WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to send videos to your contacts. But can you actually edit videos directly within the WhatsApp app?
Quick Answer: Yes, you can edit videos on WhatsApp
The short answer is yes, it is possible to edit videos on WhatsApp before sending them. However, WhatsApp does not have a built-in video editor. To edit videos on WhatsApp, you need to use third-party apps that allow you to edit videos and then upload the edited video back to WhatsApp.
Steps to Edit a Video on WhatsApp
Here are the general steps to edit a video on WhatsApp:
- Download and install a third-party video editing app on your device. Some popular options are InShot, Kapwing, VivaVideo, KineMaster, Adobe Premiere Rush, etc.
- Open the video editing app and import the video you want to edit from your phone’s gallery.
- Use the editing tools in the app to trim, cut, merge clips, add text, music, effects, filters etc.
- Once done editing, export/save the edited video to your device gallery.
- Open WhatsApp and go the chat where you want to send the edited video.
- Tap on the Attach button and select the edited video from your phone’s gallery.
- Tap Send to send the edited video to your WhatsApp contact.
And that’s it! The process is fairly straightforward once you have a compatible third-party video editor installed. The complexity depends on how advanced editing you want to do on the video.
Video Editing Apps for WhatsApp
Here are some of the best and most popular video editing apps you can use to edit videos for WhatsApp:
| App | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| InShot | Android, iOS | Trim, cut, merge clips, add effects, music, text |
| KineMaster | Android, iOS | Multi-layer timeline, chroma key, transitions, effects |
| Adobe Premiere Rush | Android, iOS | Pro-level tools, graphics, animations, export high quality |
| VivaVideo | Android, iOS | Themes, stickers, filters, transitions |
| Kapwing | Android, iOS, Web | Trim, splice, resize, filters, subtitles, animations |
These are just a few recommendations to get you started. Explore different apps to find the right balance of features and ease of use for your video editing needs.
Key Video Editing Features
Here are some of the key video editing tasks you may want to perform on videos before sending them via WhatsApp:
Trimming/Cutting Video
Use the trim/cut tools to remove unwanted sections from the start or end of the video. This allows you to get rid of boring intro or outro parts.
Merging Multiple Clips
You can combine multiple video clips into one using transitions. This lets you create a longer edited video from different clips.
Adding Text
Insert animated text, titles, subtitles, captions over your video. You can customize the text font, color, size, animation etc.
Applying Filters
Filters help give a specific tone and feel to your video. Most apps provide filters like black and white, vintage, drama, comedy etc.
Inserting Stickers
Stickers and emojis can help convey emotions and reactions. Add fun stickers on top of your video to make it more lively.
Adding Music
Insert a background music or sound track to set the mood for your video. Make sure to use royalty free music.
Adjusting Speed
Speed up or slow down the video as needed. This can be useful for creating dramatic effect.
Cropping/Rotating
Crop your video to highlight key subjects or rotate to adjust the orientation of the frame.
Tips for Editing WhatsApp Videos
Here are some useful tips to edit videos efficiently for WhatsApp:
- Use landscape orientation for best results
- Keep edits simple – focus on trimming, text, filters etc.
- Check playback after editing to ensure smooth playback
- Export video in smaller file size to minimize upload time
- Add captions if sending to international contacts
- Be mindful of copyright – only use royalty free assets
- Review on WhatsApp before sending to confirm quality
WhatsApp Video Specs and Limitations
Here are the video specifications and limits to keep in mind for WhatsApp:
| Feature | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum video size | 16 MB |
| Maximum length | 30 seconds (Status) / 3 minutes (Chats) |
| Maximum resolution | 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Supported formats | MP4, 3GP |
Keep these limitations in mind when editing and exporting your video for WhatsApp. Videos over 16MB may get compressed or fail to upload.
Conclusion
Editing videos on WhatsApp is easy with the right third party video editor app. Look for an app that provides the right mix of editing tools within an easy to use interface. Some key tools to use are trimming, filters, text, stickers and music. Remember to export the video in landscape format under 16MB for best results on WhatsApp. With the ability to edit videos before sharing, you can add a more customized and engaging touch to your WhatsApp video messages.