WhatsApp for iOS adds option to send uncompressed images and videos

WhatsApp has added the option to send image and video files in their unaltered, original state in its latest update for iOS.

With this feature, users can now choose to send media files without the additional compression that the app would perform to save data. This is separate from the HD quality option that was added earlier this year, which would only lightly compress files to preserve more of the original quality.

To send images and videos in their original quality, users need to pick the option to send Documents upon which they will be presented with an additional option to send photos or videos along with files. The image or video files they select will then be sent as-is in original quality. WhatsApp has a limit of 2GB for sending files in their uncompressed state.

This feature has been in testing for some time now but was finally rolled out to all users this week. It has also been long time coming, since competing services like Telegram have had this option for years now. Unfortunately, WhatsApp is only bringing this feature to iOS for now with no word on Android availability, although Android users can still receive these files.

Reader comments

Can't wait for everyone in the family group chat to send uncompressed news and "funny" video files exceeding 2GB.

  • Anonymous

you could send 2 GB files via whatsapp if you had root and changed the limit in the app's build prop file. it has been out for at least a decade

  • Anonymous

This has been already available for Android for years.