Your Android phone fails to send videos to contacts? Carriers limit MMS (multimedia messaging service) to 3.5MB, while with Google RCS you can send up to 105MB of video to the recipient. Your Android phone not sending videos may confuse you. We’ve compiled troubleshooting tips to get your phone back to sending videos in no time.
There are many factors behind the Android phone not sending videos issue. It could be a faulty network connection, large video size, or insufficient balance in your account.
1. Check your carrier plan
Most mobile operators charge a certain amount to send MMS to the recipient(s). Sending a multimedia message normally costs more than a normal text message. If you’re a prepaid user with insufficient account balance, use your carrier’s app to purchase add-ons.
2. Confirm an active network connection
You cannot send videos in the default Messages app if your Android phone is suffering from network connectivity issues. You can turn airplane mode on temporarily and turn it off to reset the network connection.
Step 1: Swipe from the top to open the notification bar menu.
2nd step: Swipe down again to reveal Quick Toggles.
Step 3: Turn Airplane mode on and turn it off after a few seconds. Activate mobile data from the same menu.
3. Force stop messages
You can force stop the Messages app and try sending videos again. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Long-press the Messages app icon and tap the “i” button to open the app info menu.
2nd step: Tap “Force stop” and confirm your decision.
This will close the Messages app. You can open the app and try sending videos again.
4. Enable unlimited data usage for messages
The Messages app may not send videos in active data saver mode. You will need to allow unlimited data usage to Messages to send videos without any issues.
Step 1: Open the message info menu (check the steps above).
2nd step: Select the “Mobile data and Wi-Fi” option.
Step 3: Activate the “Unlimited data usage” button in the following menu.
5. Enable Chat Features
When you enable chat features in Messages, the app uses Wi-Fi or data for messaging when available. With chat features, you also enable read receipts, typing indicators, and more. You use Google’s RCS (Rich Communication Services) to send videos. RCS can send up to 105MB of video file during one conversation.
Step 1: Open the Messages app on Android.
2nd step: Tap the kebab menu (three dots) in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Select Settings.
Step 4: Tap Chat Features.
Step 5: Enable chat features toggle.
Go to the main home menu and open a conversation to start sending videos again.
6. Clear message cache
Due to a corrupted message cache, you may experience issues while sending videos. It’s time to clear the message cache and try again.
Step 1: Head to the info menu of the Messages app (refer to the steps above).
2nd step: Select “Storage and cache”.
Step 3: Tap “Clear Cache” and you’re good to go.
7. Use third-party messaging apps
If you still can’t send videos in the default Messages app, you should try third-party instant messaging apps to get the job done. The world’s largest messaging platform – WhatsApp limits the video upload size to only 16MB. You can use Telegram to send up to 2 GB of video without any problem.
8. Generate a shareable link via Google Photos
If your contact is not available on any of these platforms, you can generate a shareable link via Google Drive, Google Photos or OneDrive and send large videos without any problem. We will take Google Photos as an example here.
Step 1: Open Google Photos on Android.
2nd step: Find a video you want to share. Long press it.
Step 3: Select “Save” at the bottom.
Step 4: Upload the video to Google Photos servers.
Step 5: After a successful download process, long press on the video and select Share.
Step 6: Tap Create link.
Step 7: Use the default Android share menu to send a video link to friends and family.
9. Update Posts
An outdated Messages app may be preventing you from sending videos to contacts on your Android phone. Google distributes the Messages app through the Play Store. You can head to the Google Play Store and search for Messages. Update the app to the latest version and try sending videos again.
Send videos without breaking a sweat
You can also use third-party apps from Google Play Store to reduce video file size to send via error-free messages. What trick worked for you? Share your findings in the comments below.