Can’t download, open, or send media files
Android
iOS
Android
iOS
Note: Media include photos, videos, audio, video messages, voice messages, location, reactions, documents, stickers, gifs, and emojis.
If you can’t download, open, or send media files, the most common reason why is a weak internet connection. We recommend you:
- Restart your phone, or turn it off and on.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Update your phone to the latest version.
- Try connecting to mobile data if you're on Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi if you're on mobile data.
- Contact your mobile provider.
Issues with opening or downloading media could also be related to your SD card. Check if your SD card has:
- Enough storage space. You might need to delete WhatsApp data from your SD card to free up space to open or download media.
- Read-only mode is turned off.
If you’re still having issues, your SD card might be corrupted and need to be reformatted or replaced.
Can’t hear audio
If you're experiencing issues with audio playback, try the following:
- Close other applications that might be using your audio output and interfering with WhatsApp's audio playback.
- Test the file using an audio player outside of WhatsApp.
Can’t open PDF
If you're unable to open a downloaded PDF file on your phone, try the following:
- Make sure you have a PDF reader installed on your phone. Without a PDF reader, you won't be able to open a downloaded PDF file.
- If the file is password-protected, confirm that you have permissions to view the file.
- If the file still won’t open, try turning your phone off and then back on.
Note: If you can't open a downloaded PDF file on your phone, make sure it has a PDF reader installed. If the file is password-protected, confirm you have the right permissions to view it. If the file still won't open, try turning your phone off and back on.
