WhatsApp has file size limits for media, including audio files. The maximum file size allowed for sending is 16 MB, which can sometimes be restrictive, especially for high-quality audio files like WAV or FLAC. If your audio file exceeds this limit, you’ll need to compress it to ensure it can be shared via WhatsApp.
In this article, we’ll explore various methods to reduce the audio file size on macOS, including using native and third-party tools. We’ll also look at techniques like changing the file format, reducing bitrate, trimming the audio, and more.
Following article is how to compress audio files using a Mac application. If you want to quickly compress your audio files online, you can use the XConvert audio compressor to compress audio files such as MP3 and FLAC. You can change the bitrate and sample rate to compress the audio file.
1. Changing the Audio File Format
Different audio formats have different compression algorithms, which can significantly affect file size. MP3 is one of the most compressed and widely supported formats and is ideal for WhatsApp.
How to Convert Audio Files to MP3 Using iTunes (Now Apple Music):
- Open Apple Music (iTunes):
- Open Apple Music (or iTunes on older macOS versions).
- Import the Audio File:
- Go to File > Import and select the audio file you want to compress.
- Adjust Import Settings:
- Go to Music > Preferences.
- In the Files tab, click on Import Settings.
- Select MP3 Encoder from the Import Using dropdown.
- Choose a lower bitrate (e.g., 128 kbps) to reduce file size. The lower the bitrate, the smaller the file will be.
- Convert the File:
- In your library, select the imported file.
- Go to File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.
Pros:
- Widely supported: MP3 files are universally accepted, making them ideal for WhatsApp and other platforms.
- Significant compression: MP3 uses lossy compression, reducing file size significantly without drastic quality loss, especially for casual listening.
Cons:
- Quality loss: MP3 compression can cause a noticeable reduction in audio quality, especially at lower bitrates.
2. Reduce the Bitrate
The bitrate (measured in kbps) represents the amount of data processed per second of audio. Reducing the bitrate is a simple and effective way to compress an audio file. Lowering the bitrate reduces file size, but also affects sound quality.
How to Reduce Bitrate Using Audacity (Free Tool):
- Download Audacity:
- If you don’t already have Audacity, you can download it from audacityteam.org.
- Open the Audio File:
- Open Audacity and drag the audio file into the interface.
- Export with Lower Bitrate:
- After loading the file, go to File > Export > Export as MP3.
- In the export window, select the Quality dropdown and choose a lower bitrate (e.g., 128 kbps or 96 kbps).
- Save the File:
- Name your file and save it in the desired location.
Pros:
- Quick file size reduction: Lowering the bitrate immediately reduces the file size.
- Control over compression: You can manually select the bitrate based on your size and quality preferences.
Cons:
- Audio quality degradation: Reducing the bitrate too much (below 96 kbps) can result in significant quality loss, especially with music.
3. Trim Unnecessary Parts of the Audio
If your audio file has long silent sections or unnecessary parts, trimming these can greatly reduce its size.
How to Trim Audio in QuickTime Player:
- Open QuickTime:
- Locate the audio file, right-click, and select Open With > QuickTime Player.
- Trim the Audio:
- In QuickTime, go to Edit > Trim.
- Drag the sliders to select the portion of the audio you want to keep. Everything outside of the yellow box will be removed.
- Save the Trimmed File:
- Go to File > Save to export the trimmed audio.
Pros:
- Effective for shortens audio: Trimming unwanted sections (e.g., silence, intro, outro) can significantly reduce the file size without compromising quality.
- No quality loss: Trimming doesn’t affect the original quality of the audio.
Cons:
- Limited reduction: Trimming only reduces file size if you remove substantial portions of the audio. For very small reductions, this may not be enough.
4. Compress Audio Files Using Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps on macOS are designed to compress audio files quickly and efficiently.
Using Audacity:
In addition to lowering bitrate, Audacity can compress files using its Compressor effect to reduce dynamic range (the difference between loud and quiet parts), which can sometimes help reduce file size.
- Open Audio in Audacity:
- Import the file into Audacity.
- Apply Compression:
- Select the portion (or all) of the audio and go to Effect > Compressor.
- Adjust the settings to apply mild compression and reduce dynamic range.
- Export the File:
- Export the audio in MP3 format with a lower bitrate.
5. Change Sample Rate
The sample rate refers to how many samples of audio are captured per second. For most audio, a sample rate of 44.1 kHz (CD quality) is more than enough. However, reducing the sample rate (e.g., to 22 kHz) can reduce file size.
How to Change Sample Rate in Audacity:
- Open Audio File in Audacity:
- Drag the audio file into the Audacity interface.
- Change the Sample Rate:
- At the bottom-left corner, find the Project Rate (Hz) and select a lower rate (e.g., 22,050 Hz).
- Export the File:
- Go to File > Export and save the file with the new sample rate.
Pros:
- Reduces file size: Lowering the sample rate can significantly reduce file size.
- Maintains reasonable quality: For spoken word or simple audio, reducing the sample rate may not affect quality much.
Cons:
- Quality loss: Lower sample rates can degrade audio quality, particularly for music.
Why Reduce Audio File Size for WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has a strict 16 MB limit for media files. Many audio files—especially high-quality recordings—can easily exceed this limit. Reducing the file size ensures that you can share files without encountering upload errors. Additionally, smaller file sizes are faster to upload, download, and take up less storage on your device.
Summary of Methods
| Method | File Size Impact | Quality Impact | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convert to MP3 | Significant | Moderate loss (at low bitrate) | Easy |
| Reduce Bitrate | Significant | Moderate to high loss | Moderate |
| Trim Audio | Moderate | None | Easy |
| Change Sample Rate | Moderate | Moderate loss | Moderate |
| Third-Party Compression | Significant | Depends on settings | Easy to Advanced |
Conclusion
Reducing the audio file size for WhatsApp on macOS can be done in multiple ways, from converting the file format to trimming and compressing the audio. While each method has its pros and cons, the right approach will depend on your specific needs, such as how much quality loss you’re willing to tolerate and how much file size reduction is required.
For casual WhatsApp sharing, converting your audio to MP3 with a lower bitrate or trimming unnecessary parts of the file is often more than sufficient. However, for higher control over the compression process, tools like Audacity provide powerful options for managing the balance between file size and audio quality.
Featured photo by Amin Moshrefi on Unsplash