How to make WhatsApp save to SD card?

How to make WhatsApp save to SD card - briefly?

To save WhatsApp data to an SD card, you need to change the default storage location in your device settings. Go to Settings > Storage > Other Apps > WhatsApp and select the SD card as the preferred storage location.

How to make WhatsApp save to SD card - in detail?

To ensure that your WhatsApp messages and media are saved to an SD card, you need to follow a series of steps that involve adjusting the settings on both your Android device and the WhatsApp application itself. This process is crucial for users who want to maximize their internal storage space while keeping their WhatsApp data intact. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

First, it's essential to understand that WhatsApp does not directly support saving data to an SD card due to security reasons and app restrictions imposed by Google. However, you can work around these limitations by following these steps:

  1. Ensure Your Device Supports Adoptable Storage:

    • If your device runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher, it likely supports adoptable storage. This feature allows your SD card to function as internal storage.
    • To check if your SD card is set up for adoptable storage, go to "Settings" > "Storage & USB". If you see an option that says "Internal shared storage" under your SD card information, it means the card is already adopted.

  2. Format Your SD Card as Internal Storage:

    • Insert your SD card into your device.
    • Go to "Settings" > "Storage & USB".
    • Tap on your SD card. You should see an option that says "Setup".
    • Select "Use as internal storage". This will format the SD card, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

  3. Move WhatsApp to SD Card:

    • Once your SD card is set up as internal storage, you can move WhatsApp and its data to the SD card.
    • Go to "Settings" > "Apps" or "Application Manager".
    • Find and tap on "WhatsApp".
    • Tap on "Storage".
    • You should see options for "Clear Data", "Clear Cache", and "Change Storage Location". Tap on "Change Storage Location".
    • Select your SD card as the storage location. This will move WhatsApp and all its data to the SD card.

  4. Backup Your WhatsApp Data:

    • Although moving WhatsApp to the SD card should retain your data, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your chats and media.
    • Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
    • Tap on "Backup" to save your messages and media to Google Drive or another cloud service.

  5. Verify the Transfer:

    • After moving WhatsApp to the SD card, verify that all your data is intact by opening the app and checking your messages and media.
    • You can also go back to "Settings" > "Storage & USB" to ensure that WhatsApp is now listed under your SD card's storage usage.

By following these steps, you can effectively save your WhatsApp data to an SD card, helping to free up valuable internal storage space on your Android device while keeping your communication history secure and accessible.