WhatsApp is introducing a new tool to help users free up storage on their devices.
Everyone knows the amount of crap that can accumulate on your phone thanks to WhatsApp. Soon there will be an easier way to clear out the GIFs, memes, screengrabs, audio files and other documents you get sent.
WhatsApp will start displaying files in size order, letting users preview them before deciding whether or not to delete them without leaving the app.
The option will start appearing for users this week in the Storage section of the app.
You can also bulk delete items to free up even more space.
‘WhatsApp has redesigned the storage management tool,’ the Facebook-owned app confirmed.
‘To make it more useful for people to easily identify, review and bulk delete content that may be filling their phone.’
The update is set to roll out globally this week, so if you don’t see it on your phone yet don’t panic. You’ll just need to keep an eye out for a WhatsApp update on the App Store for iPhone users or Google Play for Android phones.
This new feature comes right after the news that WhatsApp will finally allow users to send self-destructing messages.
It means that any messages you designate to self-destruct will only remain visible for seven days. Very handy if you don’t want your comments to hang around forever.
The option to have messages delete themselves has been rumoured about since last November. Finally, WhatsApp made it official.
‘You can send messages that disappear on WhatsApp by enabling disappearing messages,’ WhatsApp said in an FAQ section on its website.
‘Once enabled, new messages sent in the individual or group chat will disappear after seven days. The most recent selection controls all messages in the chat. This setting won’t affect messages you previously sent or received in the chat.’
The setting is very easy to enable once it’s been rolled out – providing you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
How to enable self-destructing WhatsApp messages
Metro.co.uk checked WhatsApp on both iOS and Android and while the feature isn’t available yet, it is believed to be rolling out to users soon.
Once it’s here, the ability to self-destruct messages is simple to enable.
- To start, open WhatsApp and open the chat you want to enable them in.
- Tap on the contact’s name at the top of the window.
- You’ll see an option called Disappearing Messages.
- Tap it and, if prompted, tap Continue.
- Select on/off as required.
