Migrate from T.ly to Flyn
Export your T.ly 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 the T.ly dashboard as CSV and verify the file downloaded correctly (use the T.ly API if your plan limits CSV export)
- 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 T.ly
First, export your existing links from T.ly so you can import them into Flyn.
Log in to your T.ly account
Log in to your T.ly dashboard at t.ly.
Open the Links section
Click Links in the dashboard navigation to see all your short links.
Export your links
Use the Export option to download your links as a CSV file. The export includes the long URL, short link, slug, and tags. You can also pull links programmatically with the T.ly API if you prefer.
Download the CSV
Save the CSV file locally and open it to confirm it contains your destination URLs, slugs, and any tags. If your plan limits exports, use the T.ly API endpoint to list and download all your links.
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 T.ly CSV
Drag and drop the exported CSV or click to browse. Flyn auto-maps T.ly 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 your T.ly domain target 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 | t.ly | link.flyn.to |
What Transfers
Here is what carries over from T.ly 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 your T.ly domain target to link.flyn.to | |
| Click analytics | Historical analytics stay in T.ly, new clicks tracked in Flyn | |
| QR codes | Regenerate | QR designs do not transfer, regenerate free in Flyn |
| t.ly short links | t.ly is T.ly-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 T.ly 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 t.ly links still go to T.ly
The t.ly domain is owned and operated by T.ly, it cannot be migrated. Only links on your custom branded domain (e.g., go.yourcompany.com) will transfer. t.ly links will continue working through T.ly.
Analytics showing zero clicks after import
Historical analytics from T.ly 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 T.ly 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 T.ly 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 t.ly links to Flyn?
No. The t.ly domain is owned by T.ly 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 T.ly analytics transfer to Flyn?
Historical click data stays in T.ly. 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 T.ly and Flyn simultaneously?
Yes. You can create new links in Flyn while keeping your T.ly 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, and no monthly link ceiling like T.ly's tiers.
What happens to my T.ly 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 and adds webhooks. See our API docs at flyn.to/docs for migration examples.
Ready to Migrate from T.ly?
Create a free Flyn account and import your links in minutes. No credit card required.