Android

How to stop WhatsApp auto-downloading media (Pixel, v2.26)

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Published 25 October 2026 · Checked October 2026

Device: Google Pixel 10a · Software: Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

Publisher: Saadat Rafiq

2 min read5 steps

Screenshot from the guide: How to stop WhatsApp auto-downloading media (Pixel, v2.26)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-stop-whatsapp-auto-downloading-media-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

In this guide
  1. Open WhatsApp Settings
  2. Tap Storage and data
  3. Tap When using mobile data
  4. Untick the media and tap OK
  5. Check the row says No media
  6. If you do not see this option
  7. If this does not work
  8. Good to know
  9. Sources
Quick answer

Open WhatsApp Settings, Storage and data. Under Media auto-download, tap When using mobile data, When connected on Wi-Fi and When roaming in turn, untick Photos, Audio, Videos and Documents, and tap OK. Voice messages always download.

5 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device
Android
Shown on
Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77
App
WhatsApp
Real screenshots
5 of 5 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

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Steps
Also include
  1. Android screenshot: Open WhatsApp Settings

    Open WhatsApp Settings

    On the Chats tab, tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings.

  2. Android screenshot: Tap Storage and data

    Tap Storage and data

    It is below Notifications: Network usage, auto-download.

  3. Android screenshot: Tap When using mobile data

    Tap When using mobile data

    It is under Media auto-download, which says: Voice messages are always automatically downloaded.

  4. Android screenshot: Untick the media and tap OK

    Untick the media and tap OK

    Ours had only Photos ticked. With all four unticked: Photos, Audio, Videos and Documents.

  5. Android screenshot: Check the row says No media

    Check the row says No media

    Then do the same for When connected on Wi-Fi and When roaming.

If you do not see this option

  • Photos still appear in the gallery? That is Media visibility in Settings, Chats: Show newly downloaded media in your device's gallery. Ours was on.
    Android screenshot: Media visibility
  • On an iPhone? WhatsApp's iPhone help: Settings, Storage and data, then tap a media type under Media auto-download and pick Never, Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and cellular. Source: How to configure auto-download

If this does not work

  • Need one photo after turning it off? WhatsApp says to tap the photo or video in the chat and tap the download button. Source: How to configure auto-download
  • Roaming costs? WhatsApp warns that auto-download when roaming might increase charges from your mobile provider. Source: How to configure auto-download

About this guide

There are three separate lists: mobile data, Wi-Fi and roaming. Ours started at Photos on mobile data, All media on Wi-Fi and No media when roaming.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 and WhatsApp 2.26.41.77, in Dark mode, taken on 25 October 2026. We unticked the mobile data list for the shots, then ticked Photos again.

Good to know

To see what WhatsApp already stores, see free up WhatsApp storage.

In short: WhatsApp, three dots, Settings, Storage and data, Media auto-download, untick, OK.

Sources

Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.

📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.

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