When you receive an mp4 video file on your iPhone via WhatsApp, the file gets saved automatically to your phone’s internal storage. However, the exact save location can vary depending on your version of iOS and whether you have iCloud Photos enabled.
In this article, we’ll walk through the most common locations where WhatsApp saves mp4 videos on iPhones. We’ll also provide tips on how to easily access, view, and manage your WhatsApp media files.
Where WhatsApp Saves mp4 Files
If you have iCloud Photos enabled on your iPhone, then any photos or videos sent to you on WhatsApp will be automatically backed up to iCloud. This includes mp4 files.
To check if you have iCloud Photos turned on, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos. If the toggle is green, then iCloud Photos is active and your WhatsApp media will be saved both locally on your device and synced with iCloud.
With iCloud Photos on, your WhatsApp mp4s will be intermingled with all your other photos and videos in the Photos app. They won’t be isolated in a separate WhatsApp folder.
You can still access and view any WhatsApp videos by going to the Albums tab in Photos and scrolling down to the Media Types section. There you’ll see an album named WhatsApp that contains all your chat media files.
If you have iCloud Photos disabled, then WhatsApp will save mp4 files directly to your iPhone’s local storage, specifically in the WhatsApp folder.
To find this folder, go to Files > On My iPhone > WhatsApp. You’ll see folders for each chat, containing the media traded in that chat. There may also be a Media folder with your WhatsApp files aggregated together.
So in summary, here are the main storage locations for WhatsApp mp4s based on your iCloud Photos settings:
With iCloud Photos ON:
– Photos app -> Albums -> WhatsApp
With iCloud Photos OFF:
– Files app -> On My iPhone -> WhatsApp -> [Individual chat folders or Media folder]
Where exactly WhatsApp saves videos can also vary slightly depending on your iOS version:
iOS 13 and Earlier
On iOS 13 and earlier, WhatsApp’s local mp4 files are stored in the WhatsApp/Media folder under On My iPhone. Each video is placed in a sub-folder titled based on the date it was received.
For example, you may see folders like:
– WhatsApp/Media/2019/10/5
– WhatsApp/Media/2020/4/15
iOS 14 and Later
Starting in iOS 14, Apple changed the local WhatsApp media folder structure. Now all files are saved directly under the chat folder rather than a centralized Media folder.
So on newer iOS versions, you’ll find WhatsApp mp4s like:
– WhatsApp/Chat Name/Media/Files
This change makes it a bit easier to locate media traded in a specific chat thread. But the overall WhatsApp folder location remains unchanged on iOS 14 and up.
Accessing and Managing WhatsApp mp4 Files
Now that you know where WhatsApp saves mp4 files on your iPhone, here are some tips for viewing, exporting, and managing those video files:
View mp4s in Photos App
The easiest way to watch WhatsApp mp4 videos is directly in the Photos app. Just go to the WhatsApp album, tap on a video to play it, and use the on-screen controls to pause, skip ahead, adjust volume, or enable full-screen mode.
You can also edit WhatsApp videos right in Photos—trimming, rotating, applying filters, and more. Tap “Edit” in the upper right while viewing a video to see editing options.
Save mp4s to Camera Roll
If you want to save a WhatsApp video to your main Camera Roll rather than just the WhatsApp album, tap the Share button while viewing it and select “Save Video.”
This copies the mp4 into your Camera Roll so it’s backed up both locally and to iCloud. The original remains in WhatsApp too.
Export mp4s to Files App
To export a WhatsApp mp4 out of Photos for sharing or storage, open the Files app while viewing the video. Tap Select > the video file > Share (bottom left) > Save to Files.
This copies the mp4 into the On My iPhone drive. You can then send it through email, AirDrop, etc.
Delete mp4s
Delete WhatsApp videos just like any other iPhone photo or video:
– In the Photos app, tap Select, choose videos, tap the Trash icon.
– In Files, tap Select, choose videos, tap Delete.
Deleting mp4s from Photos or Files only removes them locally from your iPhone. The files will still exist in WhatsApp chats. To delete them fully, open the chat in WhatsApp, tap and hold the video, and select Delete.
