Messenger WhatsApp has become an integral part of everyday communication, but few people think where exactly your correspondence, photos and videos are stored on a smartphone running Android. This data takes up gigabytes of memory, and losing it can be catastrophic—especially if the chats contain important documents, work communications, or personal memories. Unlike iOSwhere the file system is strictly isolated, Android provides more opportunities for manual data management, but also requires the user to understand how storage works.

In this article we will detail let's look at:

  • 📁 Where the WhatsApp files are physically located on the internal memory and SD card
  • 🔄 How they work backup copies and how local backups differ from cloud backups
  • 🔍 Hidden folders and system datathat the messenger creates without your knowledge
  • ⚠️ Risks of data loss when you reinstall the application, reset the phone or update Android

You will learn not only paths to folders, but also how transfer chats to a new phone, recover deleted messages or free up space by deleting unnecessary media files. And also why WhatsApp encrypts the database, but does not protect backups in Google Drive by default.

1. Main WhatsApp folders on Android: where to look for chats and media

All data WhatsApp on Android is stored in two key folders:

  • 📱 Internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/ (or /sdcard/WhatsApp/ on older devices)
  • 💾 SD card (if used): /storage/XXXX-XXXX/WhatsApp/, where XXXX-XXXX is the unique card identifier

These directories are created automatically when you first start the messenger and contain several subfolders with different purposes.

Here is the structure of the main folder WhatsApp:

FolderContentsIs it possible to delete?
DatabasesDatabase files with messages (msgstore.db.crypt14)❌ No (will lead to loss of chats)
MediaPhotos, videos, voice messages, stickers✅ Yes (will free up space)
BackupsLocal backups (if enabled)⚠️ Only old backups
Animated GifsGIFs sent in chats✅ Yes
Profile PicturesContact avatars✅ Yes (will be updated the next time you open the chat)

The most important file — msgstore.db.crypt14 (or crypt12 on older versions). This is encrypted database, in which all your messages are stored, including deleted ones (if they have not been completely erased), it will be impossible to restore correspondence, even if you have a backup copy in Google Drive.

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To see hidden folders (for example, Databases), enable the display of hidden files in the file manager. In Total Commander this is done through Settings → Display → Show hidden files

2. WhatsApp backups: local vs cloud

WhatsApp creates backups automatically, but many users do not understand the difference between local and cloud backups. Local copies are stored on the device itself, and cloud copies are stored in Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS). Here are the key differences:

  • 🔄 Local backups:
    • Created daily at 2:00 local time (if the phone is connected to charging and Wi-Fi)
    • Stored in a folder /WhatsApp/Databases/ as files msgstore.db.crypt14 with the date in the name
    • Can be transferred to another phone manually (for example, via a computer)
  • ☁️ Cloud backups (Google Drive):
    • Manually configured in Settings → Chat → Backup
    • Can take up to 15 GB space in your account Google (free)
    • Not encrypted by default (they can be read by anyone with access to your Google Drive)

⚠️ Critical vulnerability of cloud backups: unlike the database itself WhatsApp (which is end-to-end encrypted), backup copies are Google Drive not protected from viewing by third parties. This means that if someone gains access to your account Google, they will be able to download and read all your correspondence. To enable encryption of backups, go to: Settings → Chat → Backup → Backup encryption and create a password.

📊 How often do you backup WhatsApp?
Never
Once a month
Once a week
Daily

3. How to find and view the WhatsApp database

The file msgstore.db.crypt14 contains all your messages, but you can’t just open it - it’s encrypted. To read the content you will need special tools. Here are the step-by-step guide:

  1. Copy the file to your computer:
    • Connect your phone to the PC via USB (in file transfer mode)
    • Go to /WhatsApp/Databases/ and copy msgstore.db.crypt14 and msgstore.db.crypt14.key (encryption key)
  2. Use the decryption utility:
    • Download the app WhatsApp Viewer (for example, WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor or WAR (WhatsApp Reader))
    • Upload both files into it (.crypt14 and .key)
  • Export data:
    • The app will show all chats in a readable form
    • You can save correspondence in .txt, .html or .csv

    ⚠️ Attentionformat: if you deleted WhatsApp and installed it again, the database will be reset to the latest backup To avoid losing messages:

    • Before reinstalling, copy the folder Databases to your computer
    • After installation, return it back by replacing the new database with the old one

    Otherwise the messenger will create a new database and old messages will be lost.

