Can we still turn off video messages? WhatsApp in 2026?
The answer is no, because the “Instant Video Messages” has disappeared from the WhatsApp settings.
It no longer serves a purpose, because WhatsApp has separated the microphone button and the camera button in chats, making it impossible to accidentally send a video when you meant to send a voice message.
We'll explain why this happens and what you can do if a contact sends you too many videos—without having to block them.
Why has the “Disable Video Messages” option disappeared?
When WhatsApp launched instant video messages in July 2023; a simple short press of the button The microphone turned him into a camera icon, and a long press went straight to video recording.
The result: a lot of accidental messages, which frustrate users.
Meta then added a toggle in Settings > Discussions > Instant Video Messages to turn off this switch.
Since then, WhatsApp has separated the two features: you now have a camera button and one microphone button separate in each conversation.
The issue with accidental sending no longer exists, so the option has been removed. If you look for it in your settings, you won't find it—that's normal.
How do I send a voice or video message today?
In any discussion, in the lower-right corner of the text box:
- Press the microphone briefly → you record a voice message
- Long-press the camera icon → you can record a instant video message
- Tap the camera icon briefly → this opens the standard camera app
The two buttons are clearly separate. There is no automatic switching between them.
Is it possible to stop receiving video messages on WhatsApp?
Nope, not natively. WhatsApp does not offer any settings to filter a specific type of message.
Three options depending on the situation:
- ✅ Archive the conversation : New messages no longer appear in the main tab (long press on the conversation → archive icon).
- ✅ Turn off notifications from this contact.
On Android: Chat → contact name → Custom Notifications → check the «Use custom notifications» box → set Notification Sound to «None.».
On iPhone: Messages → contact name → Notifications → Alert Sound → select «None» → Save
- ✅ Block a WhatsApp Contact : drastic but permanent. To do this: Chat → contact's name → Block. You won't receive anything from them anymore.
Disable automatic video playback and downloading
This option doesn't prevent you from receiving messages, but it stops videos from downloading and playing automatically as soon as you open a conversation.
On iPhone :
- WhatsApp → Settings tab (bottom right) → Storage and Data → Under "Auto-download," uncheck "Videos" for mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming.
On Android :
- WhatsApp → ⋮ (top right) → Settings → Storage and Data → under "Automatic Media Download," uncheck "Videos" for each connection type.
The result: Videos no longer download without your permission; you have to tap on them to load them.
FAQs
Will the “Instant Video Messages” feature ever return?
Unlikely. Since the two buttons are separate, the option is no longer useful. If WhatsApp ever revisits this, we'll update this article.
Can you disable video messages only in groups?
No. The only settings available on the group side are muting notifications or leaving the group.
I still see the “Instant Video Messages” option in my settings—is that normal?
Your version of WhatsApp is probably outdated. Update the app through the Play Store or the App Store; the option will disappear after the update.
English