WhatsApp Auto-Save Pictures... STOP IT!

Question

So in other messengers I can view pictures in the messenger without it saving automatically to my camera roll (which causes them to be auto-backed up to my Google photos)...

What the heck is up with whatsapp? My backup in Google photos is being flooded with other peoples photos and gifs and if I deleted them from my camera roll, they don't show in WhatsApp? It's pretty crappy.

How do I keep photos showing in WhatsApp, but stop them autosaving to my camera roll? I'm having to deleted them constantly from my camera roll and also in Google photos atm.

James Watson · Answer

WhatsApp - Settings - Data and storage usage - Media-auto download,

Make sure you have unchecked any media.

Tom · Answer

Unfortunately all that does is stop any pictures and gifs being displayed unless I click on them in WhatsApp and when I do, it still autosaves them to camera roll.

James Watson · Answer

All media files downloaded by WhatsApp will be saved into a folder named with 'WhatsApp'. I think maybe there is some setting option in Google Photos or something else to stop those photos in that folder auto-backing up to Google Photos.

Pallavi Reddy · Answer

Thank you.

Tom · Answer

Weird. It 100% saves to my camera roll?... Not a seperate folder...

James Watson · Answer

What version number is your WhatsApp?
You may try to uninstall it and then reinstall it with the latest V2.18.149. Make sure to grant the storage permission for the app.

Tom · Answer

OK, thanks for that. I've just realised whats going on a bit more. You are right. It's saving to a sub folder called WhatsApp and that was set to backup to Google photos, so I've turned that off. Also when I go to my images it opens a folder called all images, not camera roll.

Final question tho. Is there a way to get WhatsApp images to display in WhatsApp without saving to the phone at all? If you deleted the photos on your phone, so save it filling up my images folder, you can't view them in WhatsApp. In comparison, when you use Facebook messenger, this doesn't happen. You get the photos in messenger, but they don't also need to save to your phone, it's optional.

James Watson · Answer

> [[cite Tom]]
>
> OK, thanks for that. I've just realised whats going on a bit more. You are right. It's saving to a sub folder called WhatsApp and that was set to backup to Google photos, so I've turned that off. Also when I go to my images it opens a folder called all images, not camera roll.
> 
> Final question tho. Is there a way to get WhatsApp images to display in WhatsApp without saving to the phone at all? If you deleted the photos on your phone, so save it filling up my images folder, you can't view them in WhatsApp. In comparison, when you use Facebook messenger, this doesn't happen. You get the photos in messenger, but they don't also need to save to your phone, it's optional.

I think it will have to perform a downloading again when you try to view an old image sent in FB messenger as it has not been saved in local storage. FB saves local storage while WhatsApp saves network traffic. (smug)

Tom · Answer

So basically the answer is no? Facebook messenger doesn't clog up your phone with gifs and others photos, but WhatsApp has to to work normally...? That seems like a monumental ballache design idea. I've asked a few friends now and everyone seems to have the same issue with no idea how to stop it lol

Duckbear Lab · Answer

Joining that question...

Bilal Mobologics · Answer

If you want to be successful with best health you must need to walk regularly. You have to download the free steps counter app for running and to lose weight without spending any money.

Edward · Answer

1. Open WhatsApp, make sure you are seeing the main window - where all your chats are displayed. Tap the three vertical dots on the top right > Settings.
   2. Now tap Chat settings > Media auto-download. You'll see three options: When using cellular data, When connected on Wi-Fi and When roaming.