WhatsApp The File Format Is Not Supported
By Madalina Dinita 118 Comments
If you can’t send photos, videos, or other files via WhatsApp, the file format may indeed not be supported. This could also be a temporary glitch caused by running an outdated app version or using incorrect date and time settings.
In this quick guide, we’ll bring you five solutions to solve this problem.
Fix WhatsApp File Not Supported Errors
Check the File Format
There are certain file formats that WhatsApp does not currently support. For example, the platform does not support AVI video files. However, WhatsApp does support MP4, MOV, and MKV files.
On the other hand, whether or not you can send and open certain types of files also depends on your terminal. In other words, if your device does not have the necessary codecs, you won’t be able to open that file or send it to another person.
Change the File Location
One quick workaround to get rid of this error is to simply change the location of the problematic file.
In other words, copy the file and then save it somewhere else on your phone. For example, if the problematic file is an image or video, open the Gallery and create a new album. Then add the file to the new album.
When you try to send it again via WhatsApp, make sure to navigate to the new file location.
Check Your Date and Time Settings
If your date and time settings are not correct, your terminal won’t connect to WhatsApp’s servers and download the files your contacts sent you.
Go to Settings → System → Date & time. And set your phone to configure time zone information automatically.
Update WhatsApp
If you’re running an outdated WhatsApp version, the list of potential glitches and errors is endless. And it includes the file format error.
Open the Play Store app and search for WhatsApp. If there’s an Update button next to the app, tap it.
Restart your phone after updating the WhatsApp app. Check if the error is gone.
Check Your SD Card
Not being able to send or receive files via WhatsApp may indicate your SD card is corrupted. In this case, you only have two main choices: format the SD card and erase all the content, or get a new SD card. Check if WhatsApp still says the file format is not supported.
Reader Interactions
Comments
1. J Taylor says October 18, 2021 at 6:36 am Certain videos I cant send via WhatsApp it comes up file not supported?! Anybody know why? It’s soooo frustrating as this is the way I send videos to family members
2. R D says October 10, 2021 at 3:51 pm I can no longer forward ANY media from one whatsapp chat to another. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING!!
3. Amila says October 2, 2021 at 5:18 am Same with we. Cant send images from sencond. Any fix? It was running very well and today i faced this problem for first time.
4. Peter says August 26, 2021 at 2:49 pm You have to screenshot the photo from the dual whatsapp and then you can send it. Absolutely appalling by samsung.
5. Tarek Ibrahim says August 24, 2021 at 3:25 am Same problem here. st watsapp works nd (dual watsapp) cant send pics from gallery nor directly through camera. Note: i am using dual watsapp for more than a year, and it used to work till almost 2 months back.. Could it be due to some bad update. Pls fix this bug…
6. Hakan says August 17, 2021 at 11:31 pm I am using samsung galaxy S20 FE with dual sim. My 1st WhatsApp app running perfectly but 2nd Whatsapp app always shows file format not supported and pics, videos won’t transfer. What would be the reason.? It is frustrating.
7. Dan says August 14, 2021 at 4:31 pm Yup, I confirm that’s a bug with the _dual_ whatsapp – it “doesn’t support” plain old .jpg’s on my phone, whereas the _regular_ version works like it should.
8. Anas says August 7, 2021 at 9:06 am I am having the same problem, There is hidden dual whatsapp folder, they moved the other whatsapp folder to Android data. I can’t send photos inside the dualwhatsapp, and I have issues with sending voice record If any one can help it would be appreciated
9. Amandeepsingh says August 5, 2021 at 8:19 am Same issue samsung dual whatsap
10. ARMY 7 says August 2, 2021 at 3:14 am IT DOESN’T WORK. IT’S I THINK A WORLD WIDE ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RESOLVE ASAP, IAM NOT ABLE TO SEND BTS OR ANY TYPE OF VIDEOS TO OTHER IN A VIDEO FORM IN MY LAPTOP… PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE…..
