This article covers attachment limits in Finalsite Chat, including how many files a message can hold and what happens when a message goes over a limit.
💡 Quick answers
- What's the maximum number of files that can be attached to one Chat message? 30 attachments per message.
- What's the maximum file, photo, or video size in Chat? 20MB per attachment. One limit covers all attachment types; there's no separate, smaller limit just for video.
- Is there a total size limit for the whole message? No. Only the per-file size (20MB) and the per-message count (30 files) are limited. There's no additional cap on the combined size of everything attached to one message.
- Is the limit different on Web Chat versus the mobile app? No. Both run on the same backend, and the limits are enforced on the server, so they apply identically no matter which one is used.
- Does the limit change based on role (student, parent, teacher)? No. Attachment permissions can be turned on or off per role, but once a role is allowed to send attachments, the same 30-file and 20MB limits apply. No role gets a larger or smaller allowance.
- Why won't a video send? Almost always because the file is over 20MB. See Tips for sending large videos below.
In this article
- Attachment limits at a glance
- What happens when a message goes over a limit
- Tips for sending large videos
Attachment limits at a glance
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Attachments per message | Up to 30 files |
| Size per file | 20MB max. Applies equally to photos, videos, and files. |
| Total size per message | No separate cap. Governed only by the per-file and per-message-count limits above. |
| Web Chat vs. mobile app | Identical. Both are enforced server-side. |
| By role (student, parent, teacher) | No difference. Attachment permission is on or off per role, but the limits themselves don't change. |
Attachment permissions (whether a role can send photos or files at all) are configured separately by a school leader. See Allow for attachments in the Chat environment settings article.
What happens when a message goes over a limit
- Over 30 attachments: Chat shows: "You can attach up to 30 files per message." Remove attachments until the count is 30 or fewer, or split them across more than one message.
- A single file over 20MB: That file is rejected when it's added, before the message can be sent. Compress or trim the file (see below for video) and try again.
Tips for sending large videos
Video is the attachment type most likely to run into the 20MB limit. Even a short clip recorded at normal quality can exceed it. If a video won't attach:
- Trim the clip to just the relevant portion before sending.
- Lower the recording quality or resolution in the device's camera settings before recording, or re-export at a lower resolution if the video already exists.
- Use the device's built-in compression when sharing. Many phones offer a smaller file size option in the share sheet.
- Share a link instead. Upload the video to a shared drive or video platform and paste the link in the chat message.
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