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WhatsApp has been working around the clock to be a better and more competitive app. Well, it’s one of the most popular messaging apps on the market, but there are some areas it can improve. One area it’s gotten better is the file size limit. For the longest time, the company only let you send files up to 100MB, but it increased it to 2GB in recent history. While that’s great, most businesses tend to send larger files. So, here’s how to send large files via WhatsApp.
The thing is that WhatsApp isn’t only for sending text-based messages. People who use it as a communication hub for their business most likely need to send important documents over the service. Thankfully, if you’ve been shot down by the file limit, there’s a way to work around it.
How to send large files on WhatsApp
Just to clear the air, there’s no native method to send files larger than 2GB over WhatsApp. So, this isn’t a guide to unlock some special hidden feature or hack the app. Sending larger files via WhatsApp will require the use of other apps. There are probably 1,001 ways to send larger files, but we’re going to go over one of the more intuitive methods.
This method is through cloud storage. you’re most likely using some cloud storage platform like Google Drive, iCloud, Microsoft One Drive, etc. These are all very fine methods of sending files. However, for the sake of this article, we’re going to be talking about Google Drive. Many of the users reading this most likely have a Google account; hence, they have access to at least 15GB of Google Drive storage.
For starters, you’ll need to upload the file to your Google Drive. It doesn’t matter if it’s to your main Google account or an auxiliary account. You just need to make sure you have access and can upload files. Once you upload your file to the account, you’ll need to locate the file and copy the link to it. After you do that, you’ll want to paste that link into the chat. From there, the users will be able to download the file right from the Drive.
Below, we’re going to go through using this method using both your computer and your smartphone. It’s a multi-step process, but it’s super simple once you get the hang of it.
Using Google Drive to share the file
Using Google is probably the most simple and straightforward for most Android users. It’s the default cloud service that comes with your Google account, and it provides you with 15GB of storage for free. If you want access to more storage, we have the different payment tiers listed at the bottom of this piece. They’re worth looking at.
The plans go up exponentially in storage (and in price), but those are definitely for those with a lot of stuff to store. Now, the process of sharing the files differs depending on whether you’re using your phone or your computer.
Using your smartphone
You’re most likely using your phone to handle your WhatsApp messaging. Thus, we’re going to cover the process for phones first. There’s a certain step that you need to do on both mobile and desktop platforms in order for this to work, and that’s managing the access to the file.
When you’re uploading the file via your phone, you can either go to the Google Drive app and tap on the colored “+” button on the bottom. From there, locate your file and upload it. You might want to upload it to a new folder or a location where you can easily find it.
Once it’s uploaded, tap on the three-dot menu on the right side of the file. Now, this is the important step: tap on Manage people and links. You’ll be taken to a page with your profile picture up top. Under that, you’ll see Link settings (or General access) and a Restricted setting right below. Tap on it, tap on the top button that reads “Restricted, Only people added can open”, and select the option that says “Anyone with a link”.
The thing is that, when you upload a file to Google Drive, its access is limited to only people who you added to Google Drive. This means that if you send it right away, other people won’t be able to open or view the file.
Now, with the Anyone with the link setting, other people will be able to open or access the file. Just know that you should keep the link away from people who you don’t trust.
Back out to that screen. The Link settings should say “Anyone with a link”. Tap on the little chain icon on the right of the setting to automatically copy the link. After that, just paste the link into your chat.
Using a computer
If you’re using a computer, the process is just a little bit different. First, go to the Google Drive website (drive.google.com). From there, you can click the “+” button on the top left of the interface and locate the file you want to send. Either that or you can drag and drop the file.
Once your file is uploaded, you’ll then right-click on the file and click on the Share option. When you do that, you’ll see a popup with the options to change the permissions. Clicking on the Restricted button will summon a dropdown menu with the option to change it to Anyone with a link. When you change it, you’ll see the link up top go green. From that point, click the Copy Link button on the right of the link, and you’re ready to paste.
Google Drive tiers
If you’re using Google Drive and plan on storing a lot of large files to send on WhatsApp, then there are some additional storage options out there. If you’re happy with 15GB, then you don’t really have to worry, but that can fill up quickly if you’re not careful. The next tier up is the 100GB for $1.99/month ($19.99/year). For an extra dollar a month, you can double the storage to 200GB for $2.99/month ($29.99/year).
However, what if 100GB and 200GB are rookie numbers? Google’s got you covered with plans that are offer terabytes of storage. The 2TB plan only costs you $9.99/month ($99.99/year). You can also get 5TB for $24.99/month ($249/year).
The remaining payment tiers only have monthly billing. With them, you get 10TB for $49.99/month, 20TB for $99.99/month, or 30TB for $149/month.