Overview

• WhatsApp does not offer a visible trash or recycle bin, so deleted media are removed only according to device storage or backup settings.
• On Android, deleted files remain in internal folders under Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media until users manually delete them via a file explorer or the in-app Manage Storage tool.
• Recent guides walk users through Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage to identify and remove large or frequently forwarded items without uninstalling the app.
• iOS devices automatically purge deleted WhatsApp media after 30 days or when users clear the system cache, eliminating the need for manual cleanup.
• Because WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption and relies on Google Drive or iCloud for backups, restoring deleted chats or media requires uninstalling and reinstalling the app to recover from the latest backup.