Optimize iPhone Storage
Large WhatsApp media files can quickly consume your iPhone’s available storage. To automatically free up space, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp.
Toggle on Optimize iPhone Storage so WhatsApp will store full-resolution versions in iCloud only, while keeping smaller optimized versions of videos on your device. Tap on Review Large Attachments to delete those you no longer need.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp mp4 Files
If you’re having trouble viewing, saving, or managing WhatsApp mp4 files on your iPhone, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Can’t find mp4 files
– Check which folder they are saved in based on whether you have iCloud Photos on or off.
– Make sure you are looking in the proper iOS version folder structure (Media vs. Chat Name > Media)
– Restart your iPhone to refresh the media folders.
Videos not playing
– The mp4 file may be corrupted or incompatible. Try exporting and re-importing it.
– Update to the latest WhatsApp version in case of a bug with video playback.
– Reboot your iPhone to clear any glitches.
Can’t save, export, or delete videos
– Make sure WhatsApp has permission to access your Photos and Files. Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Photos and Files to check.
– Check if your iCloud storage is full, preventing media syncing.
– Try saving/deleting mp4s when connected to Wi-Fi in case it’s a network issue.
– Force quit and relaunch Photos/Files apps.
Conclusion
WhatsApp automatically saves mp4 video files received in chats to your iPhone’s local storage. With iCloud Photos enabled, they’ll also be backed up to iCloud and accessible in the Photos app. Without iCloud, mp4s are stored directly in the WhatsApp Media folders in your on-device storage.
Locating your WhatsApp videos is just the first step. You’ll also want to regularly view, export, save, delete, and optimize these media files as needed. Following the tips in this guide, you can seamlessly manage mp4s saved from WhatsApp and keep your iPhone storage under control.
Over time, you may accumulate hundreds or even thousands of WhatsApp videos that eat up precious space. Be sure to prune your media library periodically by deleting old and unwanted mp4 files. With a few simple file management habits, you can breeze through WhatsApp media with minimal hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find mp4 files from WhatsApp in my Photos app?
If you can’t see WhatsApp mp4 files in the Photos app, it likely means you don’t have iCloud Photos enabled. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle on iCloud Photos to sync WhatsApp media.
Do WhatsApp videos count against my iCloud storage?
Yes, any WhatsApp photos or videos backed up to iCloud will take up part of your allocated iCloud storage amount. Check Usage in Settings > [your name] > iCloud to see.
Can I stop videos from auto-saving from WhatsApp to Photos?
There is no setting to prevent videos from automatically saving to Photos when received in WhatsApp. Even with iCloud Photos off, mp4s will save locally. Your only option is to regularly delete unwanted videos.
Why can’t I find some WhatsApp videos in Files or Photos?
If certain videos are missing from your local storage, it’s likely because you deleted them manually from WhatsApp only. This erases them fully rather than just removing from Photos/Files. They cannot be recovered.
How do I save WhatsApp videos to an external SD card?
Unfortunately, you cannot set WhatsApp to save media files directly to external or SD card storage on an iPhone. The only storage locations are the native WhatsApp folders in internal iPhone storage.
WhatsApp mp4 File Locations by iOS Version
iOS 16
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Chat Name > Media > Files (with iCloud Photos off)
iOS 15
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Chat Name > Media > Files (with iCloud Photos off)
iOS 14
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Chat Name > Media > Files (with iCloud Photos off)
iOS 13
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Media > [Date sub-folders] (with iCloud Photos off)
iOS 12
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Media > [Date sub-folders] (with iCloud Photos off)
iOS 11
– Photos app > Albums > WhatsApp (with iCloud Photos on)
– Files app > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Media > [Date sub-folders] (with iCloud Photos off)
Quick WhatsApp mp4 File Access Steps by iOS
iOS 16 and 15
1. Open Photos app
2. Tap Albums tab
3. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp album
4. Tap a video to play
Or
1. Open Files app
2. Tap On My iPhone
3. Tap WhatsApp folder
4. Tap chat name > Media > Files
5. Tap mp4 to play
iOS 14
1. Open Photos app
2. Tap Albums tab
3. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp album
4. Tap a video to play
Or
1. Open Files app
2. Tap On My iPhone
3. Tap WhatsApp folder
4. Tap chat name > Media > Files
5. Tap mp4 to play
iOS 13 and Earlier
1. Open Photos app
2. Tap Albums tab
3. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp album
4. Tap a video to play
Or
1. Open Files app
2. Tap On My iPhone
3. Tap WhatsApp folder
4. Tap Media folder
5. Tap date sub-folder
6. Tap mp4 to play
Sharing WhatsApp mp4 Files from iPhone
Need to share a WhatsApp video with someone who’s not in the chat? Here are some ways to export mp4 files from your iPhone:
