Today's smartphones have revolutionized the ability to capture moments with high-quality videos. From HD to 4K resolution, you can enjoy video clarity like never before. However, The main problem with high-quality videos is their large size.. The higher the resolution, the larger the file size, which can cause complications when sharing them, especially if you want send long videos via WhatsApp.
Limitations and operation of WhatsApp for sharing long videos
WhatsApp has automatic compression mechanisms for multimedia files. When you send a video through the gallery, the app reduces the quality and file size to facilitate streaming and avoid excessive mobile data usage. However, this compression is only effective up to a certain limit and can affect video quality. It also comes with some important restrictions:
- Video size limit sent as multimedia: 16 MB. This is equivalent, on most mobile devices, to about 90 seconds or up to 3 minutes of video depending on the resolution.
- Send as a document: up to 2 GB per file. If the video is attached as a “document” instead of a “gallery,” the maximum size allowed increases significantly, and no compression will be applied, so the original quality is maintained.
- Supported formats: WhatsApp primarily accepts .mp4, .avi, .mov, and 3GP files. Videos in advanced codecs like H.265 or VC9 (common in 4K) may not be recognized and may need to be converted.
Other factors, such as the quality of your internet connection, also play a role. A slow connection can make it difficult or impossible to upload large videos, even if they meet the requirements above.
What to do if your video can't be sent via WhatsApp
Sometimes, when trying to send a long video via WhatsApp, the app may display error messages or simply not allow the video to be sent. The most common reasons include:
- File size greater than 2 GB.
- Unsupported format.
- Bad internet connection.
In these situations, you can apply these solutions:
- Check that the file does not exceed 2 GB.
- Make sure the format is compatible. If not, convert the video to .mp4 or .mov, preferably using a video compressor or converter.
- Check your internet connection.
If the video still isn't sending, there are ways to work around WhatsApp's limitations and share even large videos.
How to send very long videos on WhatsApp: Methods, tricks, and tools
1. Trick to send as a document on WhatsApp
One of the simplest and most direct methods is send the video as a document instead of as a media file. Like this:
- Open the chat you want to send the video to.
- Click the paper clip icon (attach).
- Instead of selecting “Gallery,” choose “Document.”
- Find and select the video (you can navigate to the exact folder).
- Click “send.”
Advantage: You can send videos up to 2 GB in size without compression, meaning the recipient receives the video in its original quality. This trick is especially useful for long videos, high-definition videos, and all types of large files.
Note: If your video is larger than 2 GB, you'll need to compress it first (using ZIP or RAR, for example) or use cloud services.
2. Compress the video before sending it
If your file is still too large or you want to optimize upload and reduce upload time, compress the video is the key. The most recommended apps and services are:
- clipchamp: It's an online compressor that converts any video to MP4 format compatible with WhatsApp, allowing you to choose quality and resolution (720p or 360p, for example) and apply cropping. Its free version works perfectly for most videos (although it adds a watermark). You can learn more in our article about compress videos without losing quality.
- Media Converter: Available on Google Play, it allows you to compress videos using the H.264 codec, resulting in lightweight and compatible files without losing significant quality.
- Video Compressor Panda: Another free app on Google Play that offers several preconfigured options to reduce video size according to your needs.
- Venlow: Especially recommended for keeping videos in top quality and adapted for WhatsApp, especially if you're going to share them on your status.
3. Split the video or trim fragments
When a video is too long to send all at once, another alternative is divide it into several partsMany apps allow you to easily trim your video into smaller chunks, or even 2 MB if you want to send it as a traditional media file (with WhatsApp compression).
Some recommended apps for trimming videos are:
- InShot: Free and powerful video editor.
- Kinemaster: Designed for professional editing and precise cuts.
- CapCut: Very intuitive for quick clipping and sharing videos on social networks.
4. Upload the video to cloud services and share the link
Services like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive They're ideal for videos that exceed WhatsApp's limit or when you want to share large files with multiple contacts. The process is very simple:
- Upload the video to your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive account.
