WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging platform worldwide. However, it can take up a lot of storage on your phone as photos, videos, documents and other media files pile up in chats. If your phone is running low on space, you can check which files are taking up the most storage and delete the ones you no longer need. WhatsApp has a built-in Manage Storage feature that lets you review files by size, find media shared in specific chats and delete multiple items at once. You can also remove selected media from individual chats without deleting everything. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check WhatsApp storage, find large files and delete unwanted media to free up space on your phone.
How to view WhatsApp storage
- Go to the Chat
- Click on More (three vertical dots)
- Tap Settings
- Tap Storage & data
- Here, tap Manage storage
At the top of your device’s screen, you’ll see how much space WhatsApp has taken up on your device. You can also manage storage directly from any chat.
- Tap a chat
- Tap the name of the chat
- Tap Manage Storage
This will show you how much space is left on the chat’s media files, and all files will be displayed in order from largest to smallest.
How to delete items and free up storage on WhatsApp
You can free up storage by deleting items that are taking up space or have been forwarded too many times. You can also delete items within a chat. To review an item:
- Click on More (three vertical dots)and then tap Settings
- Tap Storage & data and go to Manage storage
Note: At the top of your device’s screen, you’ll see how much space WhatsApp is taking up on your device.Delete items like thisIf you delete an item, it will be removed from your WhatsApp media file. Deleted items may still be saved on your device. If you have multiple copies of an item, you’ll need to delete all copies to free up space.
- Tap on More (three vertical dots) and go to Settings
- Tap on Storage & data and head to Manage storage
- Select a chat or channel
- Tap individual items to delete multiple items at once, or tap Select All to delete all items.
- Tap Delete
Note: Deleting an item this way will permanently delete it. You won’t be able to redownload it from the chat it was in. Deleting an item will only delete it for you. Other people in the chat will still be able to see it. If you delete an item, it will be removed from your WhatsApp media file. Deleted items may still be saved on your device. If you have multiple copies of an item, you’ll need to delete all copies to free up space.
How to delete an item by searching for it
- You can also delete items using the search feature.
- Tap the search field at the top of your chat list
- Tap a photo, video, or document
- Tap the item you want to delete
- Tap Delete