WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One issue that arises frequently is managing storage, especially as users send and receive more photos, videos, and other media files over WhatsApp. Thankfully, for Android users, there is an option to move WhatsApp media files from internal phone storage to an SD card.
What are the benefits of moving WhatsApp media to SD card?
There are several advantages to storing WhatsApp media on an SD card rather than internal phone storage:
– Frees up space on your phone’s internal storage for apps, music, and other files
– Allows you to store more WhatsApp media files due to expanded storage capacity
– Provides a backup of your WhatsApp media in case you lose or switch phones
– Lets you easily transfer WhatsApp media between devices by moving the SD card
– Helps improve performance by reducing strain on your phone’s internal storage
So if you find your phone low on space, regularly delete WhatsApp photos and videos to free up room, or want a dedicated storage location for your WhatsApp media, moving it to an SD card can be very beneficial.
How to move existing WhatsApp media to SD card
If you already have WhatsApp media saved on your phone that you want to move to the SD card, follow these steps:
1. Insert your SD card into your Android phone.
2. Open the WhatsApp app.
3. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
4. Tap Backup to Google Drive and wait for the backup to complete.
5. Open your phone’s File Manager app and navigate to WhatsApp > Media.
6. Select all folders and files, tap the 3 dots menu, and select Move.
7. Choose your SD card as the destination and tap Move.
8. Once the transfer is complete, open WhatsApp and check your media is now located on the SD card.
This process backups your WhatsApp chats and media, then moves the media files from internal storage to your SD card for external storage. Just be sure your SD card has enough free space for all your WhatsApp media files.
How to set WhatsApp to directly save new media to SD card
Rather than manually moving existing WhatsApp media to your SD card, you can set WhatsApp to directly save any new photos, videos, and files to your SD card automatically:
1. Insert your SD card into your Android phone.
2. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
3. Tap Storage and data > Media auto download.
4. Select your SD card under When using mobile data and When connected on Wi-Fi.
5. Also go back and select Storage usage.
6. Tap CHANGE next to Media storage location.
7. Select your SD card as the Primary storage location.
Now when you receive or send new WhatsApp media it will be automatically stored in your designated SD card storage rather than taking up internal phone space. Just ensure you don’t remove the SD card, or it could cause issues accessing the files.
What to do if WhatsApp won’t let you select SD card
In some cases, even if you have an SD card inserted, WhatsApp may not show the option to select it as your storage location. This can happen if:
– Your SD card is full or damaged
– Your phone doesn’t have an SD card slot
– The SD card is inserted wrong or not properly mounted
– Your Android OS doesn’t allow WhatsApp to write to external storage
– The SD card is unsupported by your phone
– Third-party apps are interfering with the SD card
– WhatsApp lacks permission to access external storage
If you encounter this issue, here are some steps to troubleshoot:
1. Check your SD card is inserted correctly and has free space
2. Use your phone’s settings to format the SD card
3. Check if other apps can access and save files to the SD card
4. Enable all relevant permissions for WhatsApp in your phone’s app settings
5. Toggle your SD card’s mount/unmount setting
6. Try removing and reinserting your SD card
7. Restart your phone
8. Update WhatsApp to the latest version
9. Clear WhatsApp’s cache and data before reopening
10. Consult your phone or SD card manufacturer for compatibility issues
Following these tips should help get WhatsApp recognizing and saving media to your SD card properly.
Can I change WhatsApp backup location to SD card?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not allow users to directly change the backup location to an SD card. Backups are saved to your Google Drive storage or locally on device internal storage.
However, there is a workaround if you want to backup WhatsApp to your SD card rather than main storage:
1. First, ensure WhatsApp media files are set to save to your SD card.
2. Then use your File Manager to copy the WhatsApp/Media folder on your SD card to your computer.
3. Now copy the WhatsApp folder from internal storage to your computer.
4. Delete the WhatsApp folder from internal storage.
5. Copy the WhatsApp folder you copied from internal storage to your SD card.
6. When WhatsApp backs up now, it will save the backup to your SD card since that is the only available storage location.
While a bit complex, this process essentially tricks WhatsApp into backing up to the SD card by making it appear as internal storage. Just don’t delete the WhatsApp folder on your SD card or the backup will fail.
Potential risks of moving WhatsApp media and backups to SD card
While helpful for managing storage, there are some risks you should be aware of with saving WhatsApp media and backups on an SD card:
– SD cards can become corrupted or damaged, causing data loss
– Removing the SD card when WhatsApp is open may cause issues
– Changing phones will require you to move the SD card as well
– Apps must have permission to access the SD card location
– SD cards have slower data transfer speeds than internal storage
– If your phone doesn’t mount SD cards properly, it won’t work
– Backup manipulation can cause WhatsApp issues if done incorrectly
– Storing media on SD card reduces internal storage backup capacity
So keep these limitations in mind if choosing to utilize your SD card for WhatsApp storage needs. Be sure to actively monitor your SD card health and have proper permissions enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving WhatsApp media to SD card reduce photo quality?
No, moving WhatsApp media files to your SD card does not affect the image, video, or file quality itself. The files are unchanged. The only difference is where they are stored.
Can I use SD card to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone?
Unfortunately no, even with your SD card you cannot directly transfer WhatsApp chats or media from an Android device to an iPhone. The backup formats are incompatible. You will need to use a third-party app to facilitate the transfer.
Is it better to have WhatsApp media on phone or SD card?
It’s generally better to store WhatsApp media on an SD card rather than internal phone storage, provided your SD card is from a reputable brand and newly formatted. The expanded capacity helps free up limited internal storage. Just be sure your SD card is reliable.
How do I recover deleted WhatsApp media from SD card?
If you have WhatsApp media stored on your SD card and delete something by accident, stop using the phone immediately. Then use data recovery software designed for SD cards to scan and retrieve the deleted files. This gives you the best chance of recovering lost WhatsApp media from the SD card before it gets overwritten.
Can I use adoptable storage to integrate SD card with internal storage?
On newer Android versions like 8.0+ you can use adoptable storage to essentially treat your SD card as built-in internal storage. This allows full integration with WhatsApp. But adoptable storage encrypts the SD card, preventing easy transfer to other devices, so weigh the tradeoffs.
Is SD card required to use WhatsApp on tablet?
An SD card is not required to use WhatsApp on an Android tablet, but it is highly recommended. Since tablets only have internal storage, moving WhatsApp media to an SD card will prevent filling up that limited space and give you more room for apps and files.
How do I backup WhatsApp from SD card to Google Drive?
You cannot directly backup WhatsApp from an SD card to Google Drive. First move the WhatsApp folder back to internal storage from the SD card, then ensure WhatsApp is set to backup to Google Drive in settings. The next time it backups, it will upload the version on internal storage.
Can I use WhatsApp on two phones with same SD card?
Switching the same SD card between different phones is not recommended with WhatsApp. It can cause conflicts, data corruption, and backups failing. Each phone should have its own dedicated SD card for storing WhatsApp media files.
Is it safe to move WhatsApp to SD card?
Yes, it is generally safe to move your WhatsApp media files and backup to an SD card. However, be sure to use a high-quality, name-brand SD card and back it up periodically yourself as well. Avoid removing or swapping the SD card often while WhatsApp is open to prevent data issues.
Conclusion
Moving your WhatsApp media and backup files to an SD card can be a great way to free up internal storage space on your Android phone. Just be sure your SD card has sufficient capacity, is in good condition, and properly mounted within your phone’s settings. Always remember to back up your WhatsApp data regularly as well. With a few precautionary measures, utilizing external SD card storage can provide a seamless experience managing and expanding your WhatsApp storage needs.