11. Smile says August 1, 2021 at 10:33 am File not supported pops up everytime I want to take a picture n send on dual WA.
12. Abraham Lazaro says July 31, 2021 at 1:20 am Samsung user here having the same problem “file not supported in my dual whats up”
13. Sanjeev Kr Arora says July 30, 2021 at 10:26 pm My 1st WhatsApp app running perfectly but when i inserted 2ñd sim and installed 2nd WhatsApp on ßame device … 2nd WhatsApp app always shows file foŕmat not supported ànd pics, videos won’t transfer. What would be the reason.?
14. Vinit bukka says July 29, 2021 at 5:49 am Tried everything, but the issue still not resolved. I cannot see the dual whatsapp folder. When found, it does not have anything in it. Quite frustrating.
15. Prabhakaran says July 28, 2021 at 11:49 pm With Samsung M31S having the same problem with dual whatsapp
16. Daniel says July 28, 2021 at 8:15 am I formated my note9 almost because of this.had settings and apps since oct 2018… i needed the format anyway..this dual whatsapp issue was the ripoing point. Formated. Reinstalled whatsapp , ewcovered the backup and…. still got the issue!! Only on the dual version…the standard Whatsapp works fine. Will try the Whatsapp business version, according to latest post here…
17. jennifer says July 16, 2021 at 7:49 am Well… clear cache + reboot seemed to be only a temporary solution. The problem came back and the trick isn’t working anymore.
18. jennifer says July 14, 2021 at 3:59 am Same issue on my dual WA on my A50. Clear cache like proposed here + phone reboot solved the issue for me.
19. David says July 14, 2021 at 2:24 am Dual app misbehaving not taking photos. Started after June security update. They have hidden the dual whatsapp folder and moved the other whatsapp folder to Android Data. Can anyone help find the Dual App folder?
20. David says July 14, 2021 at 1:01 am They have hidden the dual whatsapp folder after the last update. I’m on Android 11 UI 3.1. They moved the other whatsapp folder to Android data. Can anyone find the dual whatsapp folder?
21. Misbah Nadeem says July 11, 2021 at 5:04 pm Nope this didnot help, even if we do back up and restore the data but still some of the data is missing , really frustrating .. do any one have any other solution rather then uninstall and then reinstall…
22. Jatin Mittal says July 9, 2021 at 9:11 pm it seems to be a worldwide issue after latest update. We all are using samsung handset.
23. Saeed says July 9, 2021 at 4:27 pm This glitch happened today morning after i updated my WhatsApp i went to the WhatsApp gallery for videos and images and noticed they all have “file not supported” pop up message ive tried to create more space but still haven’t been to able to get my media back. Help
24. Haider says July 9, 2021 at 7:43 am Dear All, I have tried everything. The best solution is to make your back up on google drive. Then delete your dual whatsapp. Now install whatsapp Business and recover your back-up in whatsapp Business. In this way your all problems will be resolved including file format error and display of 2nd whatsapp media files in gallery. Thanks.
25. Thilina Nanayakkara says July 8, 2021 at 12:10 am Having the same issue in Note . SAMPA says July 7, 2021 at 11:13 pm Going through this on my dual whatsapp. Quite frustrating
27. James c says July 6, 2021 at 12:55 pm Yep, me too. Dual whatsapp on a galaxy note 20 ultra
28. Narendra says July 5, 2021 at 9:54 pm If whats is not listening all such problems, they simply don’t want any more customer, simply switch to another app.
29. Sumant says July 5, 2021 at 1:23 pm I have same problem in my dual app
30. Debbie says July 4, 2021 at 8:33 am Same issue, im using samsung note 10. Cant forward or open anythg from my dual whatsapp. Work fine on the other whatsapp
31. Suji0911 says July 2, 2021 at 10:33 pm Nothing as yet with so many users facing the same issue , are you going to start charging for the dual watts app .. This is frustrating ..all.my official messages are through the dual watts app.