- Copy the link to share.
- Paste the link into your WhatsApp chat and send it.
The recipient will simply have to click the link to download the file without depending on WhatsApp's limitations. For efficient management, you can also check out how to download the file. recover photos and videos from WhatsApp.
5. Use large file transfer services: WeTransfer
WeTransfer It's one of the most popular tools for transferring large files for free (up to 2 GB). Just:
- Access the WeTransfer website.
- Upload the video file.
- Get the download link.
- Share the link on WhatsApp.
This method is quick and doesn't require creating an account, making it ideal for occasional uploads of long or heavy videos.
6. Advanced compression: ZIP or RAR
Alternatively compress the video into a ZIP or RAR file, especially if you need to further reduce the size or group multiple files together. There are free apps for both Android and iOS to create these types of archives (for example, RAR for Android or iZip for iOS). Once compressed, you can send it as a document via WhatsApp following the process mentioned above.
Step-by-step guide: Compress videos for WhatsApp easily
For users who want to compress a video before sending it on WhatsApp, here's a handy guide using Clipchamp:
- Visit the official Clipchamp website and log in (you can use Google, Facebook, or register an email and password). You can learn more about how .
- Select “Convert Video,” drag the file, or click to select it.
- Choose MP4 format and select the desired resolution (it is recommended to keep the original or reduce to 720p or 360p for smaller files).
- Optionally, use the editing options to crop, adjust color, brightness, or rotate the video.
- Start the compression process and download the finished file, which will be ready to be sent as a document via WhatsApp.
Plus, Clipchamp offers advanced editing tools and templates to give your videos a professional touch before sharing.
Other recommended apps for sending long videos via WhatsApp
- Media Converter: Featured free app on Google Play that lets you compress videos in multiple formats, using the H.264 codec to minimize quality loss.
- Longer Videos for WhatsApp: An app specifically designed for these types of messages; you select the video from your gallery and it's automatically compressed to fit WhatsApp limits, maintaining the highest possible quality.
- Panda Video Compressor: In addition to reducing the size, it makes it easier to share videos on WhatsApp directly from the app.
All of these apps convert or compress your video so you can send it on WhatsApp without interruptions or excessive quality loss. To avoid problems, you can also check out how to do this. know if someone is spying on me on WhatsApp.
Tips to maintain quality and avoid problems when sending large videos
To ensure the smoothest possible upload process and the best quality for your video, follow these recommendations:
- Preferably use the MP4 format, is the most compatible and usually weighs less than others.
- Do not increase the original resolution During compression, only reduce it if you need to save space.
- Choose a stable WiFi connection to send the file and avoid cuts or errors during the process.
- Disable automatic compression if you want the video to not lose quality (send as a document instead of multimedia).
- Remove unnecessary seconds from the video to reduce weight and facilitate shipping.
- If the video is family, private or confidential, Use temporary links or adjust the privacy of cloud-shared files.
Frequently asked questions about sending long, heavy videos via WhatsApp
- What is the actual video size limit on WhatsApp? 16 MB if you attach it as multimedia (gallery or camera), up to 2 GB as a document (without compression).
- Is there a loss of quality when sending videos via WhatsApp? Yes, if you use the traditional submission option (gallery); if you send it as a document, there's no compression and you maintain the original quality.
- What do I do if my video is larger than 2 GB? Split the video into multiple parts, trim it, or upload the file to the cloud and share the link.
- Are there any security risks? Whenever you share private videos, be sure to protect the links and not upload them to public services if you don't want to.
- Can a long video be sent to multiple contacts? Yes, you can share the file or link in multiple chats or groups simultaneously.
The ease of send long videos via WhatsApp has improved significantly with the app's new limits and the variety of tools available. Whether you're sending the file as a document, pre-compressing the video, splitting it into fragments, or using cloud services and specialized apps, there's always a solution tailored to your needs so your best memories, tutorials, or recordings reach their recipients worry-free and in the highest quality. Just remember to check the size and format before sending, and choose the method that best suits the type of content.
