How to clear phone storage used by WhatsApp - briefly?
To free up storage space on your phone used by WhatsApp, you can delete unwanted media files and clear the app's cache. This process is straightforward and can significantly reduce the amount of storage consumed by WhatsApp.
How to clear phone storage used by WhatsApp - in detail?
Clearing the storage space on your phone that is used by WhatsApp can be a straightforward process if you follow these detailed steps:
Backup Your Data
Before you start, it's crucial to back up your WhatsApp data. This ensures that none of your important messages or media files are lost during the cleanup process.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your phone.
- Go to Settings: Navigate to the Settings tab, which is usually represented by three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select Chats: In the Settings menu, tap on "Chats".
- Backup: You will see an option to back up your chats. Tap on it and follow the prompts to save your data to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device.
Clear WhatsApp Cache
Clearing the cache can free up a significant amount of space without deleting any important data.
- Go to Settings: Open the main Settings app on your phone.
- Find Apps: Look for the "Apps" or "Application Manager" section, depending on your device.
- Select WhatsApp: Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp from the list of installed applications.
- Storage: Tap on "Storage" to see how much space WhatsApp is using.
- Clear Cache: You will see an option to clear the cache. Tap on it, and confirm your action if prompted.
Delete Unnecessary Media Files
WhatsApp stores all media files (photos, videos, documents) you receive or send in your phone's storage. Deleting unnecessary files can help free up space.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application.
- Go to Storage Usage: Navigate to Settings > Data and Storage Usage > Storage Usage.
- Review Media Files: Here, you will see a list of all the media files categorized by type (photos, videos, GIFs, etc.). Review these files to identify which ones can be deleted.
- Select Files to Delete: Tap on each category to select and delete unnecessary files. Confirm your actions if prompted.
Delete Old Conversations
Deleting old conversations that you no longer need can also help free up space.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application.
- Go to Chats List: Navigate to the main chats list where all your contacts and groups are listed.
- Select Conversations: Long-press on a conversation you want to delete, and select other conversations as needed.
- Delete: Tap on the trash can icon at the top of the screen to delete the selected conversations. Confirm your action if prompted.
Use Storage Cleaner Tools
If manual cleaning seems too tedious, you can use third-party storage cleaner tools or built-in phone management apps to automate the process.
- Download a Storage Cleaner App: Search for and download a reputable storage cleaner app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Scan for WhatsApp Data: Open the app and scan your phone's storage.
- Select WhatsApp: The app will list all applications using significant storage space. Select WhatsApp.
- Clean Up: Follow the prompts to clean up unnecessary data, such as cache files and temporary data.
By following these steps, you can effectively clear the phone storage used by WhatsApp without losing important data. Regular maintenance will help keep your phone's storage optimized and ensure that WhatsApp runs smoothly.