WhatsApp Tips

WhatsApp FAQ: Where Are My WhatsApp Photos Stored

by Anna Sherry   Updated on 2024-08-06 / Update for  WhatsApp Tips

By default, any media files received via WhatsApp are stored in the WhatsApp folder. Unfortunately, some WhatsApp users often complain that downloaded images are not showing in their gallery; hence, they cannot view or use them for anything. If you are in this dilemma, this article will take a closer look at this problem and proffer reliable solutions that can help you fix it quickly and easily.

where are my whatsapp photos stored

Q 1. Where Are WhatsApp Images Stored in iPhone/Android?

By default, all images received through WhatsApp are automatically saved in your phone's Photos app. Some users will change the storage path by opening the WhatsApp app > go to the 'Settings' > Chats > turn off 'Save to Camera Roll'. After that, WhatsApp images or videos will be saved in the WhatsApp memory instead of camera roll.

Q 2. What to Do If WhatsApp Images Missing from Gallery?

If you cannot find your WhatsApp images in the Gallery app, then there is a problem somewhere. Luckily, various simple fixes can ensure you start seeing the missing images in the Gallery app. Check out these tested and proven methods to find missing WhatsApp images.

Method 1: Enable Media Visibility in WhatsApp

In some cases, this problem is caused by Media visibility settings in the application itself. So, all you have to do is to change the settings. To do so, here are the steps to take:

  • Launch WhatsApp on your device and click the three-dot menu found at the top right-hand side of your screen. You will see various options, hit “Settings”.

  • Now, move to the “Chats” option and then click it.
  • Click the toggle in front of “Media Visibility” and it will be turned on. With this, Media Visibility will be turned on for all contacts and you will be able to see all WhatsApp photos in your Gallery app.

    turn off media visibility

Method 2: Enable WhatsApp to Save Images Automatically to Camera Roll

If you own an iPhone, this particular method is for you. Normally, downloaded WhatsApp images don’t show automatically in iOS devices. So, you have to save each image manually to the Camera Roll of your device. Alternatively, you can go to WhatsApp settings to enable the “Save to Camera Roll” option. You can do this by following the steps below.

  • Open WhatsApp on your device
  • Look at the bottom right corner of your device and hit the “Settings” icon.
  • Go to “Chat Settings”
  • Tap the switch in front of “Save to Camera Roll” or “Save Incoming Media” if it is not already enabled.

    turn off save to camera roll

With this, you should be able to find all photos received from WhatsApp in your Gallery app. If this doesn’t work instantly, consider rebooting your device.

Method 3: Permit Photos on your iPhone

Sometimes, the problem may be because you have not granted photos permission on your iPhone. You can deal with this problem through this method:

  • Launch the “Settings” app on your device
  • Scroll down to the “WhatsApp” option and click it.

  • Click ”Photos” and then select “Read and Write”

    enable read and write whatsapp photos

This will grant photos permission on your iOS device and you will be able to see all images downloaded from WhatsApp.

Bonus Tip: One-Click to Export WhatsApp Photos to Mac

Whether you are changing your device or want to use some files on your Mac, there are instances where you may want to copy all photos from WhatsApp to your computer. By default, this is almost impossible. However, you can utilize Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer(iCareFone for WhatsApp Transfer) for this purpose.

With the aid of this tool, you can easily export all your WhatsApp photos, messages, and other files from your iPhone to your Mac. Hence, you will be able to use them for anything you want on your computer later. We will describe every step you need to follow below

  • Download the program to your computer, connect your mobile device to it, and then launch the app. On the home of the program, you should choose “WhatsApp”. Then look at the left menus bar and tap “Backup”.

    tap backup button on icarefone whatsapp transfer
  • At this stage, the files on the device will be backed up. This will take some minutes based on the number and size of files that you are backing up. When the backup process is successful, tap “View Backup” to proceed.

    tap view backup button on icarefone whatsapp transfer
  • Select all photos that you want to export to Mac. Once you are done with picking them, hit “Export to Computer”.

    tap export to computer button on icarefone whatsapp transfer
  • Select the place where you want the WhatsApp photos to be saved. It is suggested that you create a new folder on your desktop so that you can locate the photos easily. Once the new folder is created, select it and tap “Open”.

    open photos on icarefone whatsapp transfer
  • Wait for some seconds and you will get a message that says “Export Completed” on the screen. Then tap “OK” and there will be a folder named WhatsApp Attachment.

    export photos successfully by using icarefone whatsapp transfer
  • Now, you should double click the “WhatsApp Attachment” folder and then “Photos” folder to check out all the photos that have been saved on your Mac from WhatsApp.

    view the saved photos on icarefone whatsapp transfer

Conclusion

If you can follow all the methods highlighted above, you should be to see all images that you have downloaded from WhatsApp on your iPhone or Android device. The steps are easy to follow; hence, they are for everyone. Also, if you want to export your WhatsApp photos to Mac, this article has shown you how you can utilize TiCareFone Transfer(iCareFone for WhatsApp Transfer).

Manage Your WhatsApp Messages On Your Way
  • Transfer WhatsApp between Android and iPhone;
  • Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone;
  • Backup WhatsApp iPhone to PC/Mac Freely & Easily;
  • Supports 6000+ Android & iOS phone models, like iOS 18 & iPhone 16.