Google Voice can’t send video files. Its texts are limited to photos (JPG and PNG) and GIFs, and large images are compressed before they’re sent. To share a video with someone through Google Voice, upload it to Google Photos, Google Drive, or YouTube, create a share link, and paste the link into your text. The other person taps the link to watch the video.
What you can and can’t send with Google Voice
| Type | Can you send it? |
|---|---|
| Photos (JPG, PNG) | Yes. Large images are compressed. |
| GIFs | Yes |
| Videos | No. Send a link instead. |
| PDFs, documents, audio files | No. Send a link instead. |
Method 1: Share a video link from Google Photos
- Open Google Photos and tap the video.
- Tap Share, then Create link (or Copy link). The video uploads if it isn’t backed up yet.
- Open Google Voice, go to Messages, and open the conversation.
- Paste the link into the message box and tap Send.
Anyone with the link can watch the video, so only share it with people you trust. You can turn off link sharing later in Google Photos under Sharing.
Method 2: Share from Google Drive
- Upload the video to Google Drive.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to it and choose Share > Manage access (or Copy link).
- Under General access, choose Anyone with the link so the recipient doesn’t need to sign in.
- Copy the link, paste it into Google Voice, and send it.
Method 3: Upload to YouTube as unlisted
For longer videos, upload to YouTube and set Visibility to Unlisted. Only people with the link can find it. Copy the video’s link and send it in Google Voice.
Tips if your link doesn’t go through
- Carriers sometimes filter texts with links as possible spam. If a message isn’t delivered, add a short personal note with the link, or send the text first and the link in a second message.
- Use the full link instead of a link shortener when possible, since shortened links are filtered more often.
- Try another app for large or important videos. Google Messages with RCS, WhatsApp, or email can send video files directly.
For more on why texts fail, see how to tell if a Google Voice text was delivered.
How to send a photo in Google Voice
- Open a conversation in Google Voice.
- Tap the image icon next to the message box (on a computer, click Send image).
- Choose a photo or take one, then tap Send.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t Google Voice send videos?
Google Voice’s picture messaging only supports images and GIFs. Google hasn’t added video support, and Google Voice doesn’t support RCS, which is how other apps send higher-quality media.
Can I send a video from Google Voice on a computer?
Not as a file. At voice.google.com you can paste a link the same way you would on your phone.
Can I send a GIF instead?
Yes. For very short clips, you can convert the video to a GIF with an app and send it as an image. GIFs over 2 MB are compressed.
Can I receive videos on Google Voice?
Picture messages from other people may come through, but videos sent to a Google Voice number don’t always arrive or play reliably. Ask the sender to share a link if a video doesn’t show up.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.