By default WhatsApp downloads many photos and files by itself, which uses your data pack and fills your phone. In Settings › Storage and data › Media auto-download you can choose exactly what downloads on mobile data, on Wi-Fi and when roaming.
Change auto-download on Android
- Open WhatsApp › ⋮ › Settings › Storage and data.
- Under Media auto-download you see three lines: When using mobile data, When connected on Wi-Fi, When roaming.
- Tap each one and tick or untick Photos, Audio, Videos, Documents. Tap OK.
A good setting for most people: mobile data = nothing or only Photos; Wi-Fi = Photos and Audio; roaming = nothing.
Change auto-download on iPhone
- Tap Settings › Storage and Data.
- Under Media Auto-Download, tap Photos, Audio, Videos and Documents one by one.
- Choose Never, Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Cellular for each.
Voice messages always download so you can play them; this setting is about other audio files.
What happens after you turn it off
Files show as a blurred preview with a download arrow and the file size. Tap it when you want to see it. Nothing is lost; it just waits for you.
Keep WhatsApp photos out of your gallery
- Android, all chats: Settings › Chats › turn off Media visibility.
- Android, one chat: open the chat › tap its name › Media visibility › No.
- iPhone, all chats: Settings › Chats › turn off Save to Photos.
- iPhone, one chat: chat name › Save to Photos › Never.
Sending quality
In Storage and data › Media upload quality (or the HD button when you send a photo) you can choose Standard quality to save data or HD quality for sharper photos. HD files are bigger for you and the receiver.
Save data on calls
On some versions the same screen has Use less data for calls, which lowers call data use. It can make sound a little less clear. If you don't see it, your version doesn't offer it.
If it doesn't work
- Files still download: check all three lines (mobile data, Wi-Fi, roaming). You may be on Wi-Fi without noticing.
- Can't download when you tap: the sender may have deleted it, or it is very old and no longer on WhatsApp's servers. Ask them to send it again.
- "Download failed": free up phone space (see free up storage) and check the date and time on your phone are correct.
Safety tip
Never open files from unknown numbers, especially .apk files (Android apps) named like "Bank KYC", "Wedding card" or "Traffic challan". Installing them can let criminals read your SMS and steal money. Delete them and block the sender.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
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