WhatsApp Transfer: 3 Methods to Move WhatsApp Media to SD Card
For the people who like to contact with others via WhatsApp, there must be many pictures and videos on their mobile phones. And it is no doubt that these files would take up a lot of space of the device, which would cause some inconvenience or phone issues sometimes. So, to better use WhatsApp and make room for new files, users can choose to move WhatsApp media to SD card.
Method 1. Traditional Way to Move WhatsApp Media to SD Card
You can select a traditional way to move WhatsApp media files to SD card- simply transfer the files from one device to another. Normally, users would choose computer as the medium. Namely copying the media files on the phone and pasting it to the computer. And then you need to move them from computer to SD card. But to complete the transferring process, you need a SD card reader.
Step 1. First of all, you need to use a USB cable to connect your phone to computer and let the PC detect the connected device.
Step 2. After the detection, you can double click on the icon of My Computer and find out your phone device in this section. Then just tap on your device.
Step 3. Next, go to the internal memory folder and look for the WhatsApp file.
Step 4. Now you can simply copy the folder on your internal memory and then paste it on computer. Then, you can delete the original WhatsApp data from the internal memory to free up the device.
Step 5. Finally, you need to insert the SD card into a card reader and plug it to your computer. And once again, just copy and paste the files to the SD card easily.
That's it! You can see that the whole moving process is completed by copying and pasting. It is easy to learn so you can have a try.
Some Android phones allow users to set a default storage location for apps, which can automatically redirect WhatsApp media to the SD card. To do this, go to Settings > Storage > Default Location, and choose the SD card as the primary storage for new media files. Once enabled, all photos, videos, and voice messages received in WhatsApp will be saved directly to the SD card instead of internal storage.
You can also read:
How to Update WhatsApp on Android? 2 Ways, 6 Problems, & Solutions
Method 2. Use ES File Explorer to Transfer WhatsApp Media to SD Card
But the first means is not always welcome since it is available only when you have a computer and card reader. Then is it possible to perform the transferring process on the device directly? Of course Yes! You can use a tool like ES File Explorer to help you move the media files from WhatsApp to SD card. This would be move convenient and time-saving.
Step 1. Download the software ES File Explorer from Google Play and install it on your phone by following the instructions.
Step 2. Launch the application and open the internal storage files.
Step 3. Then all the files that are stored in the internal storage will be listed. Just choose WhatsApp from the list and open it.
Step 4. Find out the Media file from the WhatsApp folder and cut it.
Step 5. At last, just create a new folder on your SD card named WhatsApp. Then open the new folder and paste the media files to it. Done! Your WhatsApp data is saved in SD card now and you can use them freely.
You May Also Need: Top 12 Best ES File Explorer Alternatives [Expert's Advice]
Method 3. Use Google Drive to Transfer WhatsApp Media to SD Card
Backing up and transferring WhatsApp media to an SD card helps free up internal storage while keeping your important photos and videos safe. Using Google Drive makes it easy to ensure that all media is backed up before moving it. The following steps show a simple way to download and transfer WhatsApp files from Google Drive to your SD card. Here's how to use it:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and back up media to Google Drive.
- Access Google Drive on a computer or phone using the same account.
- Download the WhatsApp photos and videos from the backup.
- Copy or move the downloaded files to your SD card.
- Check File Manager > SD Card > WhatsApp Media to confirm the transfer.
FAQs about Moving Media to SD Card
Q1. Will moving files to an SD card delete them from the phone?
No, when you move files, they are transferred from internal storage to the SD card, not permanently deleted.
Q2. Does moving media to an SD card affect app performance?
Generally, it doesn't affect app performance, but accessing media from an SD card may be slightly slower than internal storage.
Q3. What types of media can be moved to an SD card?
Photos, videos, audio files, documents, and WhatsApp media can all be moved to an SD card.
Q4. Is it safe to move sensitive files to an SD card?
Yes, but make sure to safely eject the SD card and avoid using untrusted devices to prevent data loss.
Q5. Will moving media to an SD card free up enough space for app updates?
Yes, transferring large media files to an SD card can free internal storage, making room for app updates, system files, and smoother performance.
Q6. Can I move all WhatsApp chats along with media to the SD card?
No, only media files like photos, videos, and audio can be moved. Chat messages remain in WhatsApp's internal storage or cloud backup.
Q7. Will moving media to an SD card affect WhatsApp backups?
No, WhatsApp backups to Google Drive or OneDrive are independent of where the media is stored on your phone.
Q8. Can I schedule automatic transfers of media to the SD card?
Most phones don't support automatic transfers natively, but third-party apps or backup tools can schedule regular media moves.
Q9. Can I move media from multiple apps at once to the SD card?
Yes, using File Manager or third-party transfer apps, you can select multiple app folders and move all media files simultaneously.
Related Articles:
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How to Access WhatsApp Backup on Local, Google Drive, iCloud, etc.?