32. Joe says July 1, 2021 at 1:36 pm Did anyone find a solution to this? It’s my dual WhatsApp too. Main one seems fine second doesn’t.
33. Sajjad Yasin says July 1, 2021 at 2:29 am . In android Settings, go to apps Locate whatsapp and select . Select sotrage and press “clear cache data” This solved my issue instantaneously. Note: there are 2 options “clear data” and “clear cache”. Do not use “clear data” or you will loose all previous chats, pics etc.
34. Mark says June 30, 2021 at 6:48 am I have the same problem with my A40. Duel sim, one WA can send and work ok but the other one has stopped sending or saving to the gallery it won’t take pictures with camera. I just get file not supported. All the settings are the same and nothing on my phone has changed. Any help will be appreciated
35. Cherry says June 30, 2021 at 6:43 am Same problem.Any one have solution.
36. UmeshD says June 29, 2021 at 7:43 am I have also same problem with my Samsung M30, please suggest solution.
37. Dalia says June 29, 2021 at 5:31 am Same problem here any solution? I have note . Wendy says June 28, 2021 at 11:58 am I thought I was the only one with this problem. My dual WhatsApp can take photos within the app, or videos. Can’t forward media either. Can’t edit and upload. Device Samsung A . Mo Malek says June 28, 2021 at 11:24 am I have same problem on my dual whatsapp when I want to take picture or video by app camera but I can send pic choosed from gallery. Also I can’t send gif files and I can’t add stickers to my favourites.
40. Vikram Bhandari says June 28, 2021 at 6:35 am I have the same problem. I uninstall my dual whatsapp and re install but still the same. Direct camera photo is not support to send I can’t send any thing directly I have galaxy S10+
41. Pradbpat says June 28, 2021 at 2:02 am Same problem in my dual whatsapp ! For all videos and documents its showing the same message. Done all actions suggested above. The problem persists. seems to be a problem with Samsung Phones only. . Device : Samsung M31S
42. Haider says June 27, 2021 at 10:17 pm Yes same problem with my dual whatsapp. Started few days back. Please suggest a solution bas it is really annoying.
43. Patriciah says June 27, 2021 at 4:22 pm I thought I was the only one with this problem on my dual whatapp,, I have tried all the above.
44. Abeo says June 27, 2021 at 10:43 am Did anyone get help? I am having the same problem with my second what’s app, and now reading these comments I also did update my phone recently. I really need help on this.
45. oscar says June 26, 2021 at 6:11 pm Same issue here Samsung S20+ dual messenger I reinstall the app and it works yesterday but today the issu re appear again.
46. Daniel says June 26, 2021 at 6:04 am Same issue in dual whatsapp Samsung S10e Please help!!
47. Georgina Belas says June 26, 2021 at 4:43 am Having the same problem with dual whatsapp. Can’t upload pics and videos. No pics or videos are being saved. And I can’t find them in my internal storage.
48. Adi says June 26, 2021 at 4:14 am This is a problem with dual WhatsApp. There doesn’t seem to be a solution to this till Android or WhatsApp rolls out an update. No option but to wait and watch.
49. Mihir H. Pandya says June 26, 2021 at 2:38 am I’m also having the same problem. Not able to attach direct photos taken thru what’s app. Even on Internal storage Dualapp, there is no folder of whatsapp on it. Images and videos are in whatsapp but not on physical memory irritating. Cannot take photo from whatsapp or open pdf or send photo. Samsung A9 2018. I even Uninstalled and reinstalled dual whatsapp.
50. Lina says June 25, 2021 at 8:04 am Same here with my dual whatsapp. It started few days ago.
51. Amila says June 25, 2021 at 6:12 am I’m also having the same issue in dual Whatsapp messenger on Samsung A12.
52. ashish uppal says June 25, 2021 at 2:05 am Any solution so far guys,
53. JR says June 25, 2021 at 12:47 am Same issue with S20+ secondary dual messenger, file format not supported any time trying to take picture through the app. Can’t upload any pictures either. Every day WhatsApp is backing up different sizes one day could be 2gb or 9gb. However no WhatsApp pictures or videos have saved since Saturday 19th.
