LinkedIn's messaging help documents sending video through the media picker and file attachment. On mobile, that media menu can also capture a new clip with the camera. You share a video the same way you share a photo — through the media picker — or by attaching a video file. The Send a photo, video, GIF, or emoji (opens in a new tab) page confirms that videos go through the same picture/attach flow, and the attach files (opens in a new tab) page lists MP4 and MOV as the supported video formats, with attachments capped at 20 MB.
Those are the documented native routes. Anything more elaborate is a hosted link, which is a different thing.
The two native routes
1. The media picker — on desktop, the Picture icon inside a conversation lets you upload photos and videos. On iOS and Android, the Attach or Add icon offers Take a photo or video (capture a new clip) or Send media from library (choose an existing one).
2. A file attachment — the paperclip-style attach flow sends a document, image or video as a file, with the type and size limits LinkedIn lists.
The distinction matters for limits. The media picker is described for photos and videos without a stated size; the file-attach path has an explicit 20 MB ceiling.
Send a video with the media picker
LinkedIn gives the steps per surface.
Desktop
- Click the Messaging icon at the top of your homepage, or the conversation window at the lower right.
- Open a conversation.
- Click the Picture icon to upload photos and videos, or the GIF or Emoji icon for those types.
- Click Send.
iOS
- Tap the Messaging icon, open a conversation, tap the Attach icon.
- Choose Take a photo or video to capture a new clip, or Send media from library to pick one you already have.
- Tap the Send icon.
Android
- Tap the Messaging icon, open a conversation, tap the Add icon.
- Choose Camera to capture, or Media to pick from your gallery.
- Tap the Send icon.
Send a video as a file
When you need the video to arrive as a downloadable file, use the attach flow:
- Click the Messaging icon (or Compose) and choose the recipient.
- Click the Attach icon. On desktop you can also drag and drop the file into the message box.
- Select the file — up to 20 MB.
- Click Send. On mobile, choose Send a document first.
Formats, sizes and what is actually documented
| Item | What LinkedIn states |
|---|---|
| Video formats for attachments | MP4, MOV (desktop, iOS and Android) |
| Attachment size limit | Up to 20 MB |
| Media-picker size limit | Not stated on the page reviewed here |
| Length limit for a video in a message | Not stated on the messaging pages reviewed here |
Read that table as a warning against copying numbers from other contexts. LinkedIn does publish video limits for posts and live broadcasts, but those are different features; the messaging pages here do not state a video length, so this guide does not either.
For comparison, voice notes are capped in length and are mobile-only, as covered in LinkedIn voice messages. The two messaging pages reviewed here state no video length, so this guide does not either — another reason to keep clips short by choice rather than by rule.
A short illustrative storyboard
This is an illustrative script, not a measured performer. For a 30-second sales video inside a conversation with a 1st-degree connection:
- 0-5s — name and reference: "Hi Priya, it's Alex; we met at the procurement summit."
- 5-20s — one specific idea tied to something they said or a public post.
- 20-30s — one small next step, then stop.
Keep it to camera, record somewhere quiet, and say the person's name early. Video works when it feels addressed to one person; a generic clip reads worse than plain text.
Troubleshooting an upload
- The file will not attach. Check the size against the 20 MB limit and the format against MP4 or MOV. A long screen recording will usually exceed 20 MB.
- The format is rejected. Convert to MP4, which both desktop and mobile list.
- You want a longer video. Upload it to a hosting service and send the link instead. A link is not a native video message — the conversation holds a URL, not the file — but it avoids the attach limit.
- Nothing seems to send. LinkedIn documents a separate troubleshooting flow for message sending issues, which is the place to look when the problem is the message rather than the file.
The honest limitation: video goes out as media or a file, so "sending a video message" on LinkedIn is really "sending a video inside a message", and the constraints depend on the route you pick. A file attachment is capped; the media picker has no stated size on the pages reviewed here. Decide which route you need before you record, and test with a short clip first. If you want to see how a vendor presents video in a messaging workflow, Clapa's overview is one example; the native mechanics here come from LinkedIn.
FAQ
How do I send a video message on LinkedIn? Open a conversation and use the media picker (Picture on desktop; Attach or Add on mobile) to upload or capture a video, or attach an MP4 or MOV file up to 20 MB.
How long can a video message be? LinkedIn's messaging pages reviewed here state no length limit for a video in a message. The file-attach route caps size at 20 MB.
Which video formats does LinkedIn messaging accept? MP4 and MOV are listed for desktop, iOS and Android attachments.
Can I send a video from my desktop? Yes. The desktop media picker lets you upload photos and videos, and you can also drag a video file into the message box to attach it.