Are you running out of storage? Is your phone lagging? One of the reasons for insufficient storage space and slow performance is WhatsApp files saved in the phone’s internal storage.
You can save WhatsApp files onto the SD card with the assistance of a computer and a USB cable. In addition, you can copy and paste the files from internal storage to the SD card using a computer. Moreover, you can copy and paste the WhatsApp files onto the SD card using a file manager already available on your phone; or download a safe file manager from PlayStore.
In addition, you can save WhatsApp files onto the SD card using third-party apps available in PlayStore or by downloading XInternal SD from the browser.
To resolve the internal storage space issues, you can save the WhatsApp files onto the SD card to free up space in internal storage.
Why Save WhatsApp Files Onto The SD Cards?
WhatsApp app is a widely used messaging app; that allows users to exchange unlimited messages and files. Moreover, by default, the WhatsApp files save in internal storage.
Therefore, these files can take up to hundreds of MB of your phone’s internal storage.
Consequently, too excess usage of the phone’s memory gets your phone hanged and shows slower performance. Thus, it is advisable to save WhatsApp files onto the SD card.
Unknowingly social media files consume large space. Similarly, group messages are overloaded with hundreds of media files. These files ultimately end up in your internal storage, affecting your phone’s performance.
In addition, nowadays, SD cards of varying storage capacities are available. Therefore, you can choose SD cards with the right storage capacity according to your need.
Likewise, the phone’s internal storage is limited, unexpandable, and small. Comparatively, the SD card offers a large storage capacity and is expandable. In addition, you can replace the SD card once it is full.
So, it’s a better option to save WhatsApp files onto the SD card if your phone storage is on the lower side.
Can You Save WhatsApp Files Onto The SD Card?
WhatsApp saves the files in the internal storage as the default setting. Additionally, there is no inbuilt feature to change the file storage location in WhatsApp.
All the downloaded files assemble in the internal storage, occupying a large space. Besides, deleting valuable files is not a good way out of the problem. The best option is to save WhatsApp files onto the SD card.
Moving the files to the SD card will free up space, thereby providing storage to perform other functions in your phone.
As WhatsApp fails to provide a native solution to the change in storage location issue, users can use several alternative ways. Therefore, using an indirect pathway to save WhatsApp files onto the SD card will conveniently solve the storage issues.
How To Save Whatsapp Files Onto The SD Card Using A Computer
As we all know, by default, WhatsApp media is saved in the phone’s internal memory. Therefore, to free up space for your smartphone’s internal storage, you must transfer the old WhatsApp files to the SD card.
Many techniques are available to transfer the files to the SD card for rooted devices. However, rooting your device is a complicated process for many users. These non-rooted devices can opt to transfer files using a computer.
Bring on your computer and USB cable and follow the following steps:
- Firstly, connect your device to the computer using a portable USB cable.
Ensure the USB cable is of good quality and compatible with the device. - Once you connect the device to a computer, a connection prompt pop-up message will appear on your phone.
From the pop-up message, tap on Media Files Transfer.
- Now, go to “My Computer” on the desktop.
Then, double-click on your device folder in the Devices and Drives section.
- Then double-click in the Internal storage folder, and search for the WhatsApp folder. In most smartphones, the WhatsApp folder is located inside the Android folder.
Internal Storage➜ Android➜ Media➜com.whatsapp➜WhatsApp
- Once you reach the WhatsApp folder, copy the images and files in the folder.
Otherwise, you can open the WhatsApp folder and copy only the Media files.
- Then, go to the device folder again and double-click the SD card folder.
- In the SD card folder, paste the files. For convenience, create a new folder and name the folder “WhatsApp.”
Then, Unmount your device from the computer.
Before you save WhatsApp files onto the SD card, you must have the SD card inserted into your phone. In addition, the SD card inserted must have enough space to store the files.
Despite the absence of a native feature to transfer the files to the SD card, you can easily transfer the files to SD using a computer. But, you will require a compatible USB cable to transfer the files.
How To Save Whatsapp Files Onto The SD Card Using File Manager
Another simple method to save WhatsApp files onto the SD card is using the file manager on your device. The file manager enables users to copy and paste the WhatsApp files from the internal storage to the SD card.
Unlock your device, and in the App drawer, search for File Manager. Then follow the following steps:
- Firstly, tap the File Manager app from the App drawer.
- Then, tap on Phone Storage. Following a list of folders will appear. Then, search for the Android folder and tap on it.
- In the Android folder, tap the media folder. All the third-party apps’ media file is saved in the folder.
- In the Media folder, tap on com.WhatsApp to open the WhatsApp files.
- Tap and hold the WhatsApp folder that appears on the screen. As soon as you hold the folder, a list of options will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Tap on the Move icon from the options visible.
- A screen will appear showing the list of folders on the SD Card. Finally, tap Move to here to transfer the WhatsApp files onto the SD card.
To avoid mess and jumbling up between folders, you can create a new folder in the SD card by tapping the plus (+) icon at the top right. Then move the file to that folder.
That’s it! You can save WhatsApp files onto the SD card with a few simple processes.
Suppose your smartphone does not have a file manager on your phone; download ES File Explorer. This app is a useful tool for Android users as it allows all the functions similar to the in-built file managers.
