WhatsApp 16MB Video Limit? Here's How to Fix It
That "can't send this video, file too large" error? Yeah, I get it 50 times a week. WhatsApp's 16MB limit is brutal when you're trying to share a 2-minute video from your phone. Here's exactly how to fix it without making your videos look like they were filmed on a potato.
Quick Fix (If You're in a Hurry)
- 1. Go to our video compressor
- 2. Upload your video
- 3. Choose "WhatsApp" preset (or set to 480p)
- 4. Download and send
This works for 90% of videos. Keep reading for edge cases and pro tips.
The WhatsApp Video Size Problem (Why 16MB?)
WhatsApp limits videos to 16MB on iOS and most Android phones. Some newer Androids allow up to 100MB, but don't count on it. The person receiving might have the 16MB limit.
Here's what triggers the "file too large" error:
- Recording in 4K (even 30 seconds can exceed 16MB)
- iPhone's default camera settings (1080p at 60fps)
- Screen recordings longer than 1 minute
- Videos from real cameras (usually way too high quality)
How to Check Your Video Size First
On iPhone
- 1. Open Photos app
- 2. Find your video
- 3. Swipe up (or tap the "i" icon)
- 4. Look for file size
On Android
- 1. Open Files/Gallery app
- 2. Long press the video
- 3. Tap "Details" or "Properties"
- 4. Check the size in MB
Best Compression Settings for WhatsApp
I've tested hundreds of videos. These settings give you the best quality-to-size ratio:
Recommended Settings
Step-by-Step: Compress Video for WhatsApp
Step 1: Check Your Video Size
On iPhone: Long press the video > tap "Info". On Android: File manager > long press > "Details". If it's over 16MB, you need to compress it.
Step 2: Choose Compression Settings
For WhatsApp, use 480p resolution and 30fps. This keeps decent quality while staying under 16MB for most videos under 3 minutes.
Step 3: Compress the Video
Use our video compressor, select "WhatsApp" preset or manually set to 480p. The converter will optimize for WhatsApp automatically.
Step 4: Send as Document (Optional)
For better quality, send as document: Tap attachment > Document > Select your compressed video. This reduces WhatsApp's additional compression.
Pro Tips Nobody Tells You
🎯 The Document Trick
Send videos as "documents" to avoid WhatsApp's aggressive compression. The receiver can still play it normally, but quality is way better.
✂️ Trim First, Compress Second
If your video is over 3 minutes, trim it first. WhatsApp won't send videos longer than that anyway. Our video trimmer can help.
📱 Change iPhone Settings
Settings → Camera → Record Video → Choose 720p at 30fps. This prevents the problem before it starts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Alternative Solutions
Sometimes compression isn't enough. Here are your options:
For Long Videos (3+ minutes)
- • Upload to Google Drive, share link
- • Use Telegram (2GB limit)
- • Split into multiple parts
- • Create a YouTube unlisted video
For Best Quality
- • Use WhatsApp Business (100MB limit)
- • Send via email as attachment
- • Use WeTransfer or similar
- • Create shared album (iPhone)
The Bottom Line
WhatsApp's 16MB limit is annoying, but manageable. For 90% of videos, just:
- Compress to 480p
- Keep it under 3 minutes
- Send as document for better quality
Still having issues? Our video compressor has a WhatsApp preset that handles all the technical stuff automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WhatsApp's video size limit?
WhatsApp allows videos up to 16MB on most phones. Some Android phones might allow up to 100MB, but 16MB is the safe limit that works everywhere. For Status updates, the limit is even smaller - around 30 seconds of video.
Why does WhatsApp compress my videos?
WhatsApp automatically compresses videos to save bandwidth and storage. Even if your video is under 16MB, WhatsApp will still compress it. That's why videos often look worse after sending. The trick is to compress it yourself first with better settings.
What's the best video format for WhatsApp?
MP4 with H.264 codec works best for WhatsApp. It's universally supported and compresses well. Avoid formats like MOV or AVI - they're usually bigger and WhatsApp might struggle with them.
Can I send videos longer than 3 minutes on WhatsApp?
Not directly through WhatsApp. For videos longer than 3 minutes, you'll need to either: 1) Trim the video to under 3 minutes, 2) Split it into multiple parts, or 3) Upload to Google Drive/Dropbox and share the link.
How do I stop WhatsApp from compressing my videos?
You can't completely stop it, but you can minimize quality loss. Send videos as "documents" instead of regular videos - this bypasses some compression. In WhatsApp, tap the attachment icon, choose "Document", then select your video.
Ready to Fix Your Video?
Stop fighting with WhatsApp's file size limits. Compress your video in seconds.