Yes, it is possible to add attachments to WhatsApp messages. WhatsApp allows users to send various types of attachments like photos, videos, GIFs, documents, voice messages and contacts. Adding attachments to WhatsApp messages is easy and can be done on both Android and iOS devices.
How to add an attachment to a WhatsApp message on Android
Follow these steps to add an attachment to a WhatsApp message on Android:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat window where you want to send the attachment.
- Tap on the attach icon (paperclip icon) at the bottom left.
- A menu will open with the options – Gallery, Camera, Audio, Location, Contact etc. Select the appropriate option.
- If you want to send a photo or video, tap on Gallery and select the files you want to attach.
- To capture and send a new photo or video, tap on Camera.
- To send an audio file, tap on Audio and select the file to attach.
- You can also send other files like PDFs, documents etc. from your phone’s local storage by tapping on Document.
The attached files will be sent along with the text message. The attachments appear as thumbnails below the text. The recipient can tap on the attachments to view, save or download them.
How to add an attachment to a WhatsApp message on iPhone
On the iPhone, you can add attachments to WhatsApp messages in a similar way:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat window.
- Tap on the ‘+’ icon next to the text box.
- Select from the options – Photo & Video Library, Take Photo or Video, Record Audio, Location or Contact.
- To attach photos/videos from your camera roll, tap on Photo & Video Library and select the files.
- To take a new photo/video, tap on Take Photo or Video.
- You can also attach an audio file by tapping on Record Audio.
The process is quite straightforward and similar to attaching files in other messaging apps. The attachments will be sent as part of the message and the recipient can view them within WhatsApp.
Types of attachments supported by WhatsApp
Here are some of the common types of media and files that can be sent as attachments on WhatsApp:
| Type | File Formats | Size Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | JPG, PNG | Up to 30MB per photo |
| Videos | MP4, 3GP | Up to 100MB per video |
| Audio | MP3, M4A | Up to 128MB per audio file |
| Documents | PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT | Up to 100MB per file |
You can send up to 30 photos or videos at once. The maximum size limit for documents is 100MB and for media is 30MB for photos and 100MB for videos.
How to send large attachments on WhatsApp
WhatsApp compresses media files like photos and videos to optimize them for sharing online. But this can reduce the quality of high-resolution images and videos. If you want to share large high-quality media files and documents up to 2GB in size, you can do so by following these steps:
- Activate Google Drive support in WhatsApp settings.
- Go to the chat and tap on the attachment icon.
- Select “Document” and choose files from Google Drive.
- Select the file you want to share from Google Drive.
- Tap on “Add” to put it in the sending queue.
- You can add multiple large files this way.
- Once added, tap on send to share the files.
This will upload the files from Google Drive directly instead of your phone’s storage. The recipient will be able to download the files from Drive through the links.
Tips for sending attachments on WhatsApp
Here are some useful tips to follow when sending attachments on WhatsApp:
- Make sure the attachment sizes are within WhatsApp’s limits. Use Google Drive for larger files.
- Photos and videos sent will be compressed. For retaining quality, use a third-party app.
- You can attach up to 10 audio files at once on WhatsApp.
- Rename attachments with informative filenames before sending.
- Wait for attachments to upload completely before tapping send.
- If an attachment fails to send, check your internet connection.
- Always get consent before sending photos, videos or audio of other people.
Troubleshooting tips
Sometimes you may encounter issues while trying to attach files on WhatsApp. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common attachment problems:
Can’t attach from gallery
- Make sure WhatsApp has permission to access your phone’s media storage.
- Check if there is enough storage space on your phone.
- Try restarting your phone and WhatsApp to clear any glitches.
Attachments not sending
- Check your internet connection and try again.
- Attachments larger than size limits may fail to send. Compress or use Drive.
- Restart the app and clear app cache if issue persists.
Attachment appears as grey placeholder
- This usually happens when the recipient’s phone lacks support for the file format.
- You can retry sending in a different format that they support.
Poor quality of attached photos/videos
- WhatsApp compresses media files which may reduce quality.
- For the best quality, use a third-party app or send via Drive if size permits.
Conclusion
Sending attachments on WhatsApp is easy and enhances your messaging experience. You can share photos, videos, audio, documents and contacts seamlessly while chatting. Follow WhatsApp’s size limits when attaching files or use Google Drive for larger documents. Sending high-quality media requires third-party apps. With useful tips on attachments, you can troubleshoot issues and get the most out of WhatsApp.