How to Send Large Files on WhatsApp Without Google Drive (without cutting it)

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How to Send Large Files on WhatsApp Without Google Drive

Sending large files on WhatsApp can be challenging due to the platform’s size restrictions. WhatsApp allows users to share files like documents, images, and videos, but the maximum file size is limited to 16 MB for media and 100 MB for documents. This limit can be frustrating, especially when you want to share high-quality videos, long audio recordings, or large files. Many people rely on Google Drive to bypass this limit, but what if you don’t want to use Google Drive? Fortunately, there are alternative methods to send large files on WhatsApp without using Google Drive. In this post, we’ll explore several easy methods you can use.

1. Compress the File Before Sending

One of the most straightforward ways to send large files via WhatsApp is to compress them. By reducing the file size, you can bring it within WhatsApp’s limit and send it without needing external storage services like Google Drive.

How to Compress a File:

  • For PC (Windows):
    • Right-click the file or folder you want to compress.
    • Select “Send to” and then click “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
    • This will create a zip file, which you can then send on WhatsApp.
  • For Mac:
    • Right-click the file or folder.
    • Select “Compress [filename].”
    • This will create a compressed zip file ready to send.
  • For Android:
    • Download a file compression app like WinZip or RAR.
    • Open the app, select the file you want to compress, and choose the compress option.
  • For iOS:
    • Download a compression app like iZip from the App Store.
    • Select the files you want to compress, and the app will create a zip file.

After compressing the file, check if it is under the 100 MB limit for documents or 16 MB for media. If it’s within the limits, send the compressed file directly via WhatsApp.

2. Use File-Sharing Apps

Several file-sharing apps allow you to send large files directly to others without using cloud services like Google Drive. These apps are designed to handle large file transfers and are a great way to bypass WhatsApp’s size limitations.

Recommended File-Sharing Apps:

  • WeTransfer: WeTransfer allows you to send files up to 2 GB for free. The process is simple: upload the file, generate a link, and share the link on WhatsApp. The recipient can download the file from the link.
  • Send Anywhere: This app allows you to transfer files as large as 10 GB. After uploading the file, you’ll get a six-digit key or a link that can be shared via WhatsApp. The recipient can download the file by entering the key or accessing the link.
  • Xender: Xender allows you to transfer large files between devices without data charges. You can share files over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the recipient doesn’t need to install Xender as they can access the files via a web link shared through WhatsApp.

How to Use File-Sharing Apps:

  • Step 1: Download the file-sharing app (e.g., WeTransfer or Send Anywhere).
  • Step 2: Upload your large file to the app.
  • Step 3: Generate a download link or a code.
  • Step 4: Share the link or code on WhatsApp. The recipient can then use the link or code to download the file.

3. Change the File Extension

WhatsApp restricts certain file types, like videos and audio, to a smaller size (16 MB). However, it allows document files (like PDFs or .docs) to be sent up to 100 MB. By changing the file extension of the media to a document type, you can trick WhatsApp into sending a larger file. This method works best for files close to the size limit.

How to Change the File Extension:

  • Step 1: Rename the file. For example, change video.mp4 to video.pdf.
  • Step 2: Send the renamed file via WhatsApp.
  • Step 3: Instruct the recipient to change the file extension back to the original format after downloading (e.g., from video.pdf back to video.mp4).

This method works because WhatsApp applies different size restrictions to documents compared to media files. However, you will need to explain to the recipient how to rename the file extension.

4. Use Cloud Storage Alternatives

If you want to avoid using Google Drive specifically, there are plenty of other cloud storage options that allow you to share large files easily. Once uploaded, you can generate a shareable link and send it via WhatsApp.

Alternatives to Google Drive:

  • Dropbox: You can upload large files to Dropbox, generate a sharing link, and then share that link on WhatsApp. Dropbox’s free plan offers up to 2 GB of storage.
  • OneDrive: Microsoft’s OneDrive gives you 5 GB of free storage. After uploading your file, create a shareable link to send through WhatsApp.
  • Mega: Mega offers a generous 20 GB of free storage. Upload your file, generate a link, and share it via WhatsApp.

While these services are cloud-based like Google Drive, they offer a wider variety of options to suit your needs, especially if you don’t want to rely solely on Google’s ecosystem.

5. Splitting Large Files

Another method to send large files via WhatsApp is by splitting them into smaller parts. This is especially useful for videos or other large media files that can be divided into multiple segments.

How to Split Files:

  • For PC:
    • Use software like 7-Zip or WinRAR to split a large file into smaller parts. You can set the file size for each segment to be within WhatsApp’s limit.
    • Once split, send each part separately on WhatsApp. The recipient will need to extract the files after downloading.
  • For Android:
    • Apps like Split Files or RAR for Android allow you to split large files into smaller segments, which can then be sent one by one.
  • For iOS:
    • Use apps like File Splitter to divide large files into smaller chunks that can be shared easily.

Once split, you can send the parts individually, and the recipient can combine them on their end to reconstruct the file.

6. Use WhatsApp Web for Large Document Transfers

WhatsApp Web is a useful tool when sending documents that are close to the size limit, as it tends to handle larger files more smoothly than the mobile app. If you’re dealing with documents or PDFs that are slightly over 100 MB, try sending them through WhatsApp Web.

How to Use WhatsApp Web:

  • Step 1: Open WhatsApp Web in your browser.
  • Step 2: Connect your phone by scanning the QR code.
  • Step 3: Attach and send your large document from your computer. Since WhatsApp Web is optimized for document transfers, it often works better for files near the upper size limit.

Conclusion

Although WhatsApp has strict file size limits, there are several creative ways to bypass these restrictions and send large files without resorting to Google Drive. Whether it’s compressing the file, using file-sharing apps, splitting the file into smaller parts, or renaming extensions, you can easily share large media or documents. Depending on the type and size of the file, these methods can help you make the most of WhatsApp’s file-sharing capabilities without the need for cloud services like Google Drive

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