This post was last Updated on by Himanshu Tyagi to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
If you use WhatsApp on your PC, then sometimes you might have wondered where it stores the images and files sent and received between you and your contacts.
I prefer to use WhatsApp on my laptop as my typing is speedy, and I enjoy typing on my keyboard. Technically, there are two ways by which you can use WhatsApp on the desktop without using any Android emulators.
The first is via WhatsApp web, and the second is the WhatsApp Desktop app. We will see where each of these methods stores the media and files. However, in both cases, WhatsApp stores temporary and media files on your PC.
Before moving ahead, I would like to share one of my favorite WhatsApp tricks with you: I use Google Assistant to send voice and text messages to my friends. You can also make WhatsApp audio and video calls via Google Assistant and Siri.
Let’s now move ahead and see where it stores media files and documents:
Where Are Images and Files stored by WhatsApp Desktop App
When you are using WhatsApp via its official desktop app, then you can find the cached files and logs in this directory: “C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\Packages\5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_cv1g1gvanyjgm\LocalCache\Roaming”
Search for the WhatsApp folder on your PC if you can’t find it. Most probably, you will find similar results as shown in the screenshot.
This is why you can view images, profile pictures, etc., in the WhatsApp desktop app even if your phone isn’t connected.
Taking a closer look at the files, I noticed it stores databases, file systems, logs, and other essential files.
Still, I couldn’t find any dedicated directory for images and files as it is found in smartphones (WhatsApp Images).
This is because WhatsApp images and files are downloaded where you want to store them.
Interestingly, it also saves a crash log file in the Temp – WhatsApp Crashes folder. To find it, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type Temp and hit the Enter Button.
- You will see a Windows File Explorer with all the temporary files, including the WhatsApp Crashes folder.
Where Are Images and Files stored by WhatsApp Web on PC
If you are using Chrome, then by default, the downloaded images and files are stored in the Downloads folder of your Windows PC.
The downloaded media and documents are found in other browsers’ default download folder/directory.
You can also save WhatsApp images and files anywhere on your PC by changing the default download directory of your browser.
For how much time WhatsApp stores your media files:
WhatsApp keeps it for 90 days, after which it deletes it. After hearing this, you might be wondering what about your privacy.
Well, that is respected by the messenger as the media files are encrypted, and no one, including WhatsApp, can see your files.
Where are WhatsApp Photos stored on iPhone & Android?
By default, when someone sends you an image or photo on WhatsApp, the app saves the photo in the WhatsApp folder on Android and iOS.
If you are like me, who likes to keep your photo gallery clean by turning off the auto-download of WhatsApp media, then you have to save all received photos manually.
If you have turned off the auto-download media setting in WhatsApp, you can only view the photos in the app. They won’t appear in your photos gallery, whether Android or iOS.
To save these photos in your gallery, tap on the image and choose the Save option from the three dots menu.
After that, you can view the saved photo in your photos gallery. Let’s now see where WhatsApp stores images on Android & iOS.
WhatsApp images location on Android
WhatsApp on Android stores all the data in the WhatsApp folder on the internal storage of your Android phone.
You can find WhatsApp images by navigating to the WhatsApp Images folder in the File Explorer app of your device.
Here’s the complete path: “Files” app > Device Storage > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Images.
However, on some devices, folder paths may vary. If you cannot access WhatsApp images on the location shared above, try this method.
- Ensure that your file manager app enables the option to view hidden system files. If not, then enable it.
- After that, Navigate to the following path:
Internal storage > Android > Media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Images - You will find all the downloaded images from WhatsApp in the above folder. You can also view other WhatsApp media files such as audio, video, profile pictures, documents, stickers, and audio & video notes.
WhatsApp images location on iOS
Finding WhatsApp image location on iOS is a pretty straightforward task.
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Choose the Albums option at the bottom.
- There, you find the WhatsApp album. Open it, and you will find all your saved WhatsApp images on the device.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has helped you understand where WhatsApp images and files are stored on your PC.
If you have any doubts, please feel free to post in the comments section, and I will try my best to solve your doubts. Stay tuned for more WhatsApp articles :)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it possible to retrieve old WhatsApp conversations?
Yes, you can retrieve old WhatsApp conversations. Access the chat and scroll up for past messages. If not visible, restore from a backup if enabled. On iOS, use iCloud backups; on Android, Google Drive. Third-party software may help, but be cautious with data security.
Q2. Can I choose where my WhatsApp files get saved on my device?
Indeed, you can choose the storage location for WhatsApp files on your device. In WhatsApp settings, navigate to “Storage and Data” and “Storage Location.”
Pick your preferred location: internal storage or an external SD card. This helps manage space and organize your files.
Q3. What folder are WhatsApp images stored in?
WhatsApp images are stored in the “WhatsApp” folder on your device. This folder is usually located in the primary storage directory or SD card, depending on where you’ve chosen to save your WhatsApp data.
Within the “WhatsApp” folder, you’ll find a subfolder named “Media,” and inside that, the “WhatsApp Images” folder contains your received and downloaded images.
Q4. Why are WhatsApp images stored in a private folder?
WhatsApp images are stored in a private folder to protect user privacy and maintain data security.
Placing them in a private directory ensures that other apps or users on your device cannot easily access or manipulate these sensitive images.
This design choice aligns with WhatsApp’s commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of users’ conversations and media.
Q5. Does WhatsApp store our photos?
Yes, WhatsApp stores the photos and media that you send and receive through the app. While using the app, these images are stored temporarily on your device’s storage.
Additionally, if you have enabled the automatic backup feature in WhatsApp, your photos and other media may be stored in encrypted backups on cloud storage services like Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device’s operating system.
