Storage

Maybe WhatsApp reached your phone's storage limit with cached files.

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - http://support.apple.com/HT201656 - "About cached files in Other ... Your device automatically removes cached files and temporary files when your device needs more space."

Note there's different kinds of "storage". Click on this link to "Learn the difference between your device and iCloud storage, ways to manage your space, and where to buy more if you run out." --> https://support.apple.com/HT206504

Take-away:

1. Storage on a device itself is fixed and cannot be upgraded. You have to change your present device for one with more capacity.

2. iCloud storage is on Apple's main computers. It is not a like a normal storage hard drive but by using optimization settings on your device it can help free up device storage. Lesser used items and larger file versions can be stored in ICloud and you can get access while connected to the Internet. It does not turn a 64 GB storage device into a 64 (or whatever) + 50GB/200GB/2TB device but if you have a lot of things that aren't being used much, or you don't mind only having lesser quality photos on your device it can free up extra space so you can make the best of the GB you do have on the device itself.

If you have upgraded iCloud storage and are seeing a message on your device that storage is full then it is possible you are not making the best use of iCloud storage and need to use optimization features. If you do have optimization activated then it is possible you are exceeding your device's needs in terms of on-device storage and you need to buy a device with more storage.