Android users often encounter a situation where the internal memory of the device is rapidly filling up. One of the main culprits for the lack of free space is the messenger WhatsAppwhich by default creates backup copies of chats daily. Over time, these files accumulate, taking up gigabytes of valuable space, especially if you actively exchange media files.
Many smartphone owners do not even suspect that dozens of duplicate correspondence for different dates are stored on their disk. Standard cleaning tools don't always see these hidden archives, so you need to know where exactly they are located and how to safely delete them. This article will analyze in detail all the methods for freeing memory from outdated backups.
We will look at deleting local files in the phone's memory, clearing cloud storage Google Drive, as well as setting up automatic deletion of old versions. You will learn how to distinguish between the current copy and archived data so as not to lose important information during the system optimization process.
Local backup files in the phone memory
The messenger saves the chat history not only in the cloud, but also in the internal memory of your smartphone. These files have an extension .crypt14, .crypt15 or another, depending on the encryption version, and are stored in hidden system folders. By default, the application stores the last 7 days of backups, deleting the oldest ones automatically, but sometimes this mechanism fails or the files remain after reinstallation.
To find this data, you will need any file manager, for example Files by Google or the built-in explorer. The path to the folder may differ depending on the version Android. On new versions of the operating system (Android 11 and higher), access to the folder Android/media may be limited, so use a file manager with extended rights.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a file named
msgstore.db.crypt(without a date in the name) will result in loss of the ability to restore the most recent copy of chats when reset settings. Delete only files with the date in the name.
Inside the folder Databases you will see a list of files. The current database is usually called msgstore.db.cryptXX, and archived versions have the format msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.cryptXX. It is files with dates in the name that can be safely deleted if you are sure that you will not need them to restore history from a month ago.
Before deleting any database files, copy the Databases folder to your computer or external drive. This will create an emergency copy in case you accidentally delete the desired file.
Managing backups via Google Drive
In addition to local storage, WhatsApp synchronizes data with a cloud service Google Drive. These copies don't take up any storage space on your phone, but they can exhaust your cloud storage limit, causing photos and other services to stop syncing. This data is managed not through the messenger settings, but through the interface of the cloud service itself.
To access the settings, open the application Google Drive on your device or log in to your account through a browser. In the navigation menu, select the “Backups” section. Here you will see a list of all applications that save data in the cloud, including your messenger. By clicking on the corresponding entry, you can see the size of the occupied space and the date of the last update.
- 🗑️ Click on the three dots next to the name of the device or application to open the context menu.
- 🚫 Select “Delete backup” to erase data from the cloud.
- ⚙️ To change the frequency of creating copies, use the settings inside the WhatsApp application itself in the “Chat” section → “Chat backup”.
Deleting a copy from Google Drive does not affect files stored locally on the phone, and vice versa. This allows you to flexibly manage space: you can leave a fresh copy in the cloud for safety, but delete old local archives, or completely disable cloud synchronization, relying only on the device memory.
Clearing cache and temporary application files
Frequent users They confuse backups with application cache. The cache is temporary data that speeds up the app, but over time it can grow to incredible sizes. Unlike backups, clearing the cache does not delete your correspondence, contacts or settings, so this procedure is absolutely safe and is recommended to be performed regularly.
To clear the cache, go to the smartphone settings along Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. Use only the first option. The second button (“Clear data”) will reset the application to its factory state, deleting all chats permanently if you do not have a recent backup.
The cache size can reach several gigabytes if you often watch videos and send documents. Regularly cleaning this partition helps the system run faster and frees up space for new files. Some shells Android, for example MIUI or OneUI, have built-in garbage cleaning utilities that automatically find and offer to delete an overgrown messenger cache.
Clearing the cache is a safe procedure that does not delete your messages, while clearing data completely deletes the account from the device.
Setting up automatic deletion of old copies
To prevent the problem of full memory from returning, it is advisable to set up automatic management of backup copies. In the latest versions WhatsApp it became possible to limit the number of stored local copies and adjust the frequency of cloud synchronization. This allows the system to independently get rid of outdated files.
