Messenger users are often faced with the need to save their favorite images or find the originals of sent files. The question of where WhatsApp stickers are stored on Android becomes especially relevant when you need to clear the device’s memory or transfer a unique collection to a new smartphone. The file management system in modern versions of Android has undergone significant changes, which sometimes makes it difficult to navigate through internal application directories.
By default, the messenger hides its service data from prying eyes, placing it in protected system folders. However, if you have access rights to the file system and use any file manager, you can easily find the necessary directories. It is important to understand the difference between custom sets that you downloaded from the store and custom images added manually.
In this article we will analyze in detail the directory structure that is relevant for Android 11 and newer, and also look at the old paths for devices with previous versions of the operating system. You will learn how to distinguish sticker files from a regular media library and what file formats are used to store them inside the application.
File system structure and changes in Android 11+
Starting with the eleventh version of the operating system Android, Google has implemented strict file system access rules known as Scoped Storage. This means that applications can no longer freely read and write files in the root of the internal memory as they did before. Now all application data, including WhatsApp, is isolated in a special system folder.
Previously, users could simply go to the root of the memory and find a folder with the name of the messenger. Now the path has become much more complicated and requires going through several system directories. If you are using a modern smartphone released after 2020, most likely your files are located in the protected zone. Android/data.
To access this data you will need an advanced file manager, such as Total Commander, Files by Google or MiXplorer. Standard explorers from some manufacturers may restrict access to the folder data, displaying it as empty or hidden. In this case, you may need to provide special permissions through the system settings.
⚠️ Attention: Directly deleting files from the system folder
Android/datamay lead to incorrect operation of the application or loss of correspondence history. Proceed with caution and create backup copies before making changes.
Current paths to folders with stickers on modern devices
If your smartphone is running a recent version of the OS, you need to search for files using the following route. This path is the uniform standard for all applications that follow Google's security policies. Navigation here requires care, since folder names are case sensitive.
Open your file manager and sequentially go to the following directories: internal memory, then folder Android, then data. Here you will find a directory with the application package name com.whatsapp. You need to go through a path inside it files -> WhatsApp -> Media.
It is in the folder Media that all visual content is stored. However, the stickers themselves do not belong in the same pile as the photos. They are distributed in subdirectories depending on the type. The catalog WhatsApp Stickersis intended for custom sets created by you or friends. This also includes files that you added manually through the sticker creation function.
- 📁 Full path:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.whatsapp/files/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Stickers - 📁 Path for temporary files:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.whatsapp/cache - 📁 Path for sent media:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.whatsapp/files/WhatsApp/Media/Sent
Inside the folder WhatsApp Stickers you will see files with the extension .webp. This is a modern image format that provides high quality in a small file size. Each set of stickers can be represented by a separate folder or group of files with unique names consisting of hash sums.
If you do not see the Android/data folder in your explorer, try connecting the phone to the computer in file transfer mode (MTP) - access to these directories through a PC is often available without additional settings.
File location on older versions of Android (up to 10 inclusive)
Owners of devices that have not been updated to the latest versions of the operating system have easier access to files. In interfaces Android 9, Android 8 and earlier versions, the directory structure was linear and intuitive. Application data was stored directly in the root of the internal memory.
To find stickers on such a device, just open Explorer and immediately see a folder with the name WhatsApp. Inside it there is also a directory Mediathat serves as storage for all types of multimedia. The logic for placing files inside remains the same, only the starting point of the path changes.
Users often confuse these two paths when transferring data from an old phone to a new one. When restoring a backup on a modern device, files from the old path may not be picked up automatically unless they are moved to the new system directory Android/data.
| Android version | Initial path | Availability | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 10 and below | /WhatsApp/Media/ |
Open | Any Explorer |
| Android 11 | /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ |
Restricted | Special. Explorer rights |
| Android 12+ | /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ |
Strict | System resolution |
| Android 14+ | /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ |
Closed | Only via PC or ADB |
Please note that even on older devices, some shell manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung) could implement their own access restrictions. In rare cases, the path may differ, but the basic structure WhatsApp/Media remains unchanged for legacy versions.
