Send any file with WhatsApp
The most recent WhatsApp update for Android and iOS enables the sending of any file type to other users of the messaging service.
File attachments were limited to a selection of files up until now. This meant that you could not send any file type not supported officially to other users of WhatsApp.
This was a clear disadvantage in comparison to messaging services like Telegram or Skype which supported the sending of any file types for a long time.
The most recent update to WhatsApp introduces the functionality, but it may not be clear right away how it is used.
Note: You need to make sure that the most recent version of WhatsApp is installed on your device, as the functionality is only available in those new versions. You need at least WhatsApp Messenger 2.17.254 or later for the functionality.
Sites like APKMirror host the new version already, and you may download the latest version of WhatsApp from the site if you cannot use Google Play update or download the latest version from Google Play.
Send any file with WhatsApp
Once you have made sure that you run a version of WhatsApp that supports the sending of all files, you can get started right away.
First thing you need to know that there are file size limits in place. While you can send any file type, Android users may send files up to a 100 Megabytes in size, and iOS users files with a size of up to 128 Megabytes.
From there, it is just a matter of opening a chat, tapping on the attachment icon next to "type a message", and selecting the document option from the menu that opens.
While it still reads document, it is no longer limited to document formats. It would probably be best if WhatsApp would rename the option to File instead to make that clearer. The file that is sent is then displayed in chat with its type and name.
One interesting application for the new file sharing option is that you can now use it to send images without having those images compressed by WhatsApp before they reach the recipient. If you attach images directly, these images get compressed. While that is not a problem as long as you view the image on WhatsApp only, it usually won't look fine if you display the transferred image on a larger display, or print it. Simply select documents and then the images that you want to send to avoid that from happening.
Now You: Which messenger do you use predominantly?
I use Line because:
1. Whatsapp: doesn’t have desktop app
2. Skype: very few users here, full of ads too
3. Telegram: very few users, and today got blocked by my country
4. Kakao Talk: was big but now has few users
5. WeChat: don’t know anyone who use it
If only Whatsapp have desktop app like Line..
It actually does. You need to have a cell phone that is connected to the internet tho..
Whatsapp doesn’t have a desktop application but has a web application which you can access through your web browser and chat from there.
Why don’t you use the browser app (Whatsapp Web) ? It even saves time from the installing/updating routine …
@Priscilia: I’m sorry, but what year are you in? Of the above-mentioned applications, only Whatasapp and Skype are of any relevance. I don’t know ANYONE who uses Line. Literally all my contacts use either Whatsapp or Skype.
All applications above are popular in Asia and emerging countries. Line is number one in Japan, Kakao Talk is number one in Korea, WeChat used by many people in China because China blocks foreign apps(QQ has more users I think).
Line is the second most used chat app after WhatsApp in here.
You can try Googling about the active users stats for those applications if you don’t believe me.
Meanwhile Skype is almost never heard, corporations used to use Skype but now they’ve changed to Slack.
BBM used to be number one here but now you’ll get mocked if you’re still using BBM.
Prisclia: You MUST be Indonesian. :-)
I use Whatsapp because my friends use it. I installed All-in-one messanger extension in Chrome on PC to connect. It’s more practical (as an example: no need to scan QR code every time) than Apps web in browser. I don’t need to first run my Crome portable, because I use only shortcut.
Viber is always the best
Did someone try already encrypted zip files?
Most of my friends are tech illiterates, so I wasn’t able to send them that kind of data and ask.
Whatsapp does have a desktop app, see https://blog.whatsapp.com/10000621/Introducing-WhatsApps-desktop-app
no it does not. the desktop app is just an embedded chrome browser called electron. check the insane file size.
you also need a phone to be always connected to internet, basically your phone just send message to your pc.
“Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device. “
Telegram is really the best, once you convince your social circle that it is better than WhatsApp and switch.
Some reasons to consider Telegram:
– Not owned by Facebook
– Open source mobile app & desktop app
– Lightweight, portable, stand alone desktop app that you could use even if you didn’t have a cell phone, that includes: file transfer, voice calls, …
– Ability to give out a username and keep your your phone number hidden.
– Night Mode theme: save your eyes!
– Convenient sending message to yourself to sync between devices.
and you could send any file type with Telegram for a long while….