WhatsApp Storage Cleanup Guides Dispute ‘Trash’ Feature, Shift Focus to OS Deletion

Mediotiempo reports WhatsApp does not have an internal trash, so items deleted from chats are removed from the app immediately. Ámbito and Crónica describe a WhatsApp “papelera” reached via Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage to organize and delete heavy files without altering chats. All the guides promote using Manage storage to review large items, frequently forwarded media, and per‑chat usage before selecting files to remove. Freeing space may still require emptying the phone’s Photos or Gallery trash on Android and iOS, and deleting downloaded files manually on computers. Additional housekeeping includes disabling automatic media downloads, clearing the app cache, and pruning the heaviest chats, with backups also occupying device storage.

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