On most phones running Android 11 or newer, WhatsApp files are in Internal storage, Android, media, com.whatsapp, WhatsApp, Media, with a subfolder for documents, images, video, audio and voice notes. On older phones the folder is WhatsApp/Media in internal storage. WhatsApp Business uses com.whatsapp.w4b. The easy way is to save a file to Downloads when it arrives, using the share sheet.
The folder path
On most phones with Android 11 or newer, WhatsApp keeps received files here:
Internal storage / Android / media / com.whatsapp / WhatsApp / MediaOn older Android versions, and on phones upgraded from them, the folder is often at the top of internal storage:
Internal storage / WhatsApp / MediaPhone makers can arrange things slightly differently, so treat these as the usual places to look.
How to open it
- Open the Files app, such as Files by Google, or your phone maker's own file manager.
- Go to Internal storage.
- Open Android, then media, then com.whatsapp, then WhatsApp, then Media.
Android 11 and newer block apps from opening the Android/data folder, but the Android/media folder is still reachable in the Files app on most phones. Some third-party file managers cannot open it.
What is inside
| Folder | What it holds |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp Documents | PDFs, spreadsheets, Word files, ZIPs and other documents |
| WhatsApp Images | Photos |
| WhatsApp Video | Videos |
| WhatsApp Audio | Audio files that were sent as audio |
| WhatsApp Voice Notes | Voice messages, in dated folders |
| WhatsApp Animated Gifs, Stickers, Profile Photos | Small media and pictures |
Each folder usually has a Sent subfolder for files you sent. Files appear here only if they were downloaded to the phone. A chat item with a download arrow is not on your phone yet.
Why you cannot find a file
- It was never downloaded. Tap the arrow in the chat first.
- It is hidden deep. The path is nested, and on newer Android versions some apps cannot open it.
- Names are not helpful. Photos and voice notes get long generated names, and many files look alike.
- Auto-delete or clearing a chat. If you delete a chat or clear media, the files may go with it.
- A new phone or restored backup. Not every file comes back with a restore.
An easier way
Instead of searching a nested folder later, save the file to your normal Downloads folder the moment it arrives. Open the file in WhatsApp, tap Share, and pick SaveLocal. It copies the file to Downloads with its original name and returns you to the chat. See how to save WhatsApp files for the steps. Downloads is a place every file manager and app already knows, and Recent Saves in the app lists what you saved.
WhatsApp Business and clones
WhatsApp Business uses its own folder, com.whatsapp.w4b, in the same place. Apps that run a second copy of WhatsApp use their own folders too. The share-sheet method works the same in all of them, since every one has a Share button.
Questions people ask
Where are WhatsApp documents stored on Android?
Usually in Internal storage, Android, media, com.whatsapp, WhatsApp, Media, WhatsApp Documents. On older phones it is WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents in internal storage.
Why can I not open the WhatsApp folder?
Some file managers cannot open the Android folder on newer Android versions. Use the Files app from Google or your phone maker's file manager.
Where are WhatsApp photos stored?
In the WhatsApp Images folder in the Media folder. WhatsApp can also show them in your gallery if Media visibility is on.
Are WhatsApp files stored in the cloud?
Files you have downloaded are on your phone. WhatsApp is not designed as long-term file storage, so keep your own copy of anything important.
How do I keep WhatsApp files somewhere easier to find?
Save them to Downloads or your own folder when they arrive. Share the file and pick SaveLocal.
Does WhatsApp Business use the same folder?
It uses a similar folder named com.whatsapp.w4b.
Keep reading
Stop hunting for files
SaveLocal is free on Google Play. Share, pick SaveLocal, done.
For reference. Steps and screens described here are as they appear in SaveLocal, and menu names and folder paths can differ between phone makers and versions of Android and WhatsApp, so check them on your own phone. SaveLocal saves what another app shares with it, so the result depends on what that app allows. It is not a file manager and not a backup service, so keep separate copies of anything important. You are responsible for having the right to keep the files you save. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, Chrome and other app names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe what SaveLocal works with.