How to change WhatsApp storage location from Android folder?

What is the issue with WhatsApp storage location?

WhatsApp by default stores all of its data including chat backups, media files, and documents in the internal storage of your Android phone, under the WhatsApp folder. This can quickly fill up your phone’s storage space especially if you share a lot of media files like photos and videos.

Once your phone storage is full, you may start getting low storage warnings from WhatsApp and your phone. WhatsApp may stop working properly if there is insufficient space. This is why it is useful to know how to change the default WhatsApp storage location on Android phones.

Why change WhatsApp storage location?

Here are some key reasons why you may want to move WhatsApp storage out of the default location:

• Free up space on internal storage: Shifting WhatsApp to external SD card can free up a lot of space on your phone’s internal storage.
• Get more storage space: SD cards provide additional storage space for your backups and media.
• Enhanced privacy: Sensitive data like chat backups can be kept isolated on external storage.
• Backup flexibility: Your chat history backup remains even if you switch phones.
• Better backup control: You can manually backup chats to external storage.

So if you are low on internal phone storage due to WhatsApp, want more flexibility with backups or want to isolate your WhatsApp data, moving the storage location can be very useful.

Where can you move WhatsApp storage on Android?

On Android phones, WhatsApp data can be moved from the default internal storage location to either of the following places:

• External SD card: This allows moving your WhatsApp folder to an external microSD card inserted in your phone.
• Internal phone storage partition: You can create a separate internal storage partition and shift WhatsApp there.

SD card gives you removable external storage while a partition gives you isolation within internal storage. We will see how to move WhatsApp data to both these type of locations.

Requirements for changing WhatsApp storage on Android

Before changing WhatsApp’s storage location, ensure your phone meets these requirements:

• Android 5.0+: The feature was introduced in Android Lollipop.
• Root access: Root permission is needed on your Android phone.
• Partition tool (for internal partition): Apps like Link2SD can create partitions.
• SD card (for external storage): If moving to SD card, one must be installed.

So you need at minimum Android Lollipop, root access and some way to create partitions either using an app or SD card. Older Android versions do not have this feature natively.

Risks of changing WhatsApp storage location

While changing WhatsApp storage location has benefits, there are some risks to be aware of:

• Data loss if external SD card is removed and WhatsApp can’t find the files.
• Backups may not work properly if the new storage path is changed again.
• Link2SD app problems can make WhatsApp stop working.
• Partition creation may fail and cause phone crashes or boot loops.

So while moving WhatsApp data is safe if done properly, any issues with the new storage or apps used can disrupt WhatsApp functioning. Care should be taken to avoid data loss or app problems.

Steps to move WhatsApp to SD card

Follow these steps to shift the WhatsApp folder from your Android phone’s internal storage to an external SD card:

1. Check SD card is installed and has enough free space for WhatsApp.
2. Enable developer options on phone if not already enabled.
3. Go to developer options and enable ‘Force allow apps on external’.
4. Open Link2SD app and give root access when prompted.
5. Select ‘Link to SD Card’ option and select WhatsApp.
6. Reboot phone when prompted by Link2SD.
7. Once rebooted, WhatsApp data will be moved to SD card.

The key steps are using Link2SD to link WhatsApp to the external SD card after enabling the developer option to force apps to external storage.

How to check if WhatsApp storage moved to SD card

To confirm WhatsApp data is on the SD card:

• Go to phone Settings > Storage
• Check SD card details, WhatsApp folder should show here
• Open File Manager and browse to SD card
• The WhatsApp folder will be in the root directory if move succeeded.

If WhatsApp folder shows in SD card storage, the change of storage location was successful.

Steps to move WhatsApp to internal partition

To shift WhatsApp from default storage to an internal partition:

1. Use Link2SD to create a new partition by following prompts.
2. Select partition size between 128MB to 2GB when asked.
3. Select ‘Mount’ on the newly created partition.
4. Go back and select ‘Link to Partition’ option.
5. Choose WhatsApp and select the partition you created.
6. Allow Link2SD to move data and reboot phone when prompted.

Creating a dedicated partition and using Link2SD to move WhatsApp data to it will relocate the app’s storage internally.

Checking WhatsApp storage move to internal partition

To check WhatsApp storage move to the internal partition:

• Open Link2SD and go to ‘Partitions’
• The partition details will show WhatsApp linked to it if move worked.
• Check phone Settings > Storage, new partition size should match.
• Go to File Manager and open the partition, WhatsApp folder should be present here.

