WhatsApp using a lot of storage

[adham7897]

So, in the WhatsApp settings, it's shown all chats, combined, should take around 1GB.
In iOS settings, WhatsApp takes 4GB!
Since I have auto-download off for videos, I assume WhatsApp preserves space so that I would be able to download these videos anytime I want.
Anyone has another explanation/suggestion?
I need these 3 GBs on my iPhone.

 

[GGJstudios]

So, in the WhatsApp settings, it's shown all chats, combined, should take around 1GB.
In iOS settings, WhatsApp takes 4GB!
Since I have auto-download off for videos, I assume WhatsApp preserves space so that I would be able to download these videos anytime I want.
Anyone has another explanation/suggestion?
I need these 3 GBs on my iPhone.

Do you send and receive a lot of pics and videos on WhatsApp? If so, that can run the storage requirements up significantly. I haven't seen usage under 3GB in years.

 

[adham7897]

Do you send and receive a lot of pics and videos on WhatsApp? If so, that can run the storage requirements up significantly. I haven't seen usage under 3GB in years.

I receive a lot, but only download a small portion. But again, all chats should take around 1GB according to WhatsApp (and according to my experience and number of videos downloaded).

 

[GGJstudios]

I receive a lot, but only download a small portion. But again, all chats should take around 1GB according to WhatsApp (and according to my experience and number of videos downloaded).

WhatsApp can't accurately estimate how much storage is normal, since everyone's use is different. If you're receiving a large number of photos, even if you're not downloading videos, that will greatly increase your usage vs just chats with no media attached.

 

[adham7897]

WhatsApp can't accurately estimate how much storage is normal, since everyone's use is different. If you're receiving a large number of photos, even if you're not downloading videos, that will greatly increase your usage vs just chats with no media attached.

Yeah I get that. But I'm sure these photos wouldn't take that much.
It's not an estimation. In app settings, it shows how much storage each chat is using. I combined them and it's about 1GB.

 

[GGJstudios]

Yeah I get that. But I'm sure these photos wouldn't take that much.

It depends on the average image file size and how many there are. 500 pics can add up to 1GB.

 

[ikir]

simply solution, use a Telegram and ditch WhatsApp. WhatsApp have so many issues which is unbeliable and it is client based, in 2019!! Telegram is faster, more secure, multiplatform and cloud based.
Whatsapp will always drain battery and space because it runs on your device. So very messages, image, video is on your phone, also it duplicates it before backup and by default duplicates photos (both Photos app and inside Whastapp). So it is a bad thing for every phone but everyone use it because Human race is dumb.

 

[bransoj]

But doesnt that mean he needs to get all of the people he contacts via Whatsapp to swap to Telegram as well?

 

[KennethS]

But doesnt that mean he needs to get all of the people he contacts via Whatsapp to swap to Telegram as well?

My thought exactly. We have friends and relatives in various countries and WhatsApp is pretty widely used. I don't love the fact it is part of the Facebook empire, but it would be very hard to just dump it.

 

[bransoj]

My thought exactly. We have friends and relatives in various countries and WhatsApp is pretty widely used. I don't love the fact it is part of the Facebook empire, but it would be very hard to just dump it.

Problem is that Whatsapp was pretty much first out of the blocks with it and was top of the app charts for ages as lots of folk started using it. Big ask to switch apps as its not like using a different twitter app to access twitter for example where at the end of the day you are still tweeting and reading the same stuff, to switch messaging apps needs other folk to do the same.

I'm not a big fan of Whatsapp and to be honest 95% of the time i just use the messaging on my phone either via iMessage or SMS but the one thing i have whatsapp for is a group with the lads i play cricket with and for me to swap from Whatsapp would mean me trying to convince the 25/30 folk in the group on different devices all to swap apps and then set it all up again.

 

[GGJstudios]

simply solution, use a Telegram and ditch WhatsApp.

That's simply not an option for many. WhatsApp is by far the most popular messaging app in many countries outside the U.S. You're not going to convince an entire population to switch to another app.

WhatsApp have so many issues

You may have had problems, but I've used WhatsApp reliably for years, with no problems at all.

Telegram is faster, more secure, multiplatform

Do you have any documentation to prove any of this? Also, it doesn't matter if nobody you know is using it. I have hundreds of contacts using WhatsApp. I don't know anyone who uses Telegram. YMMV

Whatsapp will always drain battery and space because it runs on your device.

Of course it runs on your device. I've never had an issue with WhatsApp causing significant battery drain. The space it uses is because I have my data (text, pics and videos) stored on my device. I prefer it that way, so I can access them offline.

it duplicates it before backup and by default duplicates photos (both Photos app and inside Whastapp).

No, WhatsApp doesn't duplicate anything. If you choose to have WhatsApp photos also saved to your Camera Roll, you can. If you don't want that, simply turn that feature off.