Go to the messenger settings through the menu Chats → Chat backup. Here you can disable downloading via mobile network to save traffic, and select the frequency of creating copies in Google Drive. If you select the “Never” option, the cloud will not fill, but you risk losing data if your phone breaks down.
| Settings option | Recommended value | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|
| Copying frequency (Google Drive) | Daily or Weekly | Average (depending on the volume of chats) |
| Uploading video to a copy | Disabled | Significantly reduces backup size |
| Local storage (Databases folder) | Automatic (7 days) | Minimum (about 50-100 MB) |
| Network for backup | Wi-Fi only | Does not affect memory, saves traffic |
Disabling video uploading to a backup is one of the most effective ways to reduce the occupied space. Video files weigh a lot, and duplicating them in the cloud quickly eats up the free 15 GB provided. Photos and text messages take up negligible space, so saving them is critical for data security. Google. Photos and text messages take up negligible space, so storing them is critical to data security.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ on different smartphone models (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). If you do not find the described items, check with the official help center of the messenger developer, as interface updates occur regularly.
☑️ Safe cleaning checklist
Using third-party cleaning utilities
For those who do not want to manually search for files in system folders, there are specialized cleaner applications. apps like CCleaner, Clean Master or built-in optimization tools from phone manufacturers can automatically find outdated backups WhatsApp. However, you should approach the use of such software with caution.
Third-party utilities sometimes mistakenly mark the necessary files as garbage. Before confirming the deletion, always carefully read the list of files that the app offers to erase. Make sure that there is no current correspondence database among them. It’s better to spend an extra two minutes on a manual check than to lose a year’s communication history.
Some advanced file managers, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer, have a search function for duplicates and large files. With their help, you can quickly find the largest databases .crypt and delete them selectively. This is a more reliable method than using aggressive "cleaners" that often just show ads.
Why might the WhatsApp folder be empty?
If you updated your phone to Android 11 or higher, the folder path has changed. Now it is located at Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases, and not in the root of the internal memory. Old files could remain in the old folder, which needs to be checked separately.
Data recovery after cleaning
If after cleaning you realized that you had deleted unnecessary things, or there was a need to return correspondence on a new device, the recovery procedure is quite simple. When you first install WhatsApp on your phone, the application automatically scans the device and the cloud Google Drive for backups.
You will be prompted to restore your chat history. If you deleted local copies with dates, but saved the current file msgstore.db.crypt or a copy in the cloud, the restoration will be successful until the last synchronization. Files with dates that you deleted to save space will not be restored, since they were archived data slices.
It is important to understand the difference between local and cloud recovery. If there is no local file on the phone, the messenger will try to download data from Google Drive. This process requires a stable internet connection and may take time depending on the size of the archive. Make sure there is enough space on your device to unpack the recovered data before starting the process.
⚠️ Attention: The recovery process can only be started when setting up the application for the first time. If WhatsApp is already installed and configured, you will have to delete the application completely (with data cleared) and install it again to see the recovery offer.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the Databases folder completely?
No, deleting the entire folder is not recommended if you want to save ability to restore chats. Inside this folder is a file without a date in the name (for example, msgstore.db.crypt14), which is the latest working copy. Delete only files that have a date in the name (format YYYY-MM-DD).
Why is the Google Drive backup not deleted?
This can happen for several reasons: you are trying to delete the file through the file manager on your computer (you need to delete it through the Google Drive application on your phone or in the web version in the “Backups” section); you are logged into another Google account; or synchronization is currently active. Try temporarily disabling the creation of copies in the WhatsApp settings, and then delete the file.
Do backups take up space in the Google tariff?
Yes, WhatsApp backups in Google Drive count towards your total storage quota (standard 15 GB for a free account. If you have a lot of chats with photos and videos, a copy may take up several). gigabyte, which will quickly exhaust the free space.
How to find the size of the backup before deleting?
In the Google Drive application, find the “Backups” section. The exact size of the file occupied by WhatsApp will be indicated. For local files, go to the folder Databases through the file manager, select the necessary files. and look at their properties - the size in megabytes will be indicated there.
Is it possible to transfer a backup copy to a memory card?
You cannot directly change the path where backups are saved in the WhatsApp settings. However, you can manually move the folder WhatsApp (or just a subfolder Databases) to a memory card via a file manager. When restoring, the application may not see this copy automatically, so you will have to return it to the original directory in the internal memory.