How to remove automatic file download in WhatsApp?

How to remove automatic file download in WhatsApp - briefly?

To disable automatic file downloads in WhatsApp, follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the "Settings" menu.
2. Navigate to "Storage and Data" > "Media Auto-Download" and select "When using mobile data" or "When connected on Wi-Fi" for each type of media (Photos, Audio, Videos, Documents) to turn off automatic downloads.

How to remove automatic file download in WhatsApp - in detail?

Automatic file downloads in WhatsApp can be quite convenient, but they can also consume a significant amount of data and storage space. If you prefer to have more control over what gets downloaded to your device, you can adjust the settings to disable automatic file downloads. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

For Android Devices:

1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
2. Access Settings: Tap on the three vertical dots located at the top right corner of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu. Select "Settings" from the list.
3. Navigate to Storage and Data: In the settings menu, look for an option labeled "Storage and data." Tap on it to proceed.
4. Adjust Automatic Download Settings: Within this section, you will see three categories: "When using mobile data," "When connected to Wi-Fi," and "When roaming." For each of these categories, you can choose from the following options:
   • Videos: None, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Download always.
   • Photos: None, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Download always.
   • Audio: None, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Download always.
   • Documents: None, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Download always.
5. Select Your Preferred Options: To disable automatic file downloads completely, select "None" for each category under all three conditions (mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming). This will ensure that no files are automatically downloaded to your device without your explicit permission.
6. Save Changes: Once you have made your selections, exit the settings menu. Your changes will be saved automatically.

For iOS Devices:

1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Access Settings: Tap on "Settings" at the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Storage and Data: In the settings menu, select "Data and Storage Usage."
4. Adjust Automatic Download Settings: Within this section, you will see three categories: "When using mobile data," "When connected to Wi-Fi," and "When roaming." For each of these categories, you can choose from the following options:
   • Videos: Never Auto Download, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Always download.
   • Photos: Never Auto Download, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Always download.
   • Audio: Never Auto Download, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Always download.
   • Documents: Never Auto Download, Only download on Wi-Fi, or Always download.
5. Select Your Preferred Options: To disable automatic file downloads completely, select "Never Auto Download" for each category under all three conditions (mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming). This will ensure that no files are automatically downloaded to your device without your explicit permission.
6. Save Changes: Once you have made your selections, exit the settings menu. Your changes will be saved automatically.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage how WhatsApp handles file downloads on both Android and iOS devices. This allows you to save data and storage space while maintaining control over what gets downloaded to your device.