WhatsApp has established itself as the messaging app par excellence. In Europe and much of the world, it is essential in everyday life both personally and professionally. However, as we exchange messages, photos, videos, audios and documents, a build-up of files is generated that can saturate the internal storage of our devices. Many users wonder if there is a recycle bin in WhatsApp, like on computers, and how to use it to free up space without losing important conversations. In this guide, we explain in detail. Where is the WhatsApp trash, how to empty it, and what alternatives you have to keep your phone optimized?.
Does the WhatsApp trash really exist? Differences between Android and iPhone
It is common to think that WhatsApp, like the Windows operating system, has a visible recycling bin where deleted files and messages go. However, the platform handles data deletion differently depending on the operating system:
- On Android: There is what is known as deleted files folder or hidden trash, where recently deleted items remain for a limited time before being permanently deleted. Additionally, you can manage all media files from internal storage by accessing specific WhatsApp folders.
- On iPhone (iOS): Management is less accessible. Deleted files and messages do not go to a visible trash can, but can be recovered from a iCloud backup or by managing attachments from each chat individually.
WhatsApp has been introducing "recently deleted" sections. In some versions, especially on Android, this makes the experience more like a traditional recycle bin. However, many files continue to take up space until they are manually deleted or the cache is emptied.
Where is the WhatsApp trash?
To access and manage the trash or deleted files in WhatsApp, the procedure varies depending on the app version and operating system. Below are the most common options:
On Android
- Opens WhatsApp and press the three vertical dots icon in the upper right corner.
- Choose Settings (or Settings).
- Go to Storage and data and then to Manage storage.
- In recent versions, the section may appear Trash at the bottom, where recently deleted files are located.
- You have the option of empty the trash to free up space or select individual files to permanently delete.
If your version of WhatsApp does not show the "Trash", you can manually delete media files from the file manager from mobile:
- Open the app Archives (o File manager), search Internal storage > Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media and delete files or folders you no longer need.
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and enter the chat from which you want to delete files.
- Tap the chat name or photo at the top to open the group or contact information.
- Choose Files, links and documents.
- Manually remove items that are taking up space.
To consider: The Trash section may not be available on all devices or in all countries, as WhatsApp progressively tests new features. Advanced file management remains more flexible on Android.
What files and data are accumulating on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp doesn't just store text messages; also saves a large amount of temporary and permanent data locally and in the cloud (depending on configuration):
- Images and videos: Sent and received, both from individual chats and from groups and channels.
- GIFs and stickers: Widely used, but often forgotten and accumulated.
- Audios and voice messages: Even listened to or deleted videos can still be preserved.
- Documents: PDFs, presentations, spreadsheets, and other attachments.
- Thumbnails and cache: Temporary files that help the application load faster but also affect the space it takes.
- Backups: Databases containing chat history can grow to several gigabytes over time.
All this content, if not managed properly, can saturate the phone memory and even cause slowdowns, overheating or malfunctions.
How to empty the WhatsApp trash and free up space
Empty the trash or delete unnecessary files from WhatsApp It's essential to keep your device agile. The process varies slightly depending on the operating system, but there are universal steps and tips:
- Access the Storage section from WhatsApp Settings.
- Sign in Manage storage and check large files, forwarded files, or files belonging to channels.
- Use the button paper bin to delete them permanently.
If you can't find a trash can, you can free up space with these alternative methods:
Clear WhatsApp cache (Android)
- Go to Phone Settings > Apps > WhatsApp.
- Under Storage, tap Clear cache.
- This deletes temporary files and frees up space without deleting your chats or important files.
Manually cleaning media files
- Go to Manage Storage from WhatsApp Settings.
- Review the sections of files larger than 5 MB, forwarded many times, memes, and channel archives.
- Select the ones you no longer need and delete them using the trash can icon.
Delete files from the file manager (Android)
- Open the “Files” or “File Manager” app on your phone.
- Navigate to Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media.
- There you will see folders like WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video, WhatsApp Documents, etc.
- You can delete older or unnecessary files to free up gigabytes of space.
Clear chats without losing history (Android and iOS)
- Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat history.
- Press on empty all chats.
- You can choose whether multimedia files (photos, videos, documents) are deleted in addition to messages.
- This allows you to clean up old chats and reclaim space while maintaining your contacts and conversation structure.
Deleting old backups and databases
The backup WhatsApp backups, stored in Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone), can take up a lot of space if left unmanaged. Additionally, WhatsApp saves several local backups in the internal storage of your phone. Databases:
- Open the file manager and access Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases on Android.
- Delete older backups to free up internal space.
Keep in mind: Don't delete the last backup if you want to retain the ability to restore your recent conversations.
Additional tips to free up space on WhatsApp
Disable automatic file downloads
- Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Storage & data.
- En Automatic file download, disable options for photos, audio, videos, and documents.
- This will cause them to only discharge when you press them, preventing the device from becoming saturated.
Managing files in channels and groups
- On active channels and groups They generate a large amount of multimedia files.
- From Manage Storage, review the chats and channels that are taking up the most space and periodically delete old files.
Move files to the SD card (if available on your phone)
- If your phone supports an SD card, you can transfer WhatsApp folders (photos, videos, documents) to free up space on the internal memory.
Delete specific files by type
- From Manage Storage, filter by file type: images, videos, audio, documents, memes, or forwarded files.
- Eliminate the less important ones to keep only the essentials.
What happens to deleted chats and files? Can they be recovered?
When you delete files or messages from WhatsApp, they are temporarily moved to the "Recently Deleted" (if your version allows it) or are permanently deleted from the device and the cloud, unless there is a recent backup.
Restore deleted chats and files
- The only official way to recover full chats is by restoring a Backup preview (on Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device).
- For media files, if they have been deleted from the Trash or manually, they cannot be restored unless they have been saved to another location or in the cloud.
- To ensure you don't lose any information, turn on automatic backups and select the option "Include videos" if you want to back up these types of files as well.
Important: Once you empty the trash or delete files from the manager, there's no going back unless you have a backup. That's why it's important to double-check before deleting large or old files.
Keeping WhatsApp clean and optimized is key to the health of your device and enjoying a fast, smooth messaging experience. Using the methods and tricks explained here, you can easily free up space on your phone, avoid overloading, and ensure your important information is always protected. Getting into the habit of regularly managing your WhatsApp files and chats will allow you to get the most out of your device, prolonging its lifespan and avoiding storage issues.