What WhatsApp does to your files
WhatsApp is built for quick messages. Photos and videos sent as media are compressed to save data, and the video length and size are restricted. Documents can be larger, but the cap is still modest compared with a modern video file, and uploading a large document over mobile data is slow.
Sharing a link sends only a few characters. The file itself is uploaded once, from the device that has the best connection.
How to send a file through WhatsApp with a link
You can do the whole thing from a phone browser:
- Open this page on your phone or computer and upload the file.
- Copy the link when the upload finishes.
- Open the chat in WhatsApp and paste the link, with a short note about what it is.
- Optionally add a password or a lifetime before sharing.
Great things to share this way
Full-quality video
Holiday and event clips, in the original. See sending video.
Photo albums
A single link to a gallery instead of fifty compressed pictures. See sending photos.
Documents
PDFs and scans, with a password.
Work files
Design files and archives for a colleague on the go.
Group deliveries
Event collections
Let guests drop photos in a Drop Room and share the room link in the group.
Back up the phone you share from
The free Android app backs up your photos, video, audio and contacts to your upload.am cloud storage, so what you share is also safe. Upload from the app or from the web, and manage everything in your online file manager.
Good habits for sharing links in chats
- Do not post private files in large public groups without a password.
- Use a short lifetime for temporary files, such as a one-day event.
- Name the file clearly so the recipient recognises it.
- Revoke the link when everyone has what they need.
How to send a large file via WhatsApp in four steps
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1
Upload the file
Use the upload box on your phone or computer.
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2
Copy the link
Copy the link from the finished upload.
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3
Paste it into the chat
Send the link in WhatsApp with a short note.
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4
Tidy up
Switch the link off from your cabinet when it is no longer needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does WhatsApp compress my video?
Video and photos sent as media are compressed. A link to the original avoids that.
Can I send a file larger than WhatsApp allows?
Yes. Upload it here, up to 5 GB free, and share the link.
Does the recipient need an account?
No. They open the link in a browser.
Is it private?
Add a password or an expiry. Anyone with the link and the password can download.
Does this work with Telegram, Messenger and others?
Yes. It is a normal link.