Enable signed URL support by defining a named route in routes/web.php or routes/api.php; 2. Generate a signed URL using URL::temporarySignedRoute with an expiration time and route parameters; 3. Verify the signature via the 'signed' middleware or manually using $request->hasValidSignature() in the controller; 4. Customize expiration and include additional parameters as needed, knowing that any parameter change invalidates the signature; 5. Use URL::signedRoute for non-expiring signed URLs sparingly due to security risks; additionally, during testing, use URL::withoutSignedRoutes() to bypass signature checks, ensuring secure, time-limited access to protected resources is both simple and reliable when following these steps.
Signed URLs in Laravel are a secure way to generate time-limited, tamper-proof URLs for routes — perfect for granting temporary access to protected resources, like downloadable files, password reset links, or one-time actions.

Here’s how to use them effectively.
? 1. Enable Signed URL Support in Your Routes
To use signed URLs, first make sure your route is defined in the routes/web.php
file (or routes/api.php
if using Laravel Sanctum with API authentication), and that it’s accessible via a named route.

Example route:
// routes/web.php use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route; Route::get('/download/{file}', [DownloadController::class, 'download'])->name('download.file');
Now, Laravel can generate a signed URL for this route.

? 2. Generate a Signed URL
Use the signedRoute()
method on the URL
facade to generate a signed URL. You can set an expiration time (optional).
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\URL; $expiresAt = now()->addMinutes(30); $url = URL::temporarySignedRoute( 'download.file', // Route name $expiresAt, // Expiration time ['file' => 'example.pdf'] // Route parameters );
This generates a URL like:
https://yourapp.com/download/example.pdf?expires=...&signature=...
Only someone with this exact URL can access the route — and only before it expires.
? 3. Check if a Request Has a Valid Signature
In your controller, use the hasValidSignature()
method (via middleware or manually) to verify the request.
Option A: Use Middleware (Recommended)
Apply the signed
middleware to your route:
Route::get('/download/{file}', [DownloadController::class, 'download']) ->name('download.file') ->middleware('signed');
If the signature is missing, invalid, or expired, Laravel will automatically return a 403 Forbidden
response.
Option B: Manual Check in Controller
public function download(Request $request, $file) { if (!$request->hasValidSignature()) { abort(403, 'Invalid or expired signature.'); } // Proceed with file download return response()->download(storage_path("app/{$file}")); }
? 4. Customize Expiration and Parameters
You can adjust expiration times or add extra parameters:
$url = URL::temporarySignedRoute( 'download.file', now()->addHours(1), ['file' => 'report.pdf', 'user' => 123] );
The signature includes all parameters — changing any query parameter invalidates it.
? 5. Reusable Signed URLs (Without Expiry)
If you want a signed URL that doesn’t expire, use signedRoute()
instead:
$url = URL::signedRoute('download.file', ['file' => 'always-accessible.pdf']);
Still secure against tampering, but no time limit.
?? Only use non-expiring signed URLs when absolutely necessary.
Bonus: Testing Signed URLs
When testing, you can disable signature validation in your TestCase
class:
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\URL; // In your test setup URL::withoutSignedRoutes();
This lets you test the route logic without worrying about signatures.
Basically, signed URLs are a clean, Laravel-native way to securely share access without authentication. Just remember to:
- Use named routes
- Add the
signed
middleware (or validate manually) - Set reasonable expiration times
- Never expose sensitive data without signing
That’s it — secure, simple, and built right into Laravel.
The above is the detailed content of How to use signed URLs in Laravel?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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