WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and make voice and video calls. By default, WhatsApp allows videos up to 16MB to be sent. This translates to around a minute of video on average. If you want to send longer videos, you will need to increase the video limit on WhatsApp.
Why is there a limit on WhatsApp video size?
WhatsApp has put a limit on video sizes to optimize performance and reduce strain on their servers. Sending large videos can consume significant bandwidth and slow down the experience for all users if left unchecked. The 16MB limit allows most basic videos to be sent while preventing excessively large files from being shared.
Can I send videos longer than 16MB on WhatsApp?
Yes, it is possible to send longer videos up to 100MB on WhatsApp by adjusting your settings:
- For Android phones, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Data and Storage Usage > Media Auto Download. Here you can toggle off “When Using Mobile Data” and adjust the video size limit to 100MB when connected to WiFi.
- For iPhones, go to Settings > Data and Storage Usage, then modify the Auto-download limits for When Connected to WiFi.
This allows you to send videos up to 100MB in size when connected to WiFi. However, recipients will need to manually download the video to view it completely.
How can I reduce WhatsApp video size before sending?
If you want to send lengthy videos while staying under the 16MB limit, you can use video compression tools to reduce the size:
Online Video Compressors
There are many free online tools like Clideo, OnlineVideoConverter and VideoSmaller that allow reducing video file size right in the browser. Just upload your video and adjust the compression settings to get a smaller file.
Video Editing Apps
Apps like Inshot, Quik, Videoshop and Adobe Premiere Rush allow exporting videos at lower resolutions and bitrates to reduce size. Some also have options to trim unnecessary parts from the video.
Convert to GIF
For short funny clips, consider converting your video to an animated GIF using online tools or apps. GIFs are usually very small in size.
Tips for minimizing WhatsApp video sizes
Here are some tips to record videos optimized for WhatsApp from the start:
- Use lower video resolution like 720p instead of 4K.
- Choose a moderate bitrate around 8-12 Mbps instead of very high quality.
- Avoid large file formats like MOV and use MP4 instead.
- Record shorter videos around 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Use basic editing to trim any excess footage.
- Preferably shoot in adequate lighting conditions.
- Use video stabilization to avoid shaky footage.
Alternative options for sending large videos
If you need to share very lengthy videos beyond 100MB, WhatsApp may not be the best way. Here are some alternatives:
Google Drive or Dropbox
Upload the video to Google Drive or Dropbox and generate a shareable link. You can then send this link on WhatsApp for the recipient to view the video.
Facebook and Instagram
Facebook and Instagram allow videos up to 4K, so you can upload lengthy videos there and share the links on WhatsApp.
YouTube
Upload your videos to YouTube as an unlisted or private video. Share the YouTube link with the recipient so they can view it.
Telegram
Telegram allows uploading videos up to 2GB in size which is way more than WhatsApp’s limit. You can send the Telegram video link on WhatsApp if needed.
Use file sharing apps
Apps like ShareIt, Xender and TrebleShot allow direct file transfer between devices without using internet data. You can use them to send large videos to contacts nearby.
Disadvantages of sending large videos on WhatsApp
Although possible to share bigger videos, doing so has some downsides:
- Large files will be slow to upload and download for both sender and recipient.
- It can consume mobile data allowances quickly.
- WhatsApp may compress the video during upload resulting in quality loss.
- The 100MB limit may still not accommodate very lengthy videos.
- It does not work when using mobile data, WiFi is required.
- Recipient has to manually download the video to view it completely.
Conclusion
The default WhatsApp video limit is 16MB but can be increased to 100MB for WiFi connections. While you can share bigger videos, alternatives like video compression, Google Drive, YouTube or other sharing apps may be better options. For most purposes, keeping videos short and optimized for WhatsApp using simple editing is recommended. Only use the 100MB limit occasionally for lengthy videos, as it has some disadvantages.