The video quality on WhatsApp can often be low and pixelated, especially when sending or receiving longer videos. Fortunately, there are several ways you can try to improve video quality on WhatsApp.
Understanding WhatsApp Video Compression
WhatsApp compresses and downsizes video files sent through the app in order to reduce file size and save data usage. This compression naturally results in some loss of video quality compared to the original file. The level of compression depends on the length and resolution of the video – longer or higher resolution videos will face heavier compression.
WhatsApp limits videos to 16MB if you’re sending over cellular data, and 64MB if you’re on WiFi. Any larger video is automatically compressed to fit under these size limits before sending. As a result, video quality is reduced – the higher the compression needed to fit the size limit, the more quality is lost.
Send Shorter Video Clips
One easy way to maintain better video quality on WhatsApp is to keep your video clips short. For example, keep videos to under 30 seconds when possible. The shorter the video, the less compression is needed to meet WhatsApp’s size limits. Sending very short videos of 5-10 seconds will have minimal quality loss.
You can use video editing apps on your smartphone to trim longer videos into shorter clips before sending on WhatsApp. On iPhone, use the Photos app or iMovie. On Android, try the Gallery app or apps like KineMaster.
Use Lower Video Resolution When Recording
If you’re recording a video specifically to send on WhatsApp, use lower resolution settings in your smartphone camera. Most phones let you adjust video resolution in the camera settings – 720p or 1080p is recommended for WhatsApp instead of maxing out at 4K.
Lower resolution means smaller file sizes, so there’s less compression needed later by WhatsApp. The video quality before sending will be retained better. Just don’t go too low to something like 480p.
Avoid Sending Videos at Full Screen Size
Similarly, if you have an existing high resolution video to send, consider downsizing it before sending on WhatsApp. This again reduces the file size so WhatsApp doesn’t need to apply heavy compression.
You can downsize videos with online video compressors or use video editor apps on your phone. Reduce the video dimensions so it’s smaller than full screen size. For example, resize a 1920×1080 full HD video to 1280×720 (720p) before sending on WhatsApp.
Use WhatsApp’s Optimal Video Settings
WhatsApp has a feature called ‘Optimal Video Settings’ which enables higher video quality transfers between users who both have this enabled. To turn it on:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Go to Storage and Data > Media Auto Download
- Enable ‘Video Upload Quality’ to get optimal video quality
This will allow WhatsApp to send higher resolution videos between users while staying under the size limits. Both the sender and receiver need to have this enabled for optimal quality.
Use WhatsApp Web on a Computer
If you need to send very long or very high resolution videos that exceed WhatsApp size limits, one option is to avoid phones altogether. Use WhatsApp Web on your computer browser, linked to your WhatsApp account.
On WhatsApp Web, the file size limit for videos is much higher at 512MB. This allows sending uncompressed, original quality videos from your computer. Just make sure the receiving device can actually play back such a large video file.
Use a Third Party Service
Some third party services can help you get around WhatsApp compression and send high quality videos, for certain use cases:
- Google Drive – Upload the video to Google Drive, get the sharing link, and paste that link in your WhatsApp chat. Users can then download the original quality video from Drive.
- Telegram – Telegram has higher limits of 1.5GB per video. Upload your video here and share back to WhatsApp.
- Facebook – Likewise, Facebook allows uploading large videos, so you can share video links back to WhatsApp chats.
However, these non-WhatsApp services won’t have end-to-end encryption for video transfers.
Use WhatsApp Picture-in-Picture Mode
If you have no other option but to receive an overly compressed, low quality video on WhatsApp, there is one playback trick that can help improve the visual experience. Turn on Picture-in-Picture mode from the video screen:
- Start playing the video in WhatsApp
- Tap the Picture-in-Picture button (a small box with arrows)
- This pops the video out into a floating window
- You can now enlarge the floating video for much better viewing
The video itself remains low quality, but seeing it enlarged in a small pop-up player masks some of the pixelation and blocky compression artifacts.
Adjust WhatsApp Data Usage Settings
To maximize video quality, you also need to make sure WhatsApp is allowed to use up enough data. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data Usage and check/adjust these options:
- Media Auto Download – Auto download videos when on WiFi to get highest quality transfers
- Low Data Usage – Disable this option if enabled, to prevent very high compression
- Data Saver – Likewise, disable Data Saver if it’s cutting off data and compressing videos
Give WhatsApp freedom to use more mobile data or WiFi data for sending and receiving videos in original quality.
Summary
Here are the key tips covered in this guide to improve WhatsApp video quality:
- Send shorter video clips under 30 seconds
- Record using lower video resolution settings on your phone
- Resize/downsample video dimensions before sending
- Enable WhatsApp’s Optimal Video Settings
- Use WhatsApp Web on your computer to avoid size limits
- Share uncompressed videos from Google Drive, Telegram, etc.
- View low quality videos enlarged in Picture-in-Picture mode
- Adjust WhatsApp data usage settings to auto download videos on WiFi
Following these tips will help you share and view clearer, higher quality videos on WhatsApp as much as the platform allows.