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How to Stop Auto Download Media on WhatsApp

Key Takeaways
  • Disable media auto download on your phone under WhatsApp Settings > Storage and data.
  • Configure media auto-download in WhatsApp Web and desktop app to turn off automatic downloads.

Disable Auto Download Media in WhatsApp on Phone

Disabling automatic media downloads in WhatsApp conserves your phone storage while significantly reducing your cellular data consumption.

On Android

Step 1: Open WhatsApp > tap the vertical three-dot icon at the top right > open Settings.

Step 2: Select Storage and data to configure options under Media auto-download.

Step 3: Select When using mobile data, uncheck all media types, and tap OK to stop automatic media downloads with your cellular data.

Step 4: Repeat the same for When connected on Wi-Fi and When roaming to disable automatic downloads on Wi-Fi and roaming networks, respectively.

iOS

Step 1: Open WhatsApp > tap the Settings (gear icon) at the bottom right > select Storage and Data.

Step 2: Tap Photos under Media Auto-Download > set it to Never.

Step 3: Repeat the same for Audio, Video, and Documents.

Stop Auto Download Media in WhatsApp on the Desktop

Unlike smartphones, WhatsApp saves auto-downloaded media on desktops in the browser directory or local system folder, gradually eating up significant storage. Head to WhatsApp web or app settings to disable it.

On WhatsApp Web

Step 1: Open WhatsApp Web > click the three-dot menu at the top right > select Settings.

16 WhatsApp web settings 1

Step 2: Select Media auto-download.

17 media autodownload in WhatsApp Web 1

Step 3: Uncheck all media types to stop their automatic download.

18 uncheck all media types 1

On WhatsApp Windows App

Step 1: Open the WhatsApp PC app, click the gear icon at the bottom left, and select Storage.

20 configure WhatsApp desktop app storage 1

Step 2: Uncheck all media types under Automatic downloads.

21 uncheck all media types for auto download

On WhatsApp Mac App

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your Mac and click the down arrow at the top right to open Settings.

23 WhatsApp mac settings

Step 2: Select Media auto-download and uncheck all media types.

24 uncheck all media types for WhatsApp mac app

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Last updated on 21 May, 2024

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