your custom branded domain (e.g., go.yourcompany.com) will transfer. bit.ly links will continue working through Bitly.
Analytics showing zero clicks after import
Historical analytics from Bitly do not transfer. Flyn analytics start counting from the moment your domain points to link.flyn.to. Allow 5 minutes for the first clicks to appear in the dashboard.
CSV import showing mapping errors
Ensure your CSV uses UTF-8 encoding. If Bitly changed their export format, use the manual column mapping in the Flyn import wizard to match long_url, slug, and tags fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate from Bitly to Flyn?
Most migrations complete in 5-10 minutes. The actual import takes seconds, the majority of time is spent on DNS propagation for custom domains, which typically takes 5-30 minutes.
Will my existing short links break during migration?
If you use a custom domain, there is a brief window (usually under 5 minutes) during DNS propagation where some requests may not resolve. To minimize downtime, lower your DNS TTL to 60 seconds before switching the CNAME.
Can I migrate bit.ly links to Flyn?
No. The bit.ly domain is owned by Bitly and cannot be transferred. Only links on your own custom domain (like go.yourcompany.com) can be migrated by updating the CNAME record.
Do my Bitly analytics transfer to Flyn?
Historical click data stays in Bitly. Once your domain points to Flyn, all new clicks are tracked in Flyn's analytics with richer data including real-time streams, city-level geo, and A/B test metrics.
Can I keep using Bitly and Flyn simultaneously?
Yes. You can create new links in Flyn while keeping your Bitly account active. However, a custom domain can only point to one service at a time via CNAME.
Is there a limit on how many links I can import?
Free accounts can import up to 25 links. Flyn Pro supports unlimited link imports, there is no cap on CSV size or API bulk creation.
What happens to my Bitly API integrations?
You will need to update API calls to use Flyn's REST API. The endpoints and authentication differ, but Flyn's API covers all the same operations. See our API docs at flyn.to/docs for migration examples.
Ready to Migrate from Bitly?
Create a free Flyn account and import your links in minutes. No credit card required.