WhatsApp automatically backs up all the content you receive, which often leads to the accumulation of unnecessary data. Since these backups are stored on Google Drive, sizable backup files can quickly consume your limited storage. If you find that your WhatsApp backup file has grown too large, follow the steps below to effectively reduce its size and reclaim valuable storage space.
Prevent Video Backups
Videos generally occupy the most significant amount of space among the various types of files shared over WhatsApp. Since many users share files for fun, it’s common to receive an excessive number of videos, leading to a rapid increase in backup file size. If you infrequently receive important videos, it’s advisable to prevent them from being included in your backups and save only those that matter to you. Here’s how you can exclude videos:
- Navigate to WhatsApp Settings by tapping the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Go to Chats → Chat backup.
- Disable the Include videos option.
Once this is adjusted, the next backup to Google Drive will exclude videos.
Utilize WhatsApp’s Storage Manager to Clear Large Files
Now that videos are excluded, it’s essential to address other sizable files such as images, audio files, and documents, which can also occupy substantial storage space. Luckily, WhatsApp features a built-in storage manager that provides an overview of the data consuming the most storage and allows you to delete it to reduce your backup size.
To access the storage manager, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp Settings.
- Go to Storage and data → Manage storage.
Your largest files, categorized by those exceeding 5MB, will be displayed at the top. Focus on these files first for deletion. There’s no need to delete video files here since you’ve already excluded them.
You can also browse data by each chat, enabling you to delete files based on relevance. The more you delete, the smaller your backup file becomes, allowing for additional space on your device.
Relocate Important Files to Ensure They Remain
While some large files are valuable, others may not be essential for your backups. To retain significant files without including them in your backup, consider moving them to a different location. This can be accomplished by using a file manager app to access your internal storage.
To relocate your files, follow these steps:
- Open a File Manager app.
- Navigate to Internal storage → Android → media → com.whatsapp → WhatsApp → Media.
Inside, you’ll find specific folders for different media types, including WhatsApp Documents, WhatsApp Images, and WhatsApp Video. Browse these folders to find the files you wish to retain. Once selected, tap the menu at the top right and choose Move to to relocate them to a safe location, such as another device, an SD card, or an alternate cloud service.
Consider Using a Different Google Account for Backups
If storage on your primary Google Drive account is a concern, you might opt to utilize a different Google account specifically for WhatsApp backups. This can either be a secondary account you already own or a newly created account that provides additional storage space.
In WhatsApp Settings, navigate to Chats → Chat backup, then tap your Google account. You can either select an already added secondary account or choose the option to add a new one.
Leverage a WhatsApp Cleaner App
As you continue to use WhatsApp over time, data accumulation is inevitable, leading to larger backup sizes. To simplify the cleaning process, consider utilizing a dedicated WhatsApp cleaner app. One such example is Cleaner for WhatsApp.
This app categorizes all your data, allowing you to easily select and delete or move unnecessary files. You can delete entire categories with a single click, and for more automated cleaning options, consider purchasing the premium version or watching video ads for access.
Given that Google Drive is used across a multitude of Google services, free storage limitations often fall short of accommodating an ever-growing WhatsApp backup. Regularly managing your storage ensures that you remain within your limits while keeping essential data accessible.
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