How to Stop Photos and Videos From Auto-Downloading on WhatsApp

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Disable Media Auto-Download on WhatsApp

By default, WhatsApp automatically downloads all photos, videos, and other files shared in a WhatsApp chat or group. Here’s how to disable it.

On iPhone

Step 1:Open WhatsApp and tap onSettings(gear icon) at the bottom-right corner.

Step 2:Now, navigate toStorage and Dataand selectPhotosand tap onNever.

Repeat the same procedure for audio, videos, and documents.

On Android

Step 1:Launch WhatsApp and tap on thethree vertical dotsmenu at the top-right corner.

Step 2: SelectSettingsand tap onStorage and data.

Step 3:SelectWhen using mobile dataand disable the checkmarks forPhotos,Audio,Videos, andDocuments. Then, tapOK.

Repeat the same for theWhen connected on Wi-FiandWhen roamingoptions.

While the above procedure will stop media from being downloaded in individual WhatsApp chats,WhatsApp groupswill continue to download incoming photos and videos. Here’s how to disable that.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open WhatsApp and select agroupthat spams you with unnecessary media files.

Step 2: Tap on thegroup nameat the top and selectSave to Camera Roll. Then, selectNever.

On Android

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and openany groupcontributing to spam media.

Step 2: Tap on thegroup’s nameat the top and selectMedia visibility. ChooseNoand then tap onOK.

Manage Existing WhatsApp Media

You have taken the steps to stop auto-downloading photos and videos on WhatsApp. But what about existing WhatsApp media files? Here’s how to quickly get rid of them.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open theStorage and Datamenu in WhatsApp Settings (refer to the steps above).

Step 2: Tap onManage Storage. Scroll through the list of chats and select the one with a lot of media.

Step 3: Tap onSelectat the top-right corner. Then, chooseSelect Alland hit theDeleteicon.

On Android

Step 1: Go to theStorage and datamenu in WhatsApp Settings.

Step 2: Tap on Manage storage. Scroll through the list of chats and select the one with a lot of media.

Step 3: Tap on theSelect allcheckmark at the top right corner. Select theDeleteicon and confirm your decision.

Hopefully, you should now have gotten rid of all the spam photos and videos eating up valuable storage on your phone.

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Last updated on 09 April, 2024

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