WhatsApp allows users to send videos in messages to other users. However, there are limits on the maximum size of video files that can be sent through WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Video Size Limits
According to WhatsApp’s website, the maximum video size you can send through WhatsApp depends on your device and operating system:
| Device/OS | Maximum Video Size |
|---|---|
| Android | 16MB |
| iPhone | 64MB |
| Windows Phone | 64MB |
| Nokia S40 | 64MB |
| Nokia S60 | 3GP only, max 300KB |
| BlackBerry | 64MB |
So if you are using an Android device, the maximum video size you can send through WhatsApp is 16MB. For iPhone, Windows Phone, Nokia S40, and BlackBerry devices, the limit is 64MB. And for older Nokia S60 devices, only 3GP format videos up to 300KB in size are supported.
Compressing Videos to Send on WhatsApp
If you have a video that is larger than the maximum size limit for your device, you will need to compress it before sending through WhatsApp. There are a few ways you can compress videos to reduce the file size:
- Use a video compressor app – There are various apps available for Android and iOS that allow you to compress and optimize video files. Some examples include Video Compressor, Video Size Reducer, Compressor for WhatsApp.
- Use video editing software – Software like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, or DaVinci Resolve allow you to export videos in smaller sizes by adjusting resolution, bitrates, codecs and other settings.
- Convert to lower resolution – Reduce the resolution of the video (e.g. from 1080p to 720p) to significantly reduce file size.
- Change codec – Convert to more efficient codecs like H.264 to reduce file size with minimal quality loss.
- Lower frame rate – Reducing frame rate from 30fps to 24fps or even 15fps can reduce size.
- Shorten length – Trimming longer videos into smaller segments can allow them to fit within WhatsApp’s size limits.
The best settings to use when compressing a video for WhatsApp depends on the specific video, but some common recommendations include:
- Resolution – 720p or 480p resolution is ideal.
- Bitrate – Aim for a bitrate around 1,500 – 3,000 kbps.
- Framerate – 15 – 24 fps.
- Format – H.264 or MPEG-4 encoding.
Trying different combinations of settings and running test exports can help you find the best balance of small file size while maintaining decent video quality.
Sending Videos Up to 16GB on WhatsApp
While the maximum video size for sending directly through WhatsApp messages is limited, there is a workaround to send videos up to 16GB in size using WhatsApp.
To send larger videos up to 16GB on WhatsApp:
- Upload the video to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive etc.
- Get the shareable link to the video file from the cloud service.
- Paste and send this public shareable link to the video in your WhatsApp chat.
- The recipient can then download or stream the video from the link.
This workaround essentially allows you to send a link to a large video file stored in the cloud rather than trying to send the entire video file directly through WhatsApp. The 16GB limit is imposed by WhatsApp for these public links.
Other Options for Sharing Large Videos
In addition to using cloud storage links, there are some other options for sharing videos larger than WhatsApp’s size limits:
- Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, etc. and share the link.
- Share via email attachments.
- Use file transfer apps like ShareIt, Xender, etc.
- Upload to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Transfer through cloud storage apps like Google Files, OneDrive, etc.
- Use external SD card to transfer files from one device to another.
- Transfer via Bluetooth on supported devices.
- Screen mirroring like Chromecast, Roku, Airplay if same WiFi network.
The best option depends on your specific devices, video size, urgency of transfer and other factors. But there are plenty of alternative ways to share and view large videos beyond the WhatsApp size limits.
Upcoming Changes to WhatsApp Video Size Limits
Currently, the maximum video sizes supported on WhatsApp are quite limited compared to other messaging platforms. However, WhatsApp has announced plans to increase the video size limits in a future update.
According to a WhatsApp FAQ page, they are working to allow sharing videos up to 2GB in size. This will make it possible to send full HD and even 4K resolution videos through WhatsApp directly.
WhatsApp has not provided an exact timeline for when this updated 2GB video limit will be rolled out. But it is expected to launch sometime in 2022 or 2023. Users will need to update to the latest version of WhatsApp when the change is implemented.
This higher 2GB size limit will allow users to share longer, higher quality videos easily through WhatsApp. The current 16MB or 64MB limits require heavy compression for most video clips. With 2GB video support, WhatsApp will become much more competitive with other messaging apps.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points:
- Current WhatsApp video size limits range from 16MB to 64MB depending on device.
- You can compress videos to meet size limits or use cloud links for bigger files.
- Upcoming update planned will allow sharing videos up to 2GB in size.
- Alternatives like YouTube, social media, cloud apps can share larger videos.
While WhatsApp currently limits videos you can directly send to well under 64MB in most cases, workarounds exist to share videos of any size. And upcoming WhatsApp updates will greatly increase the video size limits for easier sharing of longer, higher quality videos.