How to Send High Quality Videos on WhatsApp (iPhone and Android)

Quick Tips

• You can send high-quality videos via WhatsApp’s photos/video sharing feature. While sharing the video, tap the HD button (if available) to send the video
• For a bigger video file, you can send it as a document. Select the Document option from the send menu; browse, attach, and send the video.
• Additionally, you can use cloud storage services to share an HD video in WhatsApp. Upload the video, create a sharing link, and then share it via WhatsApp.

Method 1. Send an HD Video in WhatsApp

Maximum resolution and size limit: 1280×720 video resolution

Thankfully, WhatsApp now lets you send media files in HD quality. However, the option is only available for photos and videos taken in high quality. For other media files, you may see the HD option greyed out.

WhatsApp still applies a file size limit, though. For example, if you try to send a 4K video on WhatsApp, the service compresses it to dial down the resolution. The video resolution is capped at 1280×720 when the HD mode is available.

Moreover, the ability to send an High-quality video on WhatsApp is available on mobile apps only. You can’t send HD videos using desktop apps. Let’s check it in action and send high-quality videos.

iPhone

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and head to a conversation.

Step 2: Tap the + icon. Select Photos.

Step 3: Select a video you want to send. Look for an HD icon at the top. Tap it to select HD quality.

Step 4: Hit Send.

Note: We tried sending a 71MB video on WhatsApp. The service compressed the file size to 2.2MB with 476 x 848 resolution. The HD option increased the size to 4MB and resolution to 718 x 1280.

Android

Step 1: Head to a conversation in WhatsApp for Android and tap the pin icon.

Step 2: Select Gallery. Choose the video you want to send.

Step 3: Tap HD at the top. Hit the radio button beside HD quality.

WhatsApp increased the SD quality video to HD quality and doubled the file size. You need to select video files from a WhatsApp conversation only. If you launch the default Gallery app on iPhone and Android and share a video file, the HD option won’t show up.

2. Send the Video as Document

Maximum resolution and size limit: No limit to video resolution and 2GB

As you can see from the example above, even with the HD option enabled, WhatsApp still compresses your video file quite heavily. If you want to send a full video without losing quality, share your video as a file. The company lets you send a file in up to 2GB size. You can send your videos as a file and enjoy seamless sharing.

iPhone

On iPhone, you need to save the video from the Photos app to the Files app. Only after that, you will be able to browse and send the video on WhatsApp. Don’t worry though. It’s much simpler than it sounds. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Photos app. Select the video that you want to send on WhatsApp.

Step 2: Tap the Share button at the bottom.

Step 3: Tap on the Save to Files option. Select the location where you want to save the video.

Step 4: Open WhatsApp and move to the conversation. Tap on the + icon and select Document.

Step 5: Browse and select the saved video from the Files app. Tap the Send button at the top and send the video in high quality on your iPhone.

Unlike the usual method, you won’t be able to see the video preview. One can only see the video’s name and size.

Android

On Android, you don’t need to save the video as a file as you can easily browse the entire photos and videos library using the default file manager. Go through the steps below.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp and move to the conversation.

Step 2: Tap on the little Pin icon. Select Document from the options.

Step 3: Tap Browse other documents. You can use the Videos filter at the top to quickly see all the videos saved on the device.

Step 4: Tap the video and hit the Send button to share the high-quality video on WhatsApp Android.

3. Use Cloud Storage to Send High-Quality Videos on WhatsApp

Maximum resolution and size limit: No limit to video resolution and size

The trick above is limited to sending files up to 2GB in size. There is no way to bypass that limitation. If you want to send a video file that is more than 2GB in size, you need to get a helping hand from cloud storage services such as Google Drive or OneDrive.

Simply upload the video to these platforms and generate a sharable link. In the example below, we are using the Google Drive and the iPhone app. Since the Google Drive app uses the same UI on iOS and Android, the steps will work on Android, too.

Step 1: Open the Photos. Browse the video that you want to send.

Step 2: Tap the Share button. Upload it to Google Drive.

Step 3: Now, open the Google Drive app and locate the video.

Step 4: Locate the three-dot menu beside the video. Tap the Copy link option from the bottom menu.

Step 6: Open the WhatsApp app and move to the conversation.

Step 7: Paste the Google Drive link and you are all set to go.

The receiving person can simply open the Google Drive link and download or watch the video. Microsoft 365 subscribers can explore OneDrive to send high-quality videos on WhatsApp. Unlike Google Drive, OneDrive lets you set an expiry date for a link to prevent unauthorized access.