This confirms that your WhatsApp data now resides in the new internal partition instead of the default storage location.

Moving WhatsApp backup files to new location

After moving the app storage, your WhatsApp backups will still be in the old location. To move backups:

1. Open File Manager and go to old WhatsApp backup folder.
2. The folder is usually WhatsApp/Databases in phone internal storage.
3. Copy the msgstore.db.crypt12 file from old location.
4. Go to new WhatsApp data folder on SD card or partition.
5. Paste the crypt12 file here to move backup.
6. Delete old backup copy if no longer needed.

This will manually move your WhatsApp backups to the new storage location.

Limitations of changing WhatsApp storage location

While useful, changing WhatsApp’s storage location has some limitations to be aware of:

• Cannot move to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox (only local storage allowed).
• New media files still save to default location until WhatsApp reinstalled.
• App problems may still persist if phone has very limited internal storage.
• Reverting storage requires repeating entire process again.
• Not natively supported, needs root and third-party apps.

So the process is a bit complicated and you still need some free internal space. But it does solve the issue of freeing up phone storage being used by WhatsApp.

Risks and disadvantages

Some key risks and disadvantages of moving WhatsApp storage location are:

• Link2SD app no longer maintained so may stop working.
• SD cards prone to corruption so WhatsApp data at risk.
• Chat history backups may not restore properly.
• Complicated process with risk of errors bricking the phone.
• No easy way to revert changes back to default.
• Third-party apps like Link2SD have security and privacy risks.

So while the process works, it depends heavily on Link2SD with no fallback if issues arise. Corrupted SD card also risks losing WhatsApp data.

What happens if SD card is removed after changing WhatsApp storage location?

If you move WhatsApp data to external SD card and then remove the SD card, the following will happen:

• WhatsApp will stop working and fail to open.
• You will get an error that WhatsApp storage not found.
• No access to any chats, media, backups till SD card reinserted.
• If SD card corrupted, encrypted or reformatted, data may be lost.
• Reinserting same SD card will restore WhatsApp access.

So WhatsApp becomes dependent on the external SD card after changing storage location. Removing card breaks app access until it is inserted again.

How to fix WhatsApp if SD card removed

If you get errors after removing SD card with WhatsApp data, fix it by:

1. Reinsert the same SD card used to move WhatsApp.
2. Open Link2SD, select Relink WhatsApp option.
3. Link2SD will restore WhatsApp with data on SD card.
4. Alternately, reformat SD card after taking backup.
5. Clear WhatsApp data and cache from App Settings.
6. Reinstall WhatsApp to restore default storage.

Relinking via Link2SD or reinstalling WhatsApp after removing SD card are the options to restore access.

Conclusion

To summarize, moving WhatsApp storage out of internal phone storage is possible on rooted Android phones running Lollipop or later versions. Link2SD can be used to move data either to external SD card or an internal partition. But the process has risks of data loss, app issues or phone instability.While providing more storage options, it depends heavily on third-party tools with no official support. So switch WhatsApp storage location carefully after backing up data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change WhatsApp storage location on iPhone or iPad?

No, on iOS devices like iPhone and iPad, there is no direct way to change WhatsApp’s storage location. WhatsApp storage is managed automatically by the OS.

How much free space do I need on phone internal storage for changing WhatsApp location?

You should have at least 100-200 MB of free internal storage space before beginning the change of WhatsApp storage location process.

Is it safe to move WhatsApp folder to SD card?

It is generally safe if done properly using Link2SD app. But external SD card carries risk of unexpected removal or corruption. Internal partitions are safer.

Can I transfer WhatsApp from old phone to new phone via SD card?

Yes, you can move WhatsApp via SD card by backing up chats on old phone, moving SD card to new phone and restoring backup.

How do I revert WhatsApp storage back to default location?

You will need to unlink WhatsApp from current location in Link2SD, clear data, uninstall, reinstall WhatsApp and restore backup to revert default storage.

Summary

• Shifting WhatsApp storage from internal phone storage helps free up space.
• On Android, WhatsApp data can be moved to external SD card or internal partition.
• Requires Android 5.0+, root access, Link2SD app and developer options enabled.
• Link2SD allows linking WhatsApp to new storage location after partitions set up.
• Process carries risks of app issues, data loss if not done properly.
• Benefits include more storage flexibility but with limited fallback options.

Changing WhatsApp storage location is possible for rooted Android users wanting more control over app storage. But it should be done carefully to avoid disruptions.