The best secret to prevent WhatsApp from using up your cell phone memory

The app may slow down the device in some situations. (Photo: EFE/EPA/Archive/IAN LANGSDON)

WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging apps worldwide that allows you to send and receive text messages, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, stickers, video messages and documents. However, this intensive use of Meta application brings a persistent problem: the concentration of internal storage of mobile devices.

This inconvenience is a common complaint among users, especially those who actively participate in multiple WhatsApp groups, where the sharing of multimedia files is constant and, in many cases, uncontrollable.

Over time, the accumulation of these files quickly fills the phone's memory, which not only slows down the device, but also It can make it difficult to download and update other apps, as well as capture new photos or videos.

Fortunately, WhatsApp offers a built-in solution to this problem, allowing users to efficiently manage their storage without the need to resort to third-party apps.

The app does not require a third party to upgrade the cell phone memory. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The app does not require a third party to upgrade the cell phone memory. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The function in question is called “Auto Download”, and its configuration is relatively simple, but effective. To access it, users need to follow the following steps:

  • To access the options menu, open the WhatsApp app and tap on the three vertical dots located at the top right corner of the screen.
  • Scroll down until you find the “Settings” option and select it.
  • In this menu, find and tap on “Storage and data” and finally select “Automatic media download”.

In this section, users can configure when and how media files should be automatically downloaded. In the same way, The app lets you customize these settings for mobile data usage and Wi-Fi connections.

Files will stop downloading even if the device is connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi. (illustrative image information)
Files will stop downloading even if the device is connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi. (illustrative image information)

By turning off automatic downloads of photos, videos, audio, and documents, you can manually control which files you want to download and ignore. This move allows for much tighter control over what content gets placed in the phone's memory.

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For users experiencing saturation of their device's memory, disabling all automatic download options is recommended. In this way, Only the files you really want to keep will be downloaded, significantly reducing the impact on your phone's storage.

This option is practical in situations where you send a lot of information in a group. (Photo: Europa Press)
This option is practical in situations where you send a lot of information in a group. (Photo: Europa Press)

This practice is most effective in contexts such as family or work groups. The number of shared messages and files is high.

Likewise, when you don't interact much with a group, it's recommended to leave or mute your notifications to avoid unwanted interruptions.

WhatsApp can increase internet data usage. (Photo: Freepik)
WhatsApp can increase internet data usage. (Photo: Freepik)

WhatsApp also offers a storage management tool that allows you to effectively review and delete unwanted content. To access this tool, users need to perform the following steps:

  • Enter “Settings” and select “Storage and data”.
  • Touch “Manage Storage”, which allows you to see how much space WhatsApp is taking up on the device and gives you the opportunity to review large files, as well as files that are sent frequently.
  • In this view, you can bulk delete files that are no longer needed and free up space on the device.

However, beyond these systems, It is important for users to adopt conscious usage habits regarding the storage of their devices. One of the main causes of memory overload is the tendency to accumulate multimedia files without periodically reviewing them or deleting unnecessary ones.

It is advisable to periodically clean the content stored in WhatsApp, delete photos, videos and other files of value or inappropriate.

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Misty Tate

"Freelance twitter advocate. Hardcore food nerd. Avid writer. Infuriatingly humble problem solver."

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