How to Crop WhatsApp Videos on iPhone & Android

This guide shows you how to trim and crop WhatsApp videos on both iPhone and Android. You’ll learn the built-in editing tools that let you cut the length and adjust the frame before sending, so you can share exactly the moment you want without extra apps.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or Android phone with WhatsApp installed
The video you want to edit saved on your device
WhatsApp updated to the latest version (check your app store)

Step-by-Step

Open WhatsApp and start a chat. Go to the conversation where you want to send the video.
Attach the video. Tap the + (or paperclip on Android) icon next to the message box, then select Gallery (iPhone) or Photos & Videos (Android).
Pick the video. Tap the video you want to edit. It will open in a preview screen.
Trim the video (both platforms). On the preview screen, you’ll see a timeline at the bottom. Drag the yellow (iPhone) or blue (Android) handles on the left and right to set the start and end points. The length shown in the middle updates as you drag.
Crop the video (iPhone only). On iPhone, tap the crop icon (a square with arrows) in the top-right corner. You’ll see a frame with handles at the corners and edges. Drag them to select the area you want to keep. Tap Done to apply.
Crop the video (Android – using a workaround). Android’s built-in editor doesn’t have a direct crop tool. To crop, you’ll need to use a separate app like Google Photos or a video editor. Open the video in Google Photos, tap Edit, then Crop, adjust the frame, and save. Then return to WhatsApp and attach the edited video.
Preview your edit. Tap the play button to check the trimmed/cropped result.
Send. Once satisfied, tap the send button (paper plane icon).

Common Mistakes

Dragging the wrong handle. Make sure you drag the left handle to change the start point and the right handle for the end. Dragging the middle moves the whole clip without trimming.
Cropping too tight. If you crop too closely, the subject might be cut off. Leave a little margin around the main action.
Forgetting to save the cropped video on Android. When using Google Photos, you must tap Save copy after cropping, otherwise the original is sent.
Sending the wrong file. After editing, double-check that the video in the chat is the edited version, not the original.

Tips

Use the zoom feature on iPhone. While cropping, you can pinch to zoom in and out for finer control.
Keep the aspect ratio in mind. WhatsApp supports vertical, square, and horizontal videos. Choose a crop that fits the content—vertical for stories, square for profile pictures.
Edit before sending to save data. Trimming a long video reduces the file size, which uploads faster and uses less mobile data.
Use the built-in editor for quick trims. For simple length cuts, the WhatsApp editor is sufficient. For complex cropping, use a dedicated app.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the crop icon on iPhone. Make sure the video is selected and the preview screen is fully loaded. If the icon is grayed out, try closing and reopening WhatsApp.
Android crop option not appearing. Some Android versions don’t have a crop option in WhatsApp. Use Google Photos or any video editor app as described above.
Video sends as a document instead of a video. This happens if the file is too large. Trim it shorter or reduce the resolution before sending.
Edited video looks blurry. WhatsApp compresses videos. To keep quality, consider sending as a document (tap the paperclip, then Document) but note the recipient will need to download it.
Trim handles not responding. Restart the app or your phone. If the issue persists, update WhatsApp from the app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I crop a video in WhatsApp on Android?

No, WhatsApp’s built-in editor on Android only allows trimming, not cropping. You need to use a separate app like Google Photos to crop the video before sending.

Does WhatsApp compress videos after editing?

Yes, WhatsApp compresses videos to reduce file size, which can lower resolution. For higher quality, send as a document instead.

Can I undo an edit after I’ve applied it?

On iPhone, you can tap the crop icon again and reset. On Android, if you haven’t sent the video yet, you can remove it and re-attach the original.

Will the recipient see the cropped version or the original?

They will see the version you send after editing, not the original.

Can I rotate a video in WhatsApp?

No, WhatsApp doesn’t have a rotate tool. Use your phone’s gallery or a video editor to rotate the video before sending.

Why can’t I trim a video that’s longer than 2 minutes?

WhatsApp allows sending videos up to 16 minutes, but the interface may have limitations on very long files. Try trimming it in your phone’s gallery first.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →