How to Stop WhatsApp from Saving Photos on Your Smartphone

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Written by Jack Lin

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How To Stop Whatsapp From Saving Photos

How to stop WhatsApp from saving photos? If you are struggling with the same issue, then this article is right for you.

Many WhatsApp users encounter this problem, where media files save to the device automatically. Due to this, they have to deal with other issues.

WhatsApp automatically downloads all the shared media files due to its default settings. However, this takes up a lot of storage space on a mobile device.

If you like to declutter your smartphone, it is best you should learn how to stop WhatsApp from saving photos. This becomes important when you have limited space on your smartphone.

Find different ways to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on Android and iOS devices.

Part 1: How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos on iOS Devices

So, it is very simple to stop WhatsApp from saving photos. WhatsApp offers a hassle-free and smart solution for disabling the auto-download feature.

When you disable this feature, videos and photos do not automatically download on your iPhone. Most of the time, Camera Roll gets cluttered with the automatic download feature. It even takes up a lot of storage space on your device.

In addition, the saved photos of WhatsApp in Camera Roll can also consume storage on the iCloud Photo Library. To fix the problem, it is best to learn how to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on iOS devices.

Steps on How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos:

Go through the following steps to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on your iPhone:

Step 1: Open WhatsApp

In the first place, you have to unlock your iPhone (how to unlock iPhone with an unresponsive screen). Then, open WhatsApp by clicking on its icon from the home tab.

Step 2: Visit WhatsApp’s Settings

After that, please click on the gear icon present at the bottom to visit the settings of WhatsApp.

Step 3: Look for ‘Data and Storage Usage’

From there, you have to look for ‘Data and Storage Usage‘ settings and tap on them.

Under the feature ‘Media Auto-Download,’ switch off the option for videos, photos, documents, and audio. For instance, you need to click on ‘Photos‘ and toggle the option off.

Step 4: Disable ‘Save to Camera Roll’

If you do not like the downloaded media files to appear in your Camera Roll, visit the WhatsApp settings. After that, click on ‘Chats‘ and disable the feature ‘Save to Camera Roll.’

How to Stop WhatsApp Saving Photos on iOS Devices

So, this is how to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on your iPhone. Not only photos, but users can also disable the auto-downloading feature for documents, audio, and videos.

Once you have switched off this feature, you must click on the download icon. This is to save the picture on your iPhone if you receive one.

PS: if you wish to know how to find someone on WhatsApp, here are the top solutions for you.


Part 2: How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos on Android Devices

Like iOS devices, WhatsApp also offers a feature for disabling the auto-downloading feature on Android. By default, this feature is switched on. As a result, it keeps consuming storage space on your device or cluttering the phone’s gallery.

Here are some ways to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on your Android smartphone.

Steps on How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos on Android:

To stop WhatsApp from saving photos on your Android device, go through the following instructions:

Step 1: Open the WhatsApp App

In the first place, open the WhatsApp app on your device. Go to its settings by clicking on the three dots present at the top.

Step 2: Tap on ‘Settings’ 

Next, visit ‘Settings‘ and find the ‘Data and Storage Usage‘ tab. From there. Look for the section ‘Media auto-download.’ Different options will be available, such as Mobile Data, Roaming, and Wi-Fi.

How to Stop WhatsApp Saving Photos on Android Phones

Step 3: Select the ‘Wi-Fi’ Option

If you like to disable this auto-download function for Wi-Fi, click on ‘Wi-Fi.’ Then, switch off this feature for photos or other media files. This way, users can also disable this auto-downloading feature for roaming and mobile data.

Step 4: Turn ‘Media Visibility’ Off

The application even allows users to not show these downloaded pictures in the main gallery of their phones.

To activate this feature, visit ‘Settings‘ and click on ‘Chats.’ From there, you can switch off the option ‘Media Visibility.’

Turn 'Media Visibility' Off

Step 5: Choose the ‘Storage’ Tab

If you do not like seeing these photos in your gallery, you can even go to the ‘File System.’ After that, select the ‘Storage‘ tab and then choose ‘WhatsApp.’ From there, select the ‘WhatsApp images‘ folder.

Now, you can make a new file here. Name the folder “.nomedia” and save the same. Later, you can delete the file to make the photos appear in the gallery again.

