Where are files from WhatsApp saved on Android - briefly?
On an Android device, files received or sent via WhatsApp are stored in the internal storage of the phone. Specifically, they can be found within the 'WhatsApp' folder located at /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media
.
Where are files from WhatsApp saved on Android - in detail?
On Android devices, WhatsApp saves various types of files in specific directories within the internal storage. The primary location where these files are stored is within the app's private data folder, which is encrypted and not directly accessible to users without rooting the device. However, certain media files such as images, videos, GIFs, voice messages, and documents can also be accessed from external storage if the user has enabled this option in WhatsApp settings.
Here's a detailed breakdown of where different types of WhatsApp files are saved:
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Images and Videos: By default, WhatsApp saves media files (images and videos) to the device's internal storage. The path typically looks like this:
/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/.
If the user has enabled the option to save media to an SD card, the path will be similar but located on external storage:
/storage/<external-storage>/WhatsApp/Media/.
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Audio Messages: Voice messages and audio files are saved in a different directory within WhatsApp's private data folder. The exact path is:
/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/WhatsApp Business/.
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Documents: Documents such as PDFs, Word documents, and other file types are also saved in the WhatsApp Media directory. The path for these files is:
/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents/.
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Status Updates: Photos and videos uploaded as status updates are stored temporarily in a cache folder before being deleted after 24 hours or when the user chooses to delete them manually. The path for these files is:
/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/.Statuses/.
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Backup Files: WhatsApp backup files, which include databases and media attachments, are stored in a specific directory on both internal and external storage. The path for these backup files is:
/storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Databases/.
or
/storage/<external-storage>/WhatsApp/Databases/.
It's important to note that accessing these directories requires appropriate permissions, and some files may be encrypted for security reasons. Users should always respect privacy laws and regulations when handling personal data from WhatsApp or any other application.