WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. However, many users encounter frustrating errors like “This file does not exist in internal storage” when trying to send or receive files on WhatsApp.
What causes the “This file does not exist” error on WhatsApp?
There are a few potential reasons why WhatsApp cannot find a file you are trying to send:
- The file has been deleted or moved from its original location
- There is a permissions issue preventing WhatsApp from accessing the file location
- The file is stored on external SD card, but WhatsApp only looks in internal storage
- There is a temporary glitch or bug preventing WhatsApp from accessing the file
Let’s explore each of these causes in more detail:
The file has been deleted or moved
The most straightforward reason for the “does not exist” error is that the file you are trying to send no longer exists in the location WhatsApp expects it to be. For example, if you originally selected a photo from your Camera photos, but then deleted that photo or moved it to a different folder, WhatsApp will not be able to find it.
Always check your gallery or file manager to confirm the file still exists before trying to resend. If it’s been deleted or relocated, you will need to select the file again from its new location.
Permissions issue accessing file location
WhatsApp may fail to access a file if there are permission restrictions on that folder or storage location. For instance, if you stored the file in a folder that WhatsApp does not have read access to.
Try moving the file to a location that WhatsApp definitely has permissions for, like your Camera photos. Or grant WhatsApp read permission for the protected folder through your device settings or a file manager app.
File is stored on external SD card
WhatsApp can only directly access files stored in your phone’s internal storage. If you selected a file stored on an external SD card, WhatsApp won’t be able to find it.
To fix this, move the file to your device’s internal storage first before sending on WhatsApp. Or use a file manager to grant WhatsApp access to your device’s SD card.
Temporary glitch or bug
In some cases, WhatsApp may fail to find a file due to a minor software glitch or bug. For example, if the app has cached old file location info, or incorrectly indexes storage after an update.
Try force closing and restarting the WhatsApp app to clear out any glitches. Also check for app updates and install if available. A simple reboot of your device can also clear out temporary bugs.
How to avoid the “This file does not exist” error
To avoid running into issues sending files on WhatsApp, keep these tips in mind:
- Double check the file exists before sending, and reselect if moved or deleted
- Store files in default folders like Camera rather than protected folders
- Transfer files to internal device storage rather than SD card
- Confirm WhatsApp has permissions to access storage locations
- Restart WhatsApp and your device to clear out bugs
How to fix “This file does not exist in internal storage”
If you encounter the error, here are some steps to troubleshoot and get your files sending successfully:
- First, check if the file still exists in its original location.
- Try granting WhatsApp read access if the file is in a restricted folder.
- Move the file to default internal storage like Camera or Downloads.
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app to clear glitches.
- Reboot your Android device in case of system issues.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version if available.
- Copy the file to a different folder and reselect in WhatsApp.
- As a last resort, reinstall WhatsApp to do a clean reset.
Following these troubleshooting steps will help identify and resolve the underlying issue so you can send your files successfully.
Best practices for sharing files on WhatsApp
To avoid running into “file does not exist” errors when sharing files through WhatsApp, keep these best practices in mind:
Store files in default folders
Save files you intend to share via WhatsApp in default folders like your Camera photos, Downloads or Documents folders. WhatsApp is designed to easily access these default storage locations.
Use internal rather than external storage
When possible, keep files in your device’s internal storage rather than external SD card. WhatsApp can more reliably access internal storage.
Double check the file before sending
Preview the file before sending to make sure it opens properly. Confirm the file name and size match what you originally selected to send.
Send a copy rather than original
Instead of sending the original file from your device storage, make a copy and send the duplicate. This avoids the original being deleted or moved later.
Grant WhatsApp storage permissions
Give WhatsApp permission to access all necessary storage locations under your device Settings or file manager apps.
Update WhatsApp frequently
Install WhatsApp updates as soon as available to fix bugs that may cause file issues. Keeping WhatsApp up-to-date can prevent glitches.
Reboot your phone regularly
Perform occasional restarts of your Android device to clear out any accumulating glitches and keep things running smoothly.
Conclusion
The “This file does not exist in internal storage” message on WhatsApp is usually caused by the file being deleted, moved, on SD card, or a temporary app glitch. To resolve it, check the file exists, move it to default storage, grant WhatsApp permissions, restart the app and device, and update WhatsApp. Following best practices like storing files in default folders can prevent the issue. With proper troubleshooting, you can successfully share any file you need via WhatsApp.