How To Save Whatsapp Files Onto The SD Card Using third-party apps
The techniques, as mentioned earlier, can only move the files from internal memory to the SD card. But, every time a new file or media is downloaded on WhatsApp, it will automatically save to the internal memory.
To change WhatsApp’s default setting, you either need to root your device or download an app from Play Store. Any app that allows app data transfer from internal storage to external SD cards can be downloaded from the Play Store.
I prefer apps like AppMgrIII (App 2 SD), Link2SD, and Files To SD Card. Though these apps come with ads, it is very effective to clear the WhatsApp files onto the SD card.
Thus, follow the following steps to set SD card storage as a default storage location for WhatsApp files:
- Firstly, from the Play Store, download any apps mentioned above.
- After you install the app, you must allow permission for its usage.
To do so, enable Usage Access in the settings of your phone. If you cannot find the option in your settings, find the Settings search icon.
In the Search tab, type Usage Access. The setting will display on the screen. - Once you grant the app permission, open the app. On the app’s home page, the Move Apps icon is available.
- Then, tap on move Apps, select WhatsApp, and move the WhatsApp files to the SD card.
Now the app will automatically move the WhatsApp data onto the SD card. But, these apps might not work with several versions of smartphones. So be aware of the compatibility of the app and your smartphone.
How To Save WhatsApp Files Onto The SD Card Using XInternal SD?
As many apps may not have access to many devices, rooting your device may be necessary to transfer apps from internal storage onto the SD card. A commonly used app for non-rooted devices is XInternal SD. As this app is not available in Google Play Store, consider downloading the app from any developer’s website.
Likewise, it may not be safe to download the XInternal SD app from any website available on the internet. So, before downloading the app, make sure the website you have chosen to download the app is secure.
- Firstly, download a secure copy APK format of XInternal SD.
You can find secure downloadable files from top developers easily in your browser. - Then, install the app and allow the app permission for user access.
- Now, open the installed app and go to the app settings.
In the settings, go to Path to internal SD card. Once you tap the setting, a pop-up text box will appear. - In the pop-up box ,type:/storage/sdcard1 and tap OK.
- Then, return to the Apps settings and go to Enable for some apps. Now, select WhatsApp from the list of apps.
Finally, by default, all the WhatsApp files will automatically save to the SD card. Thereby, it will help to free space in your internal storage and enhances your phone’s performance.
The method mentioned above is the easiest and most reliable process to save files onto the SD card. But, remember, while downloading the app copy of the app, the file is secure and virus free.
FAQs
How Can You Save WhatsApp Files Onto The SD Card in iPhone?
You can save the WhatsApp files onto the SD card in an iPhone using the USB cable method or the file manager. Unfortunately, other third-party apps are not accessible to iPhones due to privacy concerns.
Can I view WhatsApp storage usage for individual chats?
Yes, you can view storage used by individual chats on WhatsApp. WhatsApp shortage gets filled up by media received from every chat that you exchange files. When you look up the WhatsApp files in a gallery or File Manager, the storage used by individual chat is not visible.
But, WhatsApp has an in-built feature to view the storage occupied by media files of different messages. So, first, open the WhatsApp app and then go to Settings➜Storage and data➜Manage Storage. Subsequently, you will see a list stating the user’s name and the storage used by individual chats.
By tapping the user’s name, you can simply view and delete the files.
Can I Save Whatsapp Messages?
Yes, WhatsApp automatically backups up your chats every day. You can change the backup settings to daily, weekly, or monthly. Users can also change the backup settings to “Never.”
To change the backup settings, go to Settings➜Chats➜Chats backup➜Backup to Google Drive. Then change the option.
All the backup chats will be stored in google drive. To secure the backup chats, enable the end-to-end encrypted backup.
Where Can I View Backup Messages And Files Of Whatsapp?
All the files and backup chats will be stored on google drive. You can easily access the backup chat by using the web version of google drive. Go to Google Drive Settings➜Manage Apps➜WhatsApp messenger.
Can I Use Whatsapp Without The SD Card?
Yes, users can use the WhatsApp app without an SD card. However, the internal storage must have enough space to install the app and its updates.
Besides, the WhatsApp app, by default, uses internal storage for its functioning. So even without the SD card, users can use WhatsApp.
Can I Save Whatsapp Files Partially In The SD Card And Partially In Internal Storage?
Yes, and also a no. Yes, in this case, you can move partial WhatsApp files onto the SD card and leave partial files in the internal storage.
No, if you use an external SD app or change the WhatsApp data storage location to the SD card. Then, WhatsApp data is automatically saved on the SD card. But, you can move the files from the SD card to internal memory.
Conclusion
Though WhatsApp is a convenient messaging app, it lacks several in-built features. However, if you have enough memory in the phone’s internal storage, then it’s fine for you to store unlimited WhatsApp files in phone storage.
But internal storage with larger storage capacity is offered in smartphones at high prices. Moreover, the external memory is expandable. Thus, users should move the WhatsApp files onto the SD card.
Though many methods are not compatible with many devices, try every method and choose the best one for your smartphone. Therefore, go on and move the burden of WhatsApp files from internal storage to the SD card.
