How to view WhatsApp media in files app when "Save to Camera Roll" is turned off ?

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Level 1

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How to view WhatsApp media in files app when "Save to Camera Roll" is turned off ?

I've toggled the "Save to Camera Roll" switch in WhatsApp to off, so that media (photos and videos received from other people) don't clutter the photos app.

But the media I download must still be getting stored somewhere within the filesystem. I want to be able to view this data and delete particular things I don't need currently. I do not want this to do from within WhatsApp as that will delete it permanently. Deleting it externally will keep the thumbnail in the WhatsApp chat so I can re-download it later on.

The issue is, I'm not able to view this data from the files app. What can be a possible way out ?

iPhone 12, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 19, 2020 8:02 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 20, 2020 12:40 AM in response to Lyrical_Lava

What Axel said. WhatsApp is sandboxed and you won't be able to access internal app storage to remove them in the way you've described.

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Answer 2

Axel Foley

Level 10

150,966 points

Nov 19, 2020 9:08 PM in response to Lyrical_Lava

This is a question for the WhatsApp support team on their website.

The thing is that WhatsApp either saves media on your Camera Roll or it saves within its own infrastructure on your iPhone and also backs up on iCloud (If you use iCloud). I have also turned OFF save to Camera Roll for the same reason that you listed.

The way I have things setup in WhatsApp is:

Open WhatsApp ➔ Settings tab (Bottom Right) ➔ Media Auto Download : All Options set to OFF. Then under Storage ➔ Manage Storage : Here you have several options to remove media while maintaining an empty icon and if chosen then it will pull the data from your iCloud WhatsApp backup file.

Axel F.

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Answer 3

Axel Foley

Level 10

150,966 points

Nov 20, 2020 6:31 AM in response to Lyrical_Lava

Do you use iCloud for WhatsApp backup?

Axel F.

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Answer 4

Axel Foley

Level 10

150,966 points

Nov 20, 2020 5:22 PM in response to Lyrical_Lava

You are welcome!

Axel F.

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Answer 5

Lyrical_Lava Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 20, 2020 3:49 AM in response to Axel Foley

“Here you have several options to remove media while maintaining an empty icon and if chosen then it will pull the data from your iCloud WhatsApp backup file.”

I didn’t get any such option there. All it offers to do is show me and media and an option to delete them on long press.

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Answer 6

Lyrical_Lava Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 20, 2020 6:40 AM in response to Axel Foley

Yes. I have WhatsApp backup turned on both in settings->iCloud and also from within the chat backup feature in WhatsApp settings.

But when I went to the “Manage Storage” section and deleted a particular photo by long pressing on it, it was removed completely from the chat. There was no thumbnail as you mentioned.

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Answer 7

Axel Foley

Level 10

150,966 points

Nov 20, 2020 8:57 AM in response to Lyrical_Lava

When I was testing that feature, for this post, I had large files with an option to delete on iPhone. I did that and freed up space however the thumbnails remained in chat. Since those are gone and now when I select the remaining photos then I am facing with the same issue as yours with an option to permanently delete. I am now unable to duplicate what I did yesterday. Wondering if that was only meant for media/video files. I will need to check on WhatsApp support and dig further.

Axel F.

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Answer 8

Lyrical_Lava Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 20, 2020 9:42 AM in response to Axel Foley

Okay do let me know if you find anything. That would be really useful. And also, thank you for such amazing assistance and quick response !

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How to view WhatsApp media in files app when "Save to Camera Roll" is turned off ?

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