WhatsApp has a file size limit of 25MB per video that you can send at one time. If you try to send a video larger than that, it will fail to upload. However, there are a few workarounds you can use to send large videos up to 2GB in size on WhatsApp.
Compress the Video
The easiest solution is to use a video compressor tool to reduce the size of your video below 25MB. There are many free online video compressors you can use:
- HandBrake – Open source video compressor for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Online-Convert – Web based video compressor
- CloudConvert – Web and API based video conversion
These tools allow you to adjust the resolution, bitrate, codecs, and other settings to shrink the video file size dramatically with minimal impact on quality. You want to aim for a file under 25MB so it will send properly on WhatsApp.
Here are the basic steps to compress a video with Handbrake:
- Download and install Handbrake on your computer
- Launch Handbrake and click on the “Source” button to select your video file
- Click on the “Browse” button under “Destination” and pick where you want to save the compressed video
- Open the “Presets” dropdown and select a common resolution like “iPhone & iPad”
- Click on the “Encode” button to compress and save the video
The compressed video from Handbrake should now be shareable on WhatsApp. You may need to experiment with different resolution presets to get the file size low enough.
Split the Video into Parts
Another option is to split your large video into smaller parts that are under 25MB each. You can then send each part as a separate video message on WhatsApp. Here are some ways to split a large video:
- FFmpeg – Cross platform command line tool for cutting video. Free.
- SplitVideo – Simple online app to cut video into parts. Free.
- Adobe Premiere Pro – Paid video editing software with split capabilities.
The basic steps for splitting with FFmpeg are:
- Install FFmpeg on your computer
- Determine roughly how long each segment should be to stay under 25MB
- Use the FFmpeg split command to cut the video into parts. For example:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c copy -map 0 -segment_time 00:01:00 -f segment output%03d.mp4 - This will split a video into 1 minute segments saved as output001.mp4, output002.mp4, etc.
- Send each segment on WhatsApp in order.
Your recipient can then stitch the video segments back together on their end.
Send Via Google Drive or Dropbox Link
Another popular workaround is to upload your large video to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. You can then share the link to the video via WhatsApp, and your recipient can download it.
Here are the steps:
- Upload your video file to Google Drive or Dropbox
- Right click on the video and select “Get shareable link”
- Copy the shareable link
- In WhatsApp, paste the link to the video to share it
- Your recipient can click the link to play the video in their browser or download it
The advantages of this method are:
- No limit on video size – Google Drive and Dropbox support up to 5TB files
- Easy sharing via links
- Video is accessible both on desktop and mobile
The downside is your recipient will need to download the video rather than just receiving it directly in WhatsApp.
Upload to YouTube Unlisted
Uploading your video file to YouTube as an “Unlisted” video is another way to share large videos through WhatsApp. Unlisted videos don’t show up in YouTube searches or your channel page – the only way someone can see them is if you share the link.
Here is how to share a large video on YouTube Unlisted:
- Upload your video to YouTube and select “Unlisted” privacy
- Copy the video link from the YouTube Studio
- Paste the YouTube video link in your WhatsApp chat
- Your recipient can view the video with this link
The advantages of YouTube are:
- No file size limit – videos up to 12 hours long are supported
- Convenient streaming from YouTube’s video player
- Link is compatible with desktop and mobile
The downside is your video will be published on YouTube, even if it is unlisted. So this method may not be suitable if you want to tightly restrict access to the video.
Use a File Sharing App
Dedicated file sharing apps and services allow you to send large video files beyond WhatsApp’s limits. Some popular options are:
| App | File Size Limit |
|---|---|
| WeTransfer | 2 GB |
| SendAnywhere | 10 GB |
| Dropbox Transfer | 100 GB |
To use these apps:
- Install and open the file sharing app
- Select your video to share
- Generate a share link and copy it
- Paste the file transfer link in your WhatsApp chat
- Your recipient can download the video from that link
File sharing apps provide a straightforward way to bypass WhatsApp’s limits and send huge videos. Just keep in mind your recipient will have to install the app and download the video file as well.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp limits videos to just 25MB, there are many effective ways to share large videos up to 2GB in size. The best options are to compress your video to under 25MB, split it into segments, or upload to a cloud storage service and share the link on WhatsApp. With the right tools, you can work around the 25MB restriction and share high quality, large videos on WhatsApp.