How do I delete only media in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete only media from a specific chat or group on WhatsApp:
- Open the chat you want to clean up.
- Tap and hold on any media file (photo, video, etc.), then select all media files in that chat, and finally tap "Delete" at the top of your screen.
How do I delete only media in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting only media files from WhatsApp can be a useful way to free up storage space without losing important text messages or contacts. Here's a detailed guide on how you can accomplish this task:
On Android Devices:
- Open File Manager: First, download and install a reliable file manager app if you don’t already have one. Popular choices include ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
- Navigate to WhatsApp Folder: Open the file manager and navigate to the internal storage of your device. Look for the 'WhatsApp' folder, typically located in the 'Android' > 'media' directory.
- Access Media Files: Within the 'WhatsApp' folder, you will find subfolders named 'WhatsApp Images', 'WhatsApp Video', and 'WhatsApp Animated Gifs'. These folders contain all the media files exchanged through WhatsApp.
- Select and Delete: Open each of these subfolders and select the media files you wish to delete. You can choose multiple files at once by long-pressing on them. Then, tap the 'Delete' option to remove the selected files.
- Clear Cache (Optional): After deleting the media files, you might want to clear the WhatsApp cache to ensure that no residual data is taking up space. Go to your device settings, find 'Apps', select 'WhatsApp', and then tap on 'Storage' followed by 'Clear Cache'.
On iOS Devices:
- Open File App: Apple’s built-in Files app allows you to manage files stored on your iPhone or iPad. Open the Files app from your home screen.
- Navigate to WhatsApp Folder: Tap on 'On My iPhone' (or 'On My iPad') and then navigate through 'WhatsApp' > 'Media'. You will see folders for 'WhatsApp Images', 'WhatsApp Video', and 'WhatsApp Animated Gifs'.
- Access Media Files: Open each of these subfolders to view the media files.
- Select and Delete: Long-press on a file to select it, then tap other files to add them to your selection. Once you have selected all the files you wish to delete, tap on 'Delete' at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the selected files. Note that deleting media files directly from the Files app may not update the WhatsApp interface immediately, but the space will be freed up.
Important Considerations:
- Backup: Before deleting any files, it’s a good idea to backup your important media to a cloud service or external storage device.
- Storage Management: Regularly managing your storage by deleting unwanted media can help maintain the performance and efficiency of your device.
- WhatsApp Settings: WhatsApp itself does not provide a built-in option to delete only media files. However, you can use the 'Storage Usage' feature within WhatsApp to get an overview of how much space is being used by different types of files. Go to 'Settings' > 'Storage and Data' > 'Manage Storage'.
By following these steps, you can effectively delete only media files from your WhatsApp, helping you to maintain a tidy and efficient storage system on your device.