Many messenger users wonder where files with stickers are physically located in order to add their own unique images or simply clear space in the device’s memory. The standard set of emoji and downloaded packages take up space, and access to system folders is often hidden from the eyes of the average user. In the latest versions of the operating system Android the data storage structure has changed, which has caused additional confusion when searching for the necessary directories.
Searching for these files is necessary not only to clean up the storage, but also to customize communication. You can create your own pack using friends' photos or funny pictures from the Internet if you know where to put them. The security system Google gradually limits application access to shared folders, transferring all data to isolated containers.
In this material we will analyze the current file paths for different versions of the operating system. You will learn how to bypass access restrictions and where exactly to look for hidden files with the extension .webp. This will allow you to effectively manage your messenger's media library.
Standard paths to files on different versions of Android
The location of the files directly depends on the version of the operating system installed on your smartphone. Before release Android 11 applications had more free access to the file system, and the paths were intuitive. However, with the introduction of stricter storage policies, the folder structure became more confusing for the average user.
On devices with firmware version Android 10 lower, the files were usually located in the root directory of the internal memory. The path looked like this: WhatsApp/Stickers. Here you could easily find and remove unnecessary packages or add new ones manually through the file manager. Nowadays, such a structure is becoming less and less common.
Starting with Android 11 and including the current versions Android 14 and 15, all application data has moved to the system folder Android/media. Now the full path to the stickers looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Stickers. You can only find this folder using advanced file managers or by granting special permissions to the application.
⚠️ Attention: On some models smartphones from manufacturers Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei folder names may differ slightly due to proprietary shells. Always check the contents of folders if you do not find files in the standard path.
Search through the built-in file manager
The easiest way to find the files you need is to use the standard “Files” or “My Files” application, which is pre-installed on most smartphones. However, by default, it may hide system folders and other application folders for security purposes. You will need to enable the display of hidden files in the settings of the explorer itself.
First, open the file manager application and go to the “Internal storage” section. If you are using a device with a new version Android, immediately go to the folder Android, then media. Here you will find a folder named com.whatsapp. It contains all the messenger data, including media files.
Next you need to follow the chain: WhatsApp → Media → WhatsApp Stickers. This directory contains folders with downloaded sticker sets. The files inside have the extension .webp, which is a modern format for web graphics that supports transparency and animation.
- 📁 Open Explorer and go to the internal memory of the device.
- 📂 Find the folder
Android, thenmediaandcom.whatsapp. - 🔍 Follow the path
WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Stickersto search for files. - ⚙️ Turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings if the folder is not visible.
If the standard Explorer does not open the Android folder, download the file a manager with extended access, for example, Total Commander or Solid Explorer.
Using third-party file managers
Standard tools Android often restrict access to system directories, especially after security updates. To fully work with sticker files, it is better to use specialized applications, such as FX File Explorer, ES Explorer or MIXplorer. These apps are able to request the necessary permissions from the system.
When you first launch such a manager, you will see a request for access to files. Once permissions are granted, the application will show the complete directory structure. You will need to find the root folder of the device (usually indicated as /storage/emulated/0) and follow the path described in the previous section. The interface of such apps is more informative and shows hidden files by default.
An important advantage of third-party managers is the ability to batch process files. You can select several folders with stickers at once and delete them or move them to your computer. Also, many of them have a built-in search function by extension, which will speed up the search for files of the format .webp.
☑️ Checking file access
File formats and technical features
Stickers in WhatsApp use the format WebP. This format was developed by Google to replace JPEG, PNG and GIF formats on the Internet. Its main advantage is high image quality with a significantly smaller file size, which is critical for fast loading in instant messengers.
There are two types of files WebP: static and animated. Static stickers weigh only a few kilobytes, while animated ones can take up more space, but are still lightweight compared to GIF. When adding stickers manually, it is important to follow the technical requirements: the image size must be square, preferably 512x512 pixels.
If you plan to create your own sets, you will need to convert the images to a format WebP with a transparent background. Regular JPEG files with a white background will look unsightly. For conversion, you can use online services or graphic editors on your computer before copying the files to your phone.
td>512 x 512 px
| Option | Static sticker | Animated sticker |
|---|---|---|
| File format | WebP | WebP (Animated) |
| Recommended size | 512 x 512 px | |
| Max. file size | 100 KB | 500 KB |
| Background | Transparent | Transparent |
Why exactly WebP?
The WebP format provides lossless compression, which makes loading stickers instant even with a weak Internet connection. It is the de facto standard for modern web graphics.
How to add your own stickers through the file system
Adding your own stickers manually is a creative process, but requires care. First, prepare the images: they must be in WebPformat, have a transparent background and be of appropriate size. After preparation, copy the files to the folder WhatsApp Stickersthat we talked about earlier.
However, simply copying files to a shared folder may not be enough for them to appear in the messenger interface. WhatsApp uses a database to index packages. In order for the system to “see” new files, you often need to use a special sticker creator application that will write the necessary metadata, or use the “My Stickers” function inside the messenger itself.
If you still want to try manual addition, create a new folder inside the stickers directory, name it, for example, MyPack, and place the files there. Then, in the messenger app, go to the sticker settings and click “Add.” If the system supports manual scanning, your pack will appear in the list.
⚠️ Attention: When manually copying files, there is a risk of damaging the sticker database. Before experiments, create a backup copy of the folder
Clearing the cache and deleting unnecessary sets
Over time, the collection of stickers grows, taking up valuable megabytes of internal memory. Deleting unused folders is an effective way to free up space. To do this, go to the folder with stickers in the file manager and delete those directories that you no longer need.
You can also clear the application cache through the settings itself Android. Go to Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Storage and click “Clear cache”. This will not delete your personal messages or media files, but it will remove temporary files that may have accumulated.
Be careful when deleting files directly through File Explorer. If you delete system files or active set files, they may no longer appear in chats. Always check the contents of the folder before cleaning.
Regularly cleaning the WhatsApp Stickers folder can free up from 50 to 200 MB of memory, which is especially true for devices with a small amount of built-in storage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I move stickers to an SD card?
By default WhatsApp stores all data in the internal memory. Moving the folder of stickers to the SD card manually will not cause them to work in the application, since the messenger searches for files in a strictly defined path in the internal storage.
Why don’t I see the Android folder in the file manager?
On Android 11 and newer access to the folder Android limited. Use a file manager that asks for special permission to access this directory, or connect your phone to your computer in file transfer mode.
How to convert a picture to a sticker format?
Use online converters or applications like "Sticker Maker". Upload the image, remove the background (make it transparent) and save the result in the format WebP.
I deleted the folder with stickers, what should I do?
Don’t worry. Just re-add the desired set of stickers through the sticker store in the application or create a new pack. Correspondence will not be affected.
Do stickers take up a lot of space?
One pack of static stickers weighs little, but if you have dozens of sets and many animated stickers, the total volume can reach several gigabytes per year of use.