File formats and working with the WebP extension
The main format for storing static stickers in WhatsApp is WebP. This format was developed by Google and is widely used on the Internet due to its efficient compression. Unlike the usual JPEG or PNG, WebP files can contain a transparent background, which is critical for stickers.
Many standard image galleries on smartphones cannot display this format correctly, showing an unknown file icon or an empty square instead of a picture. To view the contents of the stickers folder, you may need to install a third-party image viewer or convert the files.
If you plan to edit the stickers or use them in other applications, the easiest way is to convert them to PNG. There are many online services and offline utilities for batch conversion. However, be aware that if you convert to a format that doesn't support transparency (such as JPEG), the background will appear white or black.
How to open WebP on a computer?
On Windows computers, the standard Photos app usually opens WebP without problems. On macOS, it is better to use the Safari or Chrome browser for this, simply dragging the file into the browser window, or install the free QuickLook plugin.
In addition to static images, there are animated stickers in the messenger. They also use the WebP format, but with animation support. Technically this is the same file, but containing a sequence of frames. These files are usually heavier than their static counterparts, but they are still better optimized than older GIF formats.
How to transfer or save a collection of stickers
A common task is to save a unique set of stickers before deleting an application or changing your phone. Simply copying files is often not enough, since WhatsApp links sets to an internal database. However, physically copying the files will save the images themselves.
To transfer the collection to another phone, follow these steps. First, copy the entire folder WhatsApp Stickers from your old device. Then paste it into the appropriate directory on the new smartphone, observing the current path for your version of Android.
- 📂 Copy the folder
WhatsApp Stickersto the internal memory of the new phone. - 📂 Make sure that the access rights allow the application to read this directory.
- 📂 Launch WhatsApp and check the tab with stickers - sets may appear automatically.
- 📂 If the sets do not appear, use a third-party application to add stickers, specifying the path to the copied files.
There are special sticker manager applications, such as Personal Stickers for WhatsApp. They allow you to import ready-made sets from files. This is the most reliable way to restore a collection, since the application itself will register the packages in the messenger database.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring files manually, make sure that WhatsApp is already installed on the new device and you are logged into your account. An attempt to write files before installing the application may result in the system deleting them as “garbage” of unknown origin.
☑️ Preparing to transfer stickers
Clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary ones stickers
Over time, the folder with stickers can grow, taking up valuable space in the device’s memory. This is especially true for animated sets and custom collections that accumulate over months. Clearing this data can free up several hundred megabytes of free space.
The safest way to delete it is through the app interface itself. Go to WhatsApp settings, select "Data and storage", then "Manage storage". Here you can see how much space stickers take up and delete unnecessary sets selectively.
If you prefer manual deletion through a file manager, be extremely careful. Delete only files from the folder WhatsApp Stickers. Do not touch the files in the folder Cache while the application is running, as this may cause problems with the interface until the next reboot.
Remember that deleting sticker files from the phone's memory will not delete them from chats if a conversation has already occurred. Links to these images will remain in the message history, but when you try to open a deleted file, you will see an error message or a broken picture.
Regularly clearing the WhatsApp Stickers folder of unused sets is an effective way to deal with low memory without losing important correspondence.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why can't I see the Android/data folder on my phone?
Starting with Android 11, access to this folder is limited to standard applications. Try using a file manager with extended rights (for example, Total Commander) or connect your phone to your computer via USB - this folder will be freely visible on your PC.
Is it possible to convert WhatsApp stickers into regular pictures?
Yes, the files have the extension .webp. You can rename them to .png or use online converters. However, remember that stickers often have a transparent background, which will be lost when saving to JPEG format.
Where are downloaded third-party sticker packs stored?
Third-party applications usually store downloaded packs in their own folders in the root memory or in Android/data. But after adding to WhatsApp, copies of the files are duplicated in the system folder of the messenger com.whatsapp/files/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Stickers.
Deleting the folder with stickers will delete my chats?
No, the chat history is stored in the database, not in the media files folder. Removing stickers will only affect the ability to view those specific images in old messages, but the text and other information will remain intact.
How to add your pictures as stickers without third-party apps?
Inside a chat, click on the paperclip icon, select "Sticker", then the plus icon. You can crop any photo from the gallery and add it. Physically, this file will be saved in the same folder WhatsApp Stickers.