WhatsApp is preparing a new feature that many have been asking for for a long time: the possibility of control the space of each conversation without leaving the chat itself. The feature adds a shortcut to the conversation information screen to review and delete large files in seconds.
Until now, cleaning was done from Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage; with the change, management will be faster and more specific by chat, which is especially useful on phones with low memory and in groups that share a large number of photos and videos.
What it is and what changes
The new “Manage Storage” option appears within the chat information screenFrom there, you'll see how much space that conversation has on your device and have direct access to its media content.
In addition, the view allows you to explore the shared material (images, videos, documents, and audio files) with size and sorting details to help you find the heaviest items. Multi-selection is also enabled to delete unnecessary items in one go.
This new feature complements the “Media, links and documents” section of each chat, which already existed, but did not indicate the actual weight of the files nor did it offer such space-oriented control.
How to use it from the chat tab
Access is direct and eliminates the need to jump between menus. In practice, just a few taps are enough to view and clean the space that occupies a specific conversation.
- Open the chat you want to review and tap on its name to enter. chat information.
- Select option Manage storage.
- Review content by type (photos, videos, documents, audio) and size.
- Press and hold an item to activate it. multiple choice and mark the ones you want to delete.
- Confirm the deletion when you have decided.
If the system offers you “Delete all copies", it is advisable to use it to really free up space; otherwise, they could remain saved duplicates on the device.
Availability in Spain and Europe
The feature is currently being rolled out in the testing phase. It appears in beta on Android. 2.25.31.13 And on iPhone, it's rolling out to select testers via TestFlight, according to WABetaInfo. There's no firm date yet for its general release.
Meta plans to activate it gradually, so users in Spain and the rest of Europe will receive it as the process progresses. phased deployment and its stability is confirmed.
Differences with WhatsApp's global management
The classic Settings > Storage & data > Manage storage tool is still there and is useful for cross-platform cleaning. The new chat view provides granularity per conversation and more contextual access.
If you want to see how much space the app is using overall, use the global tool. If you know a specific group or chat is using up your storage, go to its tab and use Manage Storage to act instantly.
Tips to get the most out of it without losing data
Before deleting, it's a good idea to activate or update a backup to avoid any surprises; this way, if you delete something by mistake, you'll be able to restore it from backup more recent.
- Periodically review the chats with the most traffic (groups, channels), prioritizing the heavier files.
- Consider limiting the automatic download of multimedia to avoid unnecessary accumulations.
- Avoid duplicates: Delete videos and photos forwarded many times if you no longer need them. on your device.
- Save important items to the cloud or your computer before cleaning to not to lose content.
The arrival of this tool makes daily cleaning easier: it allows you to quickly locate which conversation is taking up the most space, delete what is left over and keep your mobile agile, all without leaving the chat and with a finer control of space.