    ☑️ Preparing to transfer WhatsApp to a new phone

    Done: 0 / 4

    4. Where WhatsApp stores media files (photos, videos, voices)

    All media files that you receive or send to WhatsAppare saved in the folder /WhatsApp/Media/by default. It has the following structure:

    WhatsApp/

    └── Media/
    

    ├── WhatsApp Images/          # Photos from chats
    

    ├── WhatsApp Video/          # Video
    

    ├── WhatsApp Animated Gifs/   # GIFs
    

    ├── WhatsApp Voice Notes/    # Voice messages
    

    ├── WhatsApp Stickers/       # Stickers
    

    └── WhatsApp Profile Pictures/ # Contact avatars

    Default WhatsApp automatically downloads all media to the phone gallery, but this can be disabled: Settings → Storage and data → Autoload media files.

    Here you can choose which types of files to download automatically (photos, videos, audio) and on what connection (Wi-Fi, mobile data or never).

    💡 How to free up space:

    • 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files from folders WhatsApp Images i WhatsApp Video (they take up the most space)
    • 🔍 Use the built-in function Cleaning storage in settings WhatsApp (shows the largest files)
    • 📁 Transfer media to SD card or cloud (for example, Google Photos)

    Please note: if you delete a file from a folder WhatsApp, it will also disappear from the chat (if it was not sent again).

    What to do if media files are not displayed in the gallery?

    If there are files in the folder WhatsApp/Media, but are not visible in the gallery, try:

    1. Reboot the phone.

    2. In the file manager, create an empty file with the name .nomedia in the folder WhatsApp/Media (this hides the files from the gallery), then delete it.

    3. Use another application to view photos (for example, QuickPic or Google Photos).

    5. Transferring WhatsApp data to a new phone

    When buying a new smartphone, the main question is how transfer correspondence and media from WhatsApp without loss. There are several methods, and their choice depends on whether you stay on Android or switch to iOS (and vice versa).

    Method 1: Through Google Drive (the most simple)

    • ☁️ On your old phone, create a backup in Google Drive (Settings → Chat → Backup)
    • 📱 On your new phone, install WhatsApp, log in with the same number and recover data from Google Drive
    Important: both phones must be linked to the same account Google, and the new device must have enough space for recovery.

    Method 2: Manual transfer via computer (if Google Drive does not work)

    ☑️ Steps to manually transfer WhatsApp

    Done: 0 / 4

    This the method works even without Google Drive, but requires caution: if you run WhatsApp on a new phone before transferring files, it will create a new database and old messages will be lost.

    ⚠️ Attention: when transferring from Android to iPhone (or vice versa) official there are no ways. There are third-party utilities like Backuptrans or Dr.Fone, but they:

    • Paid (from $20 to $50)
    • Require connecting both phones to computer
    • They may not transfer the entire history (for example, voice messages or stickers)

    The risk of data loss during such a transfer is higher, so it is recommended to first create a backup copy in Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone).

    6. How to recover deleted messages or chats

    If you accidentally deleted a correspondence or an entire chat, the chances of recovery depend on is there a backup copy. Here's what you can do:

    Option 1: Restoring from a local backup

    • 🔄 Delete WhatsApp and install it again
    • 📂 When installing, the messenger will offer to restore data from a local copy (file msgstore.db.crypt14)
    • ⏳ Select the most recent copy (dates are indicated in the file name)
    Limitation: local backups are created once a day, so messages deleted within the last 24 hours may not be restored.

    Option 2: Recover from Google Drive

    • ☁️ Make sure your phone has enough space and is connected to Wi-Fi
    • 🔑 Use the same account Google and phone number as on the old device
    • ⚠️ The process may take hours if the history is large

    If the backup is Google Drive old, only those messages will be restored were at the time of its creation.