AirDrop
1. Open the Photos app and tap the WhatsApp video you want to share.
2. Tap the Share button.
3. Select AirDrop.
4. Choose a nearby recipient and confirm.
1. Open the Files app and navigate to the WhatsApp mp4.
2. Tap Select, choose the video, then tap Share.
3. Choose Mail.
4. Compose your email and add the mp4 file.
5. Tap Send.
Third-Party Cloud Storage
1. Open the Files app and go to the WhatsApp video.
2. Tap Select, choose the mp4, tap Share.
3. Tap Save to [service like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.].
4. Choose where to save the file in the cloud storage service.
Save to PC/Mac
1. Connect iPhone to computer via USB cable.
2. Open WhatsApp mp4 in Photos or Files app.
3. Tap Share/Export and choose Save to Files.
4. Open Files app on computer, find mp4 and copy it over.
WhatsApp Media Auto-Download Settings
To manage how WhatsApp media is saved on your iPhone, adjust these auto-download settings:
When Using Mobile Data
Go to WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data > Media Auto-Download. Choose when to auto-download media over mobile data like 5G or 4G. Options:
– All: Download all media automatically.
– Photos: Download photos only.
– Video: Download videos only.
– None: Don’t auto-download media.
When Connected to Wi-Fi
In WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data > Media Auto-Download on Wi-Fi. Choose what to download on Wi-Fi:
– Photos, Audio, Video: Download all media.
– Photos & Video: Omit audio.
– Photos: Download photos only.
– None: Turn off auto-download.
Where to Change Auto-Download Settings
– WhatsApp > Settings > Storage and Data > Media Auto-Download
– Or in individual chats, tap name/info > Media Auto-Download
This gives you granular control over auto-saving media from WhatsApp to save space. Turn off auto-downloads, then manually save only what you need.
Reducing WhatsApp Storage Usage on iPhone
Here are some more tips to minimize WhatsApp’s impact on your iPhone storage:
– Frequently delete old media and chats you no longer need. This directly frees up space.
– Enable lower quality photo uploads in Settings > Storage and Data.
– Turn off auto-downloads and manually save media only when needed.
– Enable Optimize iPhone Storage in iCloud settings.
– Offload unused apps that take up space like games.
– Upgrade iCloud storage plan if needed for backing up media.
– Toggle Offline Mode in chats to avoid pre-loading media.
– Check for and delete duplicate/identical media files.
– Save, export, or back up media to free up space, retaining only on iCloud.
– Clear browser history and caches which may include media files.
Paying attention to your WhatsApp habits and fine-tuning settings can go a long way in optimizing storage use and preventing overflow.
Conclusion
I hope this comprehensive guide covered everything you need to know about managing mp4 files from WhatsApp on your iPhone! The key takeaways are:
– WhatsApp saves mp4 videos to your local iPhone storage by default, or to iCloud Photos if you have that enabled.
– With iCloud on, view videos in the Photos app’s WhatsApp album. Without iCloud, find them in the WhatsApp folders in Files.
– Save mp4s to your Camera Roll or export them to Files for sharing outside WhatsApp.
– Delete old videos to clear up used space. Optimize iPhone Storage and adjust auto-download settings too.
– Troubleshoot issues opening, finding, or deleting WhatsApp mp4s.
– Learn the specific file locations and access steps for your iOS version.
Saving and managing WhatsApp media properly is crucial to maintaining plentiful storage and smooth iPhone performance. Follow the guidance in this article and you’ll master your WhatsApp video collection in no time!