Where are voice messages from WhatsApp stored on my phone - briefly?
Voice messages from WhatsApp are stored in the app's internal storage on your device. They can be found within the Media folder under a subdirectory specific to WhatsApp.
Where are voice messages from WhatsApp stored on my phone - in detail?
Voice messages sent and received via WhatsApp are not stored directly in the standard multimedia folder of your phone's internal storage or SD card, as one might expect with traditional audio files. Instead, these voice messages are encrypted and integrated into the database system used by WhatsApp to manage all its data.
WhatsApp employs a sophisticated database structure to store various types of content, including text messages, images, videos, and voice notes. This database is typically located in a directory specific to the application, which can be found within your phone's internal storage or SD card. On Android devices, this directory is usually named "WhatsApp" and can be accessed through file management applications that allow you to view hidden files and folders.
The exact path to this database depends on your device model and the version of WhatsApp you are using. For example, on many Android devices, the database is located at:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt12
This file contains all your chat history, including voice messages. However, it is important to note that this file is encrypted for security reasons, and accessing the raw data within requires specific tools and knowledge of database structures.
On iOS devices, WhatsApp's internal storage is more restricted due to Apple's sandboxing policies. The database can still be found, but it is not as easily accessible as on Android. It is typically stored in the app container directory, which can be accessed through iTunes or Finder backups of your device.
In summary, while voice messages from WhatsApp are indeed stored on your phone, they are not kept as standalone audio files in a typical multimedia folder. Instead, they are encrypted and integrated into the application's database system for secure storage and management.