How to delete files without losing chats on Android
Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu in the Chats tab. Go to Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage. The screen shows how much space WhatsApp uses, letting you review large files and media shared across conversations.
Select a chat or channel to review its files, which can be sorted by size. Choose unwanted photos, videos or documents and tap the delete option. You can also open an individual or group chat, tap its name and select Manage storage to review its media.
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To remove media from a particular conversation, open the chat, tap the three-dot menu, select More > Clear chat, and choose the option to delete media files. Review the selected categories before confirming, as this process can remove photos, videos, documents and audio without deleting the conversation itself. WhatsApp recommends backing up chats to a Google Account before deleting content.
How to clear media on iPhone
On an iPhone, open WhatsApp and tap your profile picture or Settings. Go to Storage and data > Manage storage to check how much space the app uses. Select a conversation to review its media and remove files you no longer need. You can also manage storage from an individual chat by tapping the contact or group name.
Before deleting anything, back up your chats. Files removed from WhatsApp may still exist in your phone's Photos app or elsewhere on the device, so check for separate copies if you want to keep them.
Whether you use Android or an iPhone, you can easily free up WhatsApp storage without deleting entire conversations. Always review large files first to avoid accidentally removing important media.