54. Mamta says June 24, 2021 at 1:09 pm I have same problem with my 2 nd whatsapp after I update my software. Pls some one resolve
55. Mamta says June 24, 2021 at 1:08 pm I have same problem with my work nd whatsapp after I update my software. Pls some one resolve
56. … says June 24, 2021 at 11:05 am Same problem in my dual whatsapp ! For all videos and documents its showing the same glitch . Device : Samsung M31S
57. Prashika Ramnath says June 24, 2021 at 10:44 am Same problem experienced I even Uninstalled and reinstalled dual whatsapp
58. Di says June 24, 2021 at 5:54 am I am having the same issue using mote 20 ultra with dual whatsapp. Does anyone have a fix? I updated restart and still the same error file not supported pops up can’t upload pics or crop them
59. SUMAN says June 24, 2021 at 4:37 am Same problem, I CANNOT TAKE DIRECT PHOTOS OR VIDEOS IN MY DUAL WHATSAPP. I ALSO CANNOT OPEN or ATTACH PDF FILES IN DUAL WHATSAPP.
60. Mark Keatinge says June 23, 2021 at 8:33 pm Me too Dual sum samsung 9 note One whats app can share the other one not
61. vivek chaturvedi says June 23, 2021 at 7:32 pm Dual whatsapp not supported by any media storage and can’t retrieve or send the pictures and videos It states that the file format is not supported Kindly advise it’s very urgent
62. OO says June 23, 2021 at 1:33 pm I have similar challenge with my Samsung Note 10. Started few weeks back.
63. Rahiman says June 23, 2021 at 11:49 am I’m also having the same issue in dual app messenger.
64. Ahmed essa saleh says June 23, 2021 at 6:33 am i can’t take photos with whats app camera and the error is always the file format is not supported and i restarted and cleared the caches and checked the date and there’s no updates available what should i do ?!
65. Shreyash shukla says June 23, 2021 at 5:16 am Whats the solution for this?…It occurs on Samsung after new update of software…A . Tanya Jeyasingham says June 23, 2021 at 5:10 am This has started to happen to me also this week. I have dual SIM and two whatsap accounts. I cannot take photos . share photos. Or a gif I’ve no idea how to resolve this issue. Is there anyone I can report this to? It’s so annoying!! On the plus glad it’s not just me as being a tech novice I thought I’d done something!!🙈
67. alex tanzw says June 23, 2021 at 3:25 am Havin problem with Dual Whatsapp as well in Samsung Note 9. Uninstall and installed numerous time but still the same. Anyone with solution to this?
68. NaseerAhammed G Md says June 23, 2021 at 12:26 am I have the same problem. I uninstall my dual whatsapp and re install but still the same. Direct camera photo is not support to send with Samsung M . Chandan kumar says June 22, 2021 at 11:38 pm S32 5G model … I am also facing same issue … can’t take photo in dual watsapp.
70. Llowellyn Albertus says June 22, 2021 at 8:09 pm Same problem with my S10 Samsung. file format not suported..for whatsapp2.cannot foto direct
71. Jananitha says June 22, 2021 at 6:48 am I have the Same Problem, My Dual Whatsapp is showing file format not supported and my phone is Samsung A71. I think this is not Whatsapp problem, it is Samsung Dual messenger feature problem. I’m facing this from 18th June.
72. Tejas Tammewar says June 21, 2021 at 9:50 pm Facing same problem since last 4 days. Please help….
73. van d says June 21, 2021 at 3:50 pm iam having same problem with whatsapp dual on A . kedar says June 21, 2021 at 1:58 am not able to forward images or download them properly, and this is happening only with images, started few weeks back
75. Marc says June 21, 2021 at 1:06 am I am experiencing the same things after update, dual whatsapp doesn’t work to ßend direct pics or grabbing them through archive.
