WhatsApp Video Notes: Save, Forward, and Download (2026)

WhatsApp video notes are short circular videos you can record and send directly inside any chat. They work like voice messages but with video. The problem? WhatsApp makes it surprisingly hard to save, forward, or download them.

This guide covers everything you need to know about WhatsApp video notes in 2026: how to record them, how to save them to your phone, how to forward them to other contacts, and how to download them on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web.

What Is a WhatsApp Video Note?

A video note is a short circular video message you record directly inside a WhatsApp chat. You press and hold the camera icon next to the text field, record up to 60 seconds of video, and release to send it.

Video notes autoplay silently in the chat feed. The recipient sees a small circular preview that loops three times on mute. Tapping it plays the video with sound in a larger view.

WhatsApp introduced video notes in 2023 as a companion to voice messages. They’re designed for quick, informal communication rather than polished video sharing.

Video Notes vs Regular Videos

How to Record a Video Note

Recording a video note is the same on both Android and iPhone.

1. Open a WhatsApp chat (individual or group).
2. Find the camera icon to the right of the text input field. On some devices this appears as a small video camera icon; on others you may need to tap the attachment icon first.
3. Press and hold the camera icon. Your front camera activates and recording starts immediately.
4. Keep holding to record. You can tap the flip icon to switch between front and rear cameras while recording.
5. To lock the recording (so you don’t need to keep holding), slide your finger upward toward the lock icon. Once locked, you can let go and the recording continues.
6. When finished, release your finger to send instantly. If you locked the recording, tap the send arrow to send, or tap the trash icon to discard.

The maximum length is 60 seconds. There’s no way to pause and resume. You also can’t upload a pre-recorded video as a video note; it must be recorded live in the chat.

Tips for Better Video Notes

• Record in good lighting. The front camera compresses heavily inside WhatsApp, so low light makes things look grainy.
• Speak clearly. Audio quality depends on your phone’s microphone and connection speed.
• Use a stable Wi-Fi connection. Poor connectivity during recording or sending can cause quality loss.
• Hold your phone at eye level for a more natural look.

How to Save a Video Note

WhatsApp does not include a “Save” or “Download” button for video notes. This is intentional. Video notes are designed to feel temporary, like voice messages. But there are several ways to save them anyway.

Method 1: WhatsApp Web (Easiest)

This is the simplest method if you have access to a computer.

1. Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser or open the WhatsApp desktop app.
2. Link your phone if you haven’t already.
3. Navigate to the chat that contains the video note.
4. Click the video note to play it.
5. Right-click on the video while it’s playing.
6. Select “Save video as…” from the context menu.
7. Choose where to save the file on your computer.

The file saves as a standard video format that you can transfer back to your phone, share by email, or upload anywhere.

Method 2: Android File Manager

WhatsApp stores video notes locally on Android devices. You can find them with any file manager app.

1. Open Files by Google, Solid Explorer, or any file manager app.
2. Navigate to: Internal Storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Video Notes
3. Inside this folder, video notes are organized by date.
4. Find the video note you want. Long-press to select it.
5. Copy or move it to your Downloads folder, or share it directly to another app.

If you use WhatsApp Business, the path is slightly different: Android > media > com.whatsapp.w4b > WhatsApp Business > Media > WhatsApp Video Notes

Note: Some phone manufacturers hide the Android/media folder by default. You may need to enable “Show hidden files” in your file manager settings.

Method 3: Screen Recording

Screen recording works on both iPhone and Android when other methods aren’t available.

On iPhone:

1. Open the WhatsApp chat with the video note.
2. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
3. Tap the Screen Recording button (circle icon). A 3-second countdown starts.
4. Go back to WhatsApp and tap the video note to play it with sound.
5. When the video finishes, swipe down again and stop the recording.
6. Open the Photos app. Find the screen recording and use the trim tool to crop out the extra footage.

On Android:

1. Open the WhatsApp chat with the video note.
2. Swipe down from the top to open Quick Settings.
3. Tap “Screen Recorder” (the exact name varies by phone brand).
4. Play the video note in full screen with audio enabled.
5. Stop the recording from the notification shade.
6. Open your Gallery app and trim the recording to just the video note.

Screen recording captures whatever is on screen, so the quality depends on your display resolution and the video note’s original quality.

Method 4: ScreenApp Online Recorder

For higher quality captures or when you need to record multiple video notes at once, use ScreenApp’s online screen recorder. You get clean recordings without the phone UI clutter, plus built-in trimming and editing tools. This works well for business communication where you need to archive video notes professionally.

You can also use the Chrome screen recorder extension to capture video notes directly from WhatsApp Web without any extra steps.

How to Forward a Video Note

WhatsApp does not let you forward video notes. There’s no “Forward” option in the long-press menu like there is for regular messages, photos, and videos.

This is a deliberate restriction. WhatsApp wants video notes to stay in their original conversation, similar to how Snapchat treats snaps.

