WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and make voice and video calls for free. WhatsApp is available for smartphones as well as PCs.
The WhatsApp desktop application allows users to access WhatsApp on their computers. It provides the same features as the mobile app, giving users the convenience of seamlessly messaging directly from their PC. A common question many users have is – how much storage space does the WhatsApp desktop app take up on your computer? Let’s take a closer look at the file size and storage requirements for WhatsApp on PC.
WhatsApp Desktop App Versions
There are two main versions of the WhatsApp desktop application available:
WhatsApp Desktop
This is the standalone desktop app that can be downloaded and installed on a Windows PC or Mac computer. It allows you to use WhatsApp without needing your phone to be connected to the computer.
WhatsApp Web
This is the web browser-based version that requires your phone to be connected to the internet in order to access your chats and messages on your computer. WhatsApp Web does not require any download or installation.
The file size and storage requirements differ slightly between the desktop and web versions.
File Size for WhatsApp Desktop App
The WhatsApp desktop app is available as an executable file that needs to be downloaded and installed on your Windows or Mac computer.
Here are the file sizes for the latest version of the WhatsApp desktop app as of October 2022:
WhatsApp for Windows (exe file):
– 64-bit version: 75.4 MB
– 32-bit version: 68.1 MB
WhatsApp for Mac (dmg file):
– 79.5 MB
So the WhatsApp desktop app download ranges from 68 MB to 79 MB, depending on your operating system and architecture. The actual installed size may be slightly larger due to additional folders, program data files, caches, etc.
Installed Size on Disk
Once downloaded and installed, how much disk space does WhatsApp desktop app take up?
On Windows 10, the installed size is around:
– 150 MB for 64-bit version
– 140 MB for 32-bit version
On macOS, the installed size is approximately:
– 160 MB
This includes the various program files, configuration files, databases, caches and other data required for the app to function. The actual size may vary slightly based on updates, version, usage and data stored.
Storage Usage
In addition to the installed app size, the WhatsApp desktop application will take up storage space for:
– Media files – photos, videos, voice messages, documents etc. shared and stored in chats. This can range from a few MBs to hundreds of MBs.
– Databases and back-ups – message databases, registration info, backups and logs also occupy storage space.
– Caches – cached media, app data and temporary files also take up some disk space.
– Updates – new versions and updates will require additional storage space.
The amount of storage used for these depends completely on individual usage and the volume of WhatsApp activity over time. For most moderate users, WhatsApp desktop generally takes up 200 MB to 500 MB of disk space including the app and associated data. Heavy users who exchange lots of media files may see the app utilize 1 GB or more of storage.
Storage Requirements
Based on the above details, here are the general storage requirements for WhatsApp desktop:
Minimum Requirements
– 150 MB of free disk space for app installation
– Recommended free space of at least 500 MB for messaging, media and data storage
Recommended
– 500 MB to 1 GB free disk space for moderately high usage
Factors Affecting WhatsApp Disk Usage
Some key factors that determine How much disk space WhatsApp desktop hogs on your PC:
– Number of chats/groups
– Volume of messages
– Amount of media content exchanged
– Length of usage over time
– Backups enabled
– Debug/log information
– Cached data
– Frequency of updates
Generally, higher number of chats containing large amounts of messages, photos, videos and files will result in greater storage space utilized. Backing up chats and media to Google Drive or local storage also increases usage.
Tips to Save Space
Here are some tips to reduce the storage footprint of WhatsApp desktop on your computer:
Limit Media Downloads
Set media auto-download settings to Wi-Fi only or disable auto-download to avoid excessive storage of photos, videos, documents etc. Download them manually only when needed.
Clear Cached Data
Regularly clear cached files, logs and temporary app data which build up over time and take up space.
Compress Images/Media
Use third party tools to compress images and media before sending them on WhatsApp to reduce size.
Delete Old Chats
Clean up old unwanted chats and groups which you don’t use anymore and take up space with old media.
Limit Backups
Limit the number of Google Drive backups or frequency of local backups to only what you need.
Uninstall When Not In Use
If you only use WhatsApp occasionally on desktop, uninstall it after use to free up disk space.
Comparison of WhatsApp Versions
| Version | File Size | Installed App Size | Storage for Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp for Android | 20 – 60 MB APK | Varies, 60 – 100+ MB | Depends on usage |
| WhatsApp for iOS | 100 – 200 MB | 60 – 150 MB | Depends on usage |
| WhatsApp Web | NA | Negligible | Stores data on phone |
| WhatsApp Desktop | 68 – 79 MB | 140 – 160 MB | 100 MB to 1 GB+ |
Key Points
- WhatsApp desktop app filesize is 68-79 MB depending on platform
- Installed size is approximately 140-160 MB
- Data usage depends on amount of messaging and media exchange
- Requires minimum 150 MB free space, recommend 500 MB or more
- Control auto-downloads, clear cache, delete chats to save space
Conclusion
The WhatsApp desktop application ranges from 68 MB to 79 MB in download size. When installed, it takes up around 140-160 MB of disk space for the app files and components.
In addition to this, the storage usage for WhatsApp media content, databases, backups and other data can vary from 100 MB to over 1 GB based on individual usage patterns.
Keeping media downloads in check, clearing caches and deleting old chats can help reduce WhatsApp’s storage footprint. Overall, it’s recommended to have at least 500 MB free disk space for a smoothly functioning WhatsApp desktop app.