76. John Doe says June 20, 2021 at 10:33 pm Im facing the same issue on on Dual WhatsApp, however its working on the regular one. Im also not able to crop the photos. Using Note . Jack Tan says June 20, 2021 at 9:21 pm YES EXACTLY ! I CANNOT TAKE DIRECT PHOTOS OR VIDEOS IN MY DUAL WHATSAPP. I ALSO CANNOT OPEN PDF FILES iN DUAL WHATSAPP. WHAT IS GOING ON !?!!?
78. Saddam says June 20, 2021 at 6:10 pm Same problem, anyone with solution
79. Haris says June 20, 2021 at 2:28 pm I have samsung A70 ihave the same problem.my dual whatsapp is not working means I cannot attach photos
80. Tri Kurnia Prasetia says June 20, 2021 at 12:37 pm I have same problem. After update my samsung s10 software. Try to uninstall my whatsapp but still have same problem
81. Coco says June 20, 2021 at 12:18 pm I have the same issue. The file format is not supported on my dual whatsapp.
82. shariq says June 20, 2021 at 10:25 am I have Samsung s10+ can’t able to send any media or file it says couldn’t attach failed and file format not supported as above other comments can you please help me ?
83. Andi says June 20, 2021 at 8:08 am Same problem on my Samsung Galaxy A71 for dual Whatsapp. How to get the update?
84. Nicole says June 20, 2021 at 7:33 am Same thing with my Dual WhatsApp. It’s literally failing. Cleared cache even but to no avail
85. Abdelrahman says June 20, 2021 at 7:24 am same problem for all above i cannot take photo through WhatsApp it give “file format not support” and i cannot open pdf files also any help ?
86. Nicola says June 20, 2021 at 6:50 am I have the exact problem. My files from whatsapp are not supported. I cannot post pictures or videos to my status, Instagram, FB. I took it to a technician who I think tried everything he could. He back up my files, uninstall whatsapp and reinstall. The problem remains the same. My phone is relatively new. It a samsung A71. Can someone please help me fix this problem.
87. Tariq says June 20, 2021 at 12:14 am Since 2 days, i have same problem Samsung galaxy A Cant send photo bideo documents nothing at all There is written file format is not supported. Re-installed … cannot still… Nx to the addition to this problem, i cant backup my whstsapp history ss well
88. Hazel says June 19, 2021 at 10:42 pm Tried all the recommendation but not working. Yes, the issue in my dual whatsapp.
89. Evelyn says June 19, 2021 at 10:38 pm I have as same.issjes..please help
90. Herion says June 19, 2021 at 4:38 pm Same program on dual whatsapp on samsung galaxy s10e only in one whatsapp format not supported
91. Faisal says June 19, 2021 at 4:17 pm
92. Kapil says June 19, 2021 at 11:20 am I have the same problem with dual app. Please help!
93. Kapil gupta says June 19, 2021 at 11:15 am I have the same problem. Dual app is not working.
94. Ravi Sankar Kandukuri says June 19, 2021 at 3:07 am Even I have same issue, I think all of us who are facing this problem as per the comments are Samsung users. So problem might be with the recent update of Samsung. We might need to raise this issue in Samsung website
95. flak says June 19, 2021 at 2:12 am I have the same problem. It happen to dual whatapp. I uninstall my dual whatsapp and re install but still the same. From file folder, the dual whatsapp folder was having different folder inside. Direct camera and send photo is not support to send
96. Reen says June 19, 2021 at 12:33 am I also have same issue. In 2 days, for my dual whatsapp it appear the file format not supported when i want to sent photos or open any file, but for the main whatsapp works well. It already the latest version for whatsapp. I’m using samsung A30s, please help me to solve this issue.
