WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps for iOS and Android devices. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos and make calls over the internet. However, as its usage increases over time, WhatsApp can take up a considerable amount of storage space on your iPhone.
Here are some quick answers to common questions about clearing WhatsApp memory on iPhones:
How to check WhatsApp storage usage on iPhone?
To check how much storage space WhatsApp is using on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This will show a detailed breakdown of storage used by each app on your device. Look for the WhatsApp entry to see how much space is being used.
Does deleting WhatsApp messages free up space?
Yes, deleting WhatsApp messages, photos and videos will help free up space on your iPhone. Media files like photos and videos tend to take up more storage than text messages. So regularly removing old media content from chats can significantly reduce WhatsApp storage usage.
Does deleting WhatsApp free up space?
Simply deleting the WhatsApp app itself does not free up space. This is because the app data and media content still remains saved in your iPhone’s storage. To properly clear WhatsApp storage, you need to delete old chats and media before uninstalling the app.
How much storage does WhatsApp use on iPhone?
WhatsApp can use up to several GBs of space depending on usage. Photos and videos exchanged in chats take up the most space. On average, WhatsApp uses 150-500MB on iPhone but this number can grow significantly over time.
How to clear WhatsApp storage on iPhone?
Here are the steps to help clear WhatsApp storage and free up space on your iPhone:
Delete old chats
Open WhatsApp > Chats. Delete old or unimportant chat threads individually by swiping left and tapping ‘Delete’. This removes media and messages from those chats.
Delete large files
Open individual chats and delete large files like photos, videos and voice messages. This quickly frees up storage space.
Clear chat history
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat History. Tap on a chat and select ‘Delete Chat’. This wipes the entire chat history clean including messages and media files.
Enable auto-delete chats
Turn on auto-delete chats in WhatsApp Settings to automatically remove old chats after a set duration. This prevents build up of old chats over time.
Offload unused chats
Offloading unused chats removes them from your iPhone but keeps them on WhatsApp servers. Go to Settings > Chats > Offload Unused Chats. This frees up device storage.
Clear iPhone cache
Go to iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Tap on WhatsApp and select ‘Offload App’ to clear app cache. Reinstall WhatsApp after offloading.
Uninstall and reinstall
As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to completely clear all storage used by the app. Make sure to backup chats before uninstalling.
Enable auto-media deletion
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats and enable ‘Auto-Delete Media’ to automatically remove media after a duration like 30 days. This prevents media buildup over time.
How to backup WhatsApp before clearing storage?
It is recommended to backup WhatsApp chats before attempting to clear app storage on your iPhone. This ensures you have a copy of important messages and media files. Here are two ways to backup WhatsApp on iOS:
iCloud Backup
Enable WhatsApp chat backup in iCloud. Go to iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > WhatsApp. Tap on ‘Back Up Now’ to manually backup.
Local Backup
You can also take local backups of WhatsApp on your iPhone. Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now. This saves a backup file locally on the device storage.
Does clearing WhatsApp storage delete chats?
Yes, clearing WhatsApp storage will permanently delete chats, messages, media files and other app data. Your chat history cannot be recovered after emptying WhatsApp storage on an iPhone. This is why it is vital to take backups before clearing storage.
Is my WhatsApp safe after clearing storage?
Your WhatsApp account and personal data remains safe even after you clear app storage on your iPhone. Only the local content like chat history is deleted. Your WhatsApp ID, profile info and settings are still preserved on WhatsApp’s servers.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone?
If you forgot to backup chats before clearing WhatsApp storage, all hope is not lost. Here are some ways to try and recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone:
- Restore from an iCloud or local backup if available.
- Use iPhone data recovery software to extract chat history from device.
- Request the sender to resend important deleted messages or media.
- Use a third party WhatsApp recovery app (results may vary).
Conclusion
Here are some key points to remember about freeing up WhatsApp storage on your iPhone:
- Regularly delete old chats and media to clear app storage.
- Enable auto-delete settings for chats and media.
- Offload unused chats to remove them from device storage.
- Take backups before attempting to clear WhatsApp storage.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp as a last resort method.
Following these tips will help you free up a considerable amount of storage space used by WhatsApp on your iPhone. Just be sure to backup important chats so you don’t lose your message history and media files.