iMovie export settings for WhatsApp chat.
720 x 1280 at 30 fps, H.264, 1.9 Mbps and AAC 128 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in iMovie.
iMovie to WhatsApp chat
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 720 x 1280
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264
- Bitrate
- Quality: Custom: target 1.9 Mbps (1923 kbps), max 2.1 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Automatic (no setting in iMovie)
- Audio
- AAC-LC, default bitrate, 48 kHz, stereo
- Colour
- Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range
- Container
- MP4 with Fast Start (moov atom at the front)
Sized so a 1:00 clip fits the 16 MB limit with 4% headroom.
Estimated size: 15.5 MB for 1:00.
- 1080p is above what WhatsApp chat supports here, so this uses 720p.
Step by step in iMovie
- 1Select the movie in the browser and choose File > Share > File.
- 2Format: Video and Audio. Resolution: 720p vertical.
- 3Quality: Custom, then drag the slider to about 1.9 Mbps. Watch the file size estimate under the thumbnail.
- 4Compress: Better Quality.
- 5Click Next, name the file, choose a folder and click Save.
- 6On iPhone or iPad: tap the project, tap Share, tap Options, set the resolution, tap Done, then Save Video.
WhatsApp chat upload limits
Each value links to where it was published.
- Sent as media (older pages say 16 MB): 16 MB
- Sent as media (desktop help): 100 MB
- Sent as a document: 2 GB
Common mistakes
- Exporting a 16:9 timeline for WhatsApp chat. Build the edit at 720 x 1280 (9:16) from the start, or WhatsApp chat adds bars or crops your edges.
- Exporting at YouTube quality and then sending it to WhatsApp chat. Set the bitrate for the length of the clip (here 1923 kbps for 1:00) so WhatsApp chat does not refuse or squash it.
- Looking for a frame rate box on export. iMovie exports at the project frame rate, so set the project to 30 fps before you edit.
- Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to WhatsApp chat. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
- iMovie on Mac shares in SDR only; HDR clips are tone-mapped. Send the movie to Final Cut Pro for HDR.
For comparison, YouTube publishes 5 Mbps for 720p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 1:00.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from iMovie for WhatsApp chat?
For 720p vertical at 30 fps use about 1.9 Mbps (1923 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 2.1 Mbps. Sized so a 1:00 clip fits the 16 MB limit with 4% headroom.
What resolution and frame rate should I use for WhatsApp chat?
720 x 1280 at 30 fps is a safe choice. WhatsApp chat: Desktop help: 720p by default on faster connections, 480p on slower ones.
What is the maximum file size and length on WhatsApp chat?
File size: Up to 2 GB when sent as a document. As media, pages differ: 100 MB (64 MB on slow links) on desktop help, 16 MB on older FAQ pages.
Which codec should I pick in iMovie for WhatsApp chat?
H.264, profile High, level 3.1, in an MP4 file. WhatsApp chat lists: Business Cloud API: H.264 video and AAC audio only; Main or Baseline profile without B-frames for Android.
Can I export HDR from iMovie to WhatsApp chat?
WhatsApp chat has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
iMovie for other platforms
Other editors for WhatsApp chat
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get WhatsApp chat-ready edits back?
Our editors cut, caption, colour and export to each platform's spec, with 2 revision rounds. Shorts come back in 48-72 hours, long videos in 5-10 days.