Choose the 'Storage' Tab

So, this is how to stop WhatsApp from saving photos on Android devices like Samsung phones. While the procedure will remain the same, you may witness a slight change in the overall interface.

Before you decide to stop WhatsApp from saving photos, creating a backup of your WhatsApp photos on your system is better. Use a professional tool like iCareFone for WhatsApp Transfer.

This tool even lets you transfer your WhatsApp photos to other devices if you change your smartphone. Now, let’s find out more about this incredible tool.


Extra Tip: Transfer Your WhatsApp Photos from One Device to Another

Less storage space worries many users who regularly get media files from their family members and friends.

So, they must cope with the storage issue even after stopping WhatsApp from saving photos. In that case, you need to deal with this issue in a better way.

iCareFone Transfer is one of the amazing backup and media transfer tools. The tool features an easy-to-use interface. This amazing tool allows users to easily transfer, restore, and back up their WhatsApp data.

In addition, this program enables users to transfer their WhatsApp data between Android and iPhone (how to transfer notes from iPhone to Android).

Key Features of iCareFone Transfer:

  • This tool offers the quickest way possible to transfer, back up, export WhatsApp chat, and restore WhatsApp.
  • It lets you transfer your WhatsApp messages between iOS and Android directly.
  • This tool allows users to move WhatsApp business directly between Android and iOS in just one click.
  • The program enables you to see and export your WhatsApp messages to HTML.
  • With the help of this program, backup and restore your WhatsApp chats to Mac.
  • Regarding backup and restoring, it also supports other applications like Viber, LINE, Kik, and more.
  • iCareFone Transfer works perfectly with the latest Android 13 and iOS 17.

Steps to Transfer Your WhatsApp Data from One Device to Another:

With iCareFone, it is very simple to transfer your data. For instance, this application can help if you have recently changed your smartphone. You can have your favorite WhatsApp chats on your new device in just a few clicks.

To transfer your WhatsApp files from one device to another, follow some simple steps listed below:

Step 1: Get iCareFone Transfer

First, please download the iCareFone Transfer app on your Mac or Windows PC. Install and launch the program. After that, connect both of your mobile devices to the system.

Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer

Step 2: Tap on ‘Continue’

The application will start backing up their WhatsApp data in the source smartphone. To continue, they have to tap on the ‘Continue‘ tab.

Backup WhatsApp Data

Once the backup of the data is successful, the tool will start transferring WhatsApp data automatically to the destination smartphone. Now, your chats will be successfully transferred.

Transfer data to the target device

So, the entire procedure will take some minutes. It is so simple to back up your data using iCareFone Transfer.

Plus, users do not need technical knowledge to make it work. It has a user-friendly interface. As a result, anyone can use it hassle-free!

Transfer WhatsApp Data Using iCareFone Transfer

By the way, let’s figure out how to transfer WhatsApp from Samsung to iPhone.


FAQs

  1. What happens when I turn off Auto-Download in WhatsApp? When you turn off Auto-Download, photos and videos won’t automatically save to your phone’s gallery. They will remain in your chats and can be downloaded manually.
  2. Does turning off Auto-Download delete already saved photos? No, turning off Auto-Download won’t delete any already saved photos.
  3. Can I choose to Auto-Download media only when I’m on Wi-Fi? Yes, you can choose to auto-download photos, videos, and other media only when connected to Wi-Fi.
  4. Is it possible to turn off Auto-Download for specific contacts? Yes, you can manage media visibility for specific chats in chat settings.
  5. Will I still see images in WhatsApp if Auto-Download is off? Yes, images will still appear in your chats and can be viewed without saving them to your phone’s gallery.

Conclusion

So, that’s it. These are ways to stop WhatsApp from automatically saving photos on Android and iPhone. Now, you can switch off this feature on your own.

This guide has provided some dedicated solutions to stop WhatsApp from saving photos. Also, for both iPhone and Android, for your convenience.

Additionally, users can even take the help of iCareFone to take the backing of their chats and photos on WhatsApp. Also, it can be employed for restoring a current backup or transferring your WhatsApp data directly from one device to another.

So, if you use WhatsApp regularly and do not like losing your conversations, this app is for you. Download iCareFone Transfer and care for the memories like never before!

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