How to move WhatsApp media files to an SD card?

How to move WhatsApp media files to an SD card - briefly?

To move WhatsApp media files to an SD card on Android, first open the WhatsApp app and navigate to the Settings menu. Next, tap on "Storage and Data" and then select "Move Media to SD Card." This will transfer all your WhatsApp photos, videos, and documents to your SD card.

How to move WhatsApp media files to an SD card - in detail?

Moving WhatsApp media files to an SD card can be a straightforward process, but it requires some initial setup and understanding of your device's capabilities. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Step-by-Step Guide to Move WhatsApp Media Files to an SD Card

1. Check Compatibility

First, ensure that your Android device supports the adoption of an SD card as internal storage. This feature is available on devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above. If your device does not support this feature, you will need to use a file manager app to manually move files.

2. Adopt SD Card as Internal Storage

If your device supports it, follow these steps to adopt the SD card:

1. Insert the SD card into your device.
2. Go to "Settings" > "Storage & USB".
3. Tap on your SD card under the "Portable storage" section.
4. Select "Migrate data" and follow the prompts to set up the SD card as internal storage. This process may take some time, depending on the amount of data.

3. Move WhatsApp Media Files Manually (if Adoption is Not Supported)

If your device does not support adopting the SD card, you can manually move WhatsApp media files:

1. Open a file manager app that supports moving files between internal storage and an SD card. Examples include ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Navigate to the WhatsApp folder located in your device's internal storage: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media.
3. Select the media type you want to move (e.g., Images, Videos).
4. Long-press on the files or folders and select "Move" or "Cut".
5. Navigate to your SD card's directory (usually /storage/<SD Card>/WhatsApp/Media).
6. Paste the files into the appropriate media folder (e.g., Images, Videos).

4. Change WhatsApp Storage Location

WhatsApp does not natively support changing its storage location to an SD card. However, you can use a third-party app like "SD Maid" or "Link2SD" to link the WhatsApp folder to your SD card:

1. Install and open the chosen app.
2. Follow the app's instructions to link the WhatsApp folder to the SD card. This process usually involves creating a symbolic link from the internal storage to the SD card.
3. After linking, all new media files will be saved directly to the SD card. Note that this method requires root access on your device.

5. Verify the Transfer

To ensure that the transfer was successful:

1. Open WhatsApp and navigate to a chat containing media files.
2. Check if the media files are loading correctly from the new location (SD card).
3. If you encounter any issues, try restarting your device or clearing the WhatsApp cache.

Additional Tips

• Regularly backup your WhatsApp data to avoid losing important messages and media files.
• Be cautious when manually moving files, as deleting critical system files can cause your device to malfunction.
• Always keep your SD card in a safe place to prevent data loss due to physical damage or misplacement.

By following these steps, you can effectively move WhatsApp media files to an SD card and free up valuable internal storage space on your Android device.