97. Rahul says June 18, 2021 at 12:43 pm I have the same problem..Please help!
98. Faysal says June 18, 2021 at 3:15 am I am using Samsung Galaxy A71 and facing this “file format not supported error” since last month, Have tried uninstalling and re-installing Whatsapp but in vain. facing same issue again, been looking for its solution but have yet succeeded.
99. Yusuf says June 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm I have the same problem. I have samsung note 10+. The normal whatsapp works fine but the issue is with the dual whatsapp. Cannot take photo from whatsapp or open pdf or send photo . Sergio says June 17, 2021 at 3:20 pm Some1 fix it? The problem is.in the dual whatsapp . ayyad k k abudaqqa says June 17, 2021 at 2:36 pm I have the same problem. I uninstall my dual whatsapp and re install but still the same. Direct camera photo is not support to send I can’t send any thing directly I have galaxy note 20 ultra . Lourdes says June 17, 2021 at 1:08 pm fml, have same issue with dual whatapp app. If Anyone finds the solution please let me know. . Japjeet says June 17, 2021 at 11:15 am Same issue after updating the new version on 11th July 2021 on my Samsung S9+. . Cecilia Mapfunde says June 17, 2021 at 5:54 am Dual Sim my second whatsapp also not taking direct photos or downloads. Started last week after an update. Changed phones and worked for a day but after some updates stopped working. Any help appreciated. . siva rao says June 17, 2021 at 1:09 am My self also having same problem when sending pictures it’s prompt file not supporting please guide me as well . Daim says June 17, 2021 at 12:30 am Hi All , I have the exact same problem. Dual App is not working. . jenish says June 16, 2021 at 6:20 am yes i have same problem in samsung a50. any one solve? . Gaurav sachdeva says June 16, 2021 at 2:49 am Dual WhatsApp on Samsung. One works fine but second no longer allows direct photo. I can’t attach one without problem. . Simoy says June 15, 2021 at 10:51 pm I have the same problem. I even uninstalled and reinstalled whatsapp and it’s not working. I have the note 10.. It’s a dual sim. One whatsapp is working just fine all of a sudden the other is saying files aren’t supported. I cannot even operate the camera, or open a pdf etc. . Haroon Rashid says June 15, 2021 at 11:44 am I’m also having the same problem. Not able to attach direct photos taken thru what’s app. Moreover not able to open pdf files. Samsung A . Ratheesh says June 15, 2021 at 9:44 am I have same issue. In dual whats up number i cannot send photos or videos. I m using samsung m51.please fix this issue. . Chandana says June 14, 2021 at 7:29 pm I have the same problem, but its for my whtsapp DUAL/ AM not able to send any photos or videos or not able to even click a photo in whtsapp. It says file not supported. Any idea how to get rid of this. . Mat Sheikh says June 14, 2021 at 2:31 pm I am in the same boat as you guys are and it is extremely frustrating as it is my business account as well so unable to send/receive files has been a mini disaster of sort. Don’t really know what to do. Please if someone comes up with a solution then tell, very confused right now. . Venkey says June 14, 2021 at 10:57 am I have the same problem but only videos not supported please help me . Tom Findlay says June 14, 2021 at 10:14 am Dual WhatsApp on Samsung. One works fine but second no longer allows direct photo. I can’t attach one without problem. This seemed to start after a Samsung update last week. . Abc says June 12, 2021 at 11:42 am I have the same problem. I uninstall my dual whatsapp and re install but still the same. Direct camera photo is not support to send . Ilkin Gudratov says June 11, 2021 at 11:08 am Since 2 days, i have same problem Samsung galaxy s10Plus Cant send photo bideo documents nothing at all There is written file format is not supported. Re-installed 6 times… cannot still… Nx to the addition to this problem, i cant backup my whstsapp history ss well . Yasir arafat says June 6, 2021 at 4:32 am All try but problem same..file format not suported..for whatsapp2.cannot foto direct
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