    Option 3: Specialized apps (if there are no backups)

    If there are neither local nor cloud copies, you can try data recovery apps, such as:

    • 🛠️ DiskDigger (to recover media files)
    • 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (scans memory for database remnants)
    • 📱 Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Recovery (paid, but with a high chance of success)
    Important: the less you use your phone after deletion, the higher the chances of recovery. New data may overwrite the old ones.

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    If you deleted a message on WhatsApp, but did not delete it from the backup, it will be restored during the next backup. However, if you deleted a chat with the “Delete for everyone” option, you will not be able to restore it - it will also disappear from backups.

    7. WhatsApp data security: how to protect yourself from loss or theft

    Even if you know where the data is stored WhatsApp, this does not guarantee its security. Here are the key risks and methods of protection:

    • 🔓 No encryption of cloud backups:
      • By default, backups in Google Drive are not encrypted
      • Enable encryption in Settings → Chat → Backup → Backup encryption
    • 📲 Theft or loss of phone:
      • Enable two-factor authentication in WhatsApp (Settings → Account → Two-step verification)
      • Set up an application lock with a password (via Settings → Privacy → Fingerprint lock)
    • 🗑️ Random deletion:
      • Regularly check for backups /WhatsApp/Databases/
      • Save important correspondence manually (for example, send it to your email)

    ⚠️ Attention: if you are selling or giving away your phone, it is not enough to simply delete WhatsApp. You must:

    1. Reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset)
    2. Delete the folder WhatsApp manually (it may remain after the reset)
    3. Unlink the number from the device in WhatsApp Web (Settings → Associated devices)

    Otherwise, the new owner will be able to restore your chats unless he reinstalls the messenger from scratch.

    🔐 Additional protection:

    • Use WhatsApp Businessif conduct business correspondence - there is a function for exporting chats to .csv
    • Set up notifications about logging into your account (Settings → Account → Security → Security notifications)
    • Regularly check active sessions in WhatsApp Web (unfamiliar devices may mean hacking)

    Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

    Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone officially?

    No, there is no official way to transfer chat history between Android i iOS does not exist. WhatsApp does not provide such a tool due to differences in the architecture of operating systems. The only options are:

    • Use third-party apps (for example, Backuptrans or Dr.Fone), but they are paid and do not guarantee 100% transfer.
    • Save important messages manually (screenshots, export chat by email).

    Cloud backups (Google Drive for Android i iCloud for iPhone) are incompatible with each other.

    Why does WhatsApp not see the backup copy in Google Drive?

    The problem may be the following:

    • You are logged into another account Google on the new one phone.
    • There is not enough space on the phone to restore.
    • The backup was created under a different phone number.
    • The version WhatsApp on the new phone is older than on the old one (update the application).
    Solution:
    1. Check that you are using the same account Google and number.
    2. Make sure that there is enough space on the phone (the backup size can be seen in Google Drive).
    3. Reinstall WhatsApp and try restoring the data again.

    How to disable auto-download of media files in WhatsApp?

    To WhatsApp not automatically download photos, videos and audio:

    1. Open Settings → Storage and data → Auto-download of media files.
    2. Select connection type (Mobile data, Wi-Fi or Roaming).
    3. Uncheck the file types that do not need to be downloaded automatically.
    Tip: if you often receive large files, it is better to disable auto-download for mobile data so as not to waste traffic.

    Is it possible to recover messages if you deleted WhatsApp and didn’t do it? backup?

    The chances are extremely low, but you can try:

    • 🔍 Use data recovery apps (for example, EaseUS MobiSaver or DiskDiggerThey scan the phone's memory for the remains of deleted files.
    • 💾 If the phone did not overwrite data (for example, you did not install new applications), some messages may be saved in the cache.
    Important: the sooner you start recovery, the higher the chances. Each new entry to your phone reduces the likelihood of success.

    Where is WhatsApp call history stored?

    Calls via WhatsApp are not saved in the standard call log Android. Their history is stored:

    • In the database WhatsApp (msgstore.db.crypt14) - there are records of the date, time and duration of calls.
    • In the folder /WhatsApp/Databases/ —but only if backup is enabled.

    To export call history:

    1. Use a database reader (for example, WhatsApp Viewer).
    2. Or take screenshots of the call list screen in WhatsApp (Calls → Log).