Quick Answer
Here are some quick tips to stop WhatsApp from saying storage is full:
- Clear WhatsApp cache and data
- Delete large files and media from WhatsApp chats
- Move WhatsApp media to an SD card
- Delete old chats and messages
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
- Check for and delete duplicate files
- Free up storage space on your phone
What Causes the WhatsApp ‘Storage Full’ Error Message?
The main reason you may see the “Storage Full” or “Running Out of Storage Space” error message in WhatsApp is because your phone’s storage is nearly full. WhatsApp requires free space on your phone to store its data, such as:
- Media attachments (photos, videos, documents, audio)
- Chat history and messages
- Cached and temporary data
- App data and databases
If your phone’s storage fills up, WhatsApp won’t have space left to store new data, hence the error message. The amount of free space WhatsApp needs can vary based on your usage, but aims for at least 500MB if possible.
How to Clear WhatsApp Storage and Cache
One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot the WhatsApp “Storage Full” issue is by clearing the app’s cache and data. This deletes temporary files and resets the app back to its default.
To clear WhatsApp’s cache and data on Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications
- Select WhatsApp
- Tap Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Select WhatsApp
- Tap Offload App, then tap Reinstall
This will wipe WhatsApp’s locally stored data and media, freeing up space taken up by the app itself. Your actual chats and media files sent/received will remain intact on WhatsApp’s servers.
Delete Large Files and Media in Chats
Another common culprit for the WhatsApp “Storage Full” issue is having too many large files or media stored in your chats. This includes:
- Photos and videos
- Audio files and voice messages
- Documents and PDFs
Over time, the media you exchange on WhatsApp can eat up GBs worth of storage space. To recover space:
- Open each chat and check for media files
- Long press on files to select them
- Tap the trash can icon to delete
This will delete the media from your phone’s storage only. The files will still exist in the chat history on WhatsApp’s servers if needed later.
Transfer WhatsApp Media to an SD Card
If your phone supports external SD card storage, you can set WhatsApp to automatically save incoming and outgoing media to the SD card instead of internal storage:
On Android:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Media Auto Download
- Tap SD Card
This will set all new WhatsApp media to save to your SD card by default.
On iPhone:
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not allow changing the storage location on iOS. Your only option is to manage the media sizes and delete files when needed.
Delete Old Chats
Chats and messages can also build up over time, taking up valuable storage. To create space:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat History
- Select a retention time, like “1 month”
- Tap DELETE to erase old chats
This will automatically remove chat histories older than your selected timeframe.
How to Delete Chats Manually
You can also delete old or large chats manually:
- Open the chat you want to delete
- Tap More Options > More > Select All
- Tap the trash icon to delete the entire chat
Repeat this for each chat you want to remove to free up space.
Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp
Uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can act as a “hard reset” to clear out all stored data:
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Select WhatsApp > Uninstall
- Go to Play Store and reinstall WhatsApp
- Restore your chat history from your Google Drive backup
On iPhone:
- Hold finger on WhatsApp icon until it starts wiggling
- Tap X icon to delete the app
- Go to App Store and reinstall WhatsApp
- Restore chat history from iCloud backup
This forces WhatsApp to start fresh and only take up space for new data after reinstalling.
Check for Duplicate Files
Over time, duplicate files can build up on your phone and take up valuable space. To check for copies:
On Android:
Use the Google Files app to easily find and delete duplicate files.
On iPhone:
Use a dedicated duplicate file finder app to clean up space. Some top options:
- Remo Duplicate Photos Remover
- Duplicate File Fixer
- Duplicate Cleaner
These will scan your phone and pinpoint duplicate files hogging storage.
Free Up More Space on Your Phone
In addition to cleaning WhatsApp storage, freeing up more space on your phone overall can prevent the error. Some tips:
- Delete apps you no longer use
- Remove files from cloud storage apps
- Clear cache and data from other apps
- Transfer photos/videos to a computer
- Enable cloud backups to move data off device
- Upgrade to a phone with more storage
The more free space you have available on your phone, the less likely WhatsApp is to run into storage limits.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp “Storage Full” message is common when your phone is low on free space required by the app. Clearing the WhatsApp cache, removing media files in chats, deleting old messages, transferring files to SD card, and uninstalling the app can quickly create space. Check for duplicate files, offload data to the cloud, and free up storage space on your phone to prevent the error for good. With a combination of these tips, you can stop WhatsApp from complaining about full storage and continue using it without issues.