WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. However, a common issue many WhatsApp users face is running out of storage space due to the accumulation of media files like photos, videos, voice messages, etc. sent via WhatsApp chats. If you are using an Android phone, the ‘Storage usage’ section under WhatsApp’s Settings can help you identify, troubleshoot and fix WhatsApp storage issues.
Checking WhatsApp’s storage usage
To check WhatsApp’s storage usage on Android:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3 dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > Storage and data > Storage usage.
This will show you a breakdown of the storage space WhatsApp media is taking up on your phone. It separates the usage by chats, with the chats taking up the most space on top.
Tapping on a chat shows the types of media like photos, videos, documents, audio etc. within the chat and how much space they are taking up.
Troubleshooting high WhatsApp storage usage
If you notice WhatsApp taking up a lot of storage, here are some things to check:
Large media files sent/received
Oversized media files like high resolution photos/videos shared in chats can quickly consume storage space. Check if any such files have been exchanged recently in chats showing high usage.
Media saved from WhatsApp to your phone gallery
Photos, videos etc. sent via WhatsApp get saved by default to your phone’s internal storage. This duplicates the files and contributes to the storage used.
Frequently forwarded media content
WhatsApp groups or contacts that tend to exchange media frequently like good morning images or viral videos can fill up your storage faster.
Old chats and media
Chats from a long time ago, especially Group chats tend to accumulate a lot of media that keeps occupying storage space if not cleaned up periodically.
Fixes and tips to free up WhatsApp storage
Here are some ways to fix, reduce and manage WhatsApp’s storage usage on your phone:
Delete old chats
Regularly remove old or unwanted chats that you don’t need anymore. This also deletes all the media files exchanged within these chats, freeing up space.
Delete large files
If you spot any particularly large files like high resolution photos or long videos in chats, consider deleting them if you no longer need them.
Export chat history
Before deleting chats, consider exporting and backing up your chat history to store on another device. On Android, you can export a chat’s history by going to that chat > More > Export chat.
Turn off media auto-save
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Media auto-download. Turn ‘When using mobile data’ and ‘When connected on Wi-Fi’ OFF for each media type you want to stop auto-saving.
Move chats to external SD card
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Tap ‘Storage usage’ and select the external SD card for backing up your chat history and media.
Clear WhatsApp cache
Over time cache can build up and take up space. Go to device storage settings and clear the WhatsApp cache.
Uninstall unused apps
Check your device storage settings and uninstall unused apps taking up space. This can free up room for WhatsApp.
Manage media visibility
In newly received media messages, tap and hold to select options like viewing once or applying disappearing messages.
WhatsApp media auto-download settings
To manage how media files are saved from WhatsApp chats, adjust these auto-download settings:
| Media Type | When using mobile data | When connected on Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | On / Off | On / Off |
| Audio | On / Off | On / Off |
| Videos | On / Off | On / Off |
| Documents | On / Off | On / Off |
Having these set to OFF prevents files from automatically saving from WhatsApp to your phone storage. You can choose when to manually save only the media you need.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s storage usage can get out of hand due to large media files and build up over time. Make use of the dedicated ‘Storage usage’ section under WhatsApp Settings to analyze and identify chats and media consuming excess space. Taking steps like deleting old chats, disabling auto media save, moving to external storage and managing visibility are effective ways to fix, reduce and control WhatsApp storage issues on your phone. Performing regular maintenance and being mindful of storage habits can help prevent WhatsApp from eating up your valuable phone storage.
Here are some key points to take away:
- Check WhatsApp’s storage usage section to see chats and media taking up space.
- Large files, auto-saving, and old chats tend to accumulate and consume storage.
- Delete old chats and media, turn off auto-saving, move storage to SD card to free up space.
- Manage media visibility and uninstall unused apps to create space.
- Regular chat backups and clearing cache can prevent build up.
Following these best practices for managing WhatsApp storage will help ensure you don’t run into issues with running out of phone storage.