The Workaround

To share a video note with someone else:

1. Save the video note using one of the methods above (WhatsApp Web, file manager, or screen recording).
2. Open a new chat with the person you want to share it with.
3. Tap the attachment icon (paperclip on Android, plus sign on iPhone).
4. Select “Gallery” or “Document” and pick the saved video file.
5. Send it as a regular video attachment.

The forwarded version will appear as a regular rectangular video, not a circular video note. The recipient can save and forward it normally.

How to Download Video Notes

“Downloading” a video note means the same thing as saving it. WhatsApp video notes don’t have a dedicated download button, so you use the same methods described in the saving section above.

Here’s a quick comparison of which method works best on each platform:

For most people, WhatsApp Web is the fastest option. If you only have your phone, Android users should try the file manager method first since it gives you the original file quality. iPhone users will need to use screen recording.

Video Notes on WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web and the desktop app support receiving and playing video notes. You can’t record video notes from your computer, though. Recording is only available on the mobile app.

On WhatsApp Web, video notes appear as circular previews just like on mobile. Click to play, right-click to save. This makes WhatsApp Web the best tool for downloading video notes since you get the original file without any quality loss from screen recording.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Video Note Button is Missing

If you don’t see the camera icon next to the text field:

• Update WhatsApp to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Restart WhatsApp completely (force close and reopen).
• Check that your phone’s operating system is up to date. Video notes require Android 5.0+ or iOS 16+.

No Sound on Video Notes

Video notes autoplay on mute by default. To hear audio:

• Tap the video note to open it in the larger player view.
• Make sure your phone volume is turned up.
• Check that no Bluetooth devices are connected and stealing the audio output.
• Verify your phone is not in silent or vibrate mode.

Video Notes Look Blurry

WhatsApp compresses video notes to keep file sizes small. If they look especially bad:

• The sender may have recorded in low light or with a dirty camera lens.
• A weak internet connection during sending or receiving causes extra compression.
• Make sure both parties are using a stable Wi-Fi or strong cellular connection.

Camera Permission Errors

If WhatsApp says it can’t access your camera:

• On Android: Go to Settings, then Apps, then WhatsApp, then Permissions. Enable Camera and Microphone.
• On iPhone: Go to Settings, then WhatsApp. Toggle Camera and Microphone on.
• If permissions are already enabled, try toggling them off and on again, then restart WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Cache Problems (Android)

If video notes fail to load or play:

1. Go to Settings, then Apps, then WhatsApp, then Storage.
2. Tap “Clear Cache” (not “Clear Data,” which would delete your chats).
3. Restart WhatsApp.

This forces WhatsApp to re-download media files and often fixes playback issues.

Privacy and Video Note Etiquette

WhatsApp video notes use end-to-end encryption, just like all other WhatsApp messages. Nobody outside the conversation, including WhatsApp, can see or listen to your video notes.

However, once you save a video note to your device or computer, it loses that encryption. The saved file is a regular video that anyone with access to your device can view.

Before saving or sharing someone else’s video note, consider whether they’d be comfortable with that. Video notes feel personal. They’re often recorded casually, with the expectation that they’ll stay in the conversation. Ask before sharing, especially with personal or sensitive content.

FAQ

How do I record a video note?

Open any WhatsApp chat and press and hold the camera icon next to the text input field. Recording starts immediately. Release your finger to send, or slide up to the lock icon to record hands-free. Tap the send arrow when finished.

How long can a video note be?

The maximum length is 60 seconds. There’s no minimum length. You can send video notes as short as one second.

Can I forward a video note?

No. WhatsApp does not allow direct forwarding of video notes. To share one with another person, save the video note first (using WhatsApp Web, file manager, or screen recording), then send it as a regular video attachment.

Why can’t I find the video note button?

Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version. The video note feature requires a recent version of WhatsApp. Also check that your phone’s operating system meets the minimum requirements (Android 5.0+ or iOS 16+).

Can I save a video note to my gallery?

Yes, but not directly from WhatsApp. Use WhatsApp Web to right-click and save, use Android’s file manager to copy the file from the WhatsApp Video Notes folder, or use screen recording on iPhone. See the saving methods above for full instructions.

Are video notes included in backups?

Yes. Video notes are included in your WhatsApp chat backup (Google Drive on Android, iCloud on iPhone). But you can’t access individual video notes from a backup file. They’re only accessible within the chat where they were sent.

Can I send a video note in a group chat?

Yes. Video notes work in both individual and group chats. Everyone in the group can view and play the video note.

What’s the difference between a video note and a video call?

A video note is a short recorded message (up to 60 seconds) sent in a chat. A video call is a live, real-time conversation. Video notes are one-way and asynchronous. Video calls are two-way and happen in real time.

Can I add text or captions to a video note?

No. Video notes are sent as-is with no option to add text overlays, captions, stickers, or filters. If you need those features, record a regular video and send it as an attachment instead.

Do video notes use a lot of data?

Video notes are compressed to keep file sizes small, typically under 5 MB for a full 60-second clip. They use significantly less data than a regular video of the same length.

For professional recording or archiving needs, ScreenApp’s AI screen recorder lets you capture video notes with better quality and built-in editing tools. You can also use our mobile app for on-the-go recording and organization.