WhatsApp usually takes up a lot of space on your mobile phone. EUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
The application of WhatsApp It is known for taking up a lot of space in devices due to the accumulation of multimedia files that are shared daily, such as photos, videos, audios and documents. Over time, these files can clutter your phone’s memory, and they are often difficult to locate.
To help users manage this problem, WhatsApp includes tools that allow you to identify and delete unnecessary files, acting as a kind of trash can.
These features not only help free up space, but also allow you to recover deleted files if they are still temporarily stored in the application or in backups.
Below are some shortcuts to reach the different WhatsApp trash cans.
In the WhatsApp storage menu you can see which chats take up the most space. (WhatsApp)
The process to manage WhatsApp storage is as follows:
- Open the mobile application.
- Go to Storage and data.
- Open a chat and start deleting files.
In this location are the multimedia files that consume the most space per chat.
The process to search for a message or multimedia file from a WhatsApp channel is as follows:
- Go to Storage and data.
- Go to the Channels option.
- Open a channel.
- Search for the message or multimedia file of interest.
In the settings of each phone you can delete the WhatsApp cache. (Android)
On the other hand, the procedure to delete the WhatsApp application cache is explained below:
- Open the Settings application on your mobile phone.
- Look for the Application Information option and enter the WhatsApp section.
- Select Storage and cache.
- Select Clear cache.
WhatsApp cache is a temporary storage space that the application uses to save frequently accessed data and files.
This cache allows the application to run faster and more efficiently by preventing it from having to download or process the same information repeatedly. For example, when opening images or loading messages, WhatsApp uses the cache to make these processes faster and smoother.
Over time, the cache can accumulate a considerable amount of data, which can take up space on the device and, in some cases, affect its performance. For this reason it can be considered as another trash can on the Meta platform.
Backups are a strategy for managing phone space. (WhatsApp)
Making a backup is an option to save space on WhatsApp, the process to do it manually is as follows:
- Tap the more options icon and go to Settings.
- Select Chats and then Backup.
- Go to Save.
WhatsApp takes up a lot of space on a mobile phone due to the accumulation of multimedia files and conversation data. Messages, images, videos, audios and documents that are sent and received daily are stored in the device memory, especially if the automatic download option is activated.
WhatsApp usually takes up space due to the constant sending of files. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Additionally, chat backups, which include messages and media files, can take up considerable space, especially if they are saved locally on your phone. Another factor is the duplication of files when they are forwarded and stored in different chats, which increases storage usage.
The app cache also contributes to space by storing temporary data to improve app performance, but it fills up quickly with constant use.
Likewise, WhatsApp’s internal databases, where messages and user data are stored, may increase in size over time, especially in group chats with high activity and large files. Cleaning these elements regularly is key to freeing up space and maintaining good device performance.
