Video too big for WhatsApp: what to do
Use the SD version, send it as a document, send just the audio or share the link.
Long HD videos can run to hundreds of megabytes. WhatsApp accepts big files, but it compresses videos sent from your gallery, takes a long time to send them on slow connections and can refuse files over its limit. Before you give up, try one of these, from the simplest to the most complete.
1. Download the SD version
In ClipsKeep's list of options, SD video produces a file several times smaller than HD. On a phone screen the difference in quality is barely noticeable, and sending is much faster. For most chats, it's the right choice.
2. Send it as a document
In WhatsApp, tap the paperclip, choose Document and select the video. Documents aren't compressed and have a much higher size limit than videos sent from the gallery, up to 2 GB. The other person opens the file and watches it as usual.
3. Send just the audio
If what matters is what's being said, as in a talk or a sermon, download the Audio only option. An hour-long MP3 is a fraction of the video's size and arrives quickly even on weak connections. Read more in downloading audio as MP3.
4. For your status, pick a section
WhatsApp status only takes short videos. When you post a long one, WhatsApp opens an editor so you can choose the part that will show. Drag the edges of the timeline and post it.
Other ways out
- Share the post's link. If the other person has Facebook, sending the link is instant and takes no space on their phone.
- Use Wi-Fi. Big files sent over mobile data use a lot of it and can fail halfway. On Wi-Fi, sending is more reliable.
- Free up space before downloading. If your phone is nearly full, the download can stop midway. The Android guide shows where files are kept so you can delete what you no longer need.
Paste the video link here
Some options are prepared on the spot, so the download may take a few seconds to start.
- Start
- 0:00
- Length
- 0:00
- End
- 0:00
Does sending it as a document use more of the recipient's data?
Yes, because the file goes at its original size. If they're on mobile data, send the SD version instead.
Will the video lose quality if WhatsApp compresses it?
A little. Compression mostly softens fine detail and small text. For a funny clip it rarely matters; for a recipe or tutorial, send it as a document.