It doesn’t fail: just have a mobile phone with limited space for WhatsApp to end up crashing it. Or worse, there is a greater risk of being scammed given the huge volume of scams in the messaging app. That’s why we recommend take extreme precautions. And there is a button that will help you a lot in this task.
The different configurations of the star instant messaging application allow us to use it in countless ways. Even against us, since WhatsApp leaves a series of default settings which open the door to various problems. Privacy, space and even security. It is convenient to adapt the application exactly to our needs.
Turn off automatic downloads. Your WhatsApp and you will enjoy it
If you turn off auto-download, WhatsApp will not download files they send you
This is not the first time we talk about the automatic download system in WhatsApp, and it surely won’t be the last: This has too many implications for your Android. Because, since you are part of groups that keep sending files, sooner or later you will run out of space on your phone. Not only that, it also increases the risk of falling for a scam.
By default, WhatsApp leaves automatic attachment downloading active whenever your Android is connected to a WiFi network. This means that photos, videos, documents or APK files sent to you They will be downloaded to your phone without you realizing it. So, to avoid problems, we recommend you to take control of your phone.
The advantage of manually managing downloads is twofold:
- Your cell phone won’t run out of space. WhatsApp is the app that consumes the most storage on your entire phone, precisely because it allows you to download everything that is sent in your conversations. Add private chats, groups and much more: the potential volume of space occupied is enormous.
- There is less risk of receiving infected files. If the number is unknown, WhatsApp will not download the files you send, whether automatic download is enabled or not, but everything changes when you have already spoken to this person before. If it turns out that he has malicious intentions and sends you a file containing malware, there is a greater chance that you can accidentally run it.
Even if automatic file download is enabled, WhatsApp will not run any malware it sends you. To get infected, you must open the attachment manually
It is true that there is a greater risk of falling into scams by activating automatic downloading, but this does not mean that WhatsApp leaves the door wide open to infections: Basically there is no risk if you don’t open what they sent you
Process to disable automatic downloads in WhatsApp
How to turn off WhatsApp automatic downloads? Just follow the following process:
- Go to WhatsApp settings, in the first three points of the menu.
- Select “Storage and data”.
- Enter “Download using mobile data” and uncheck all boxes.
- Go to “Download with WiFi” and do the same: uncheck all boxes.
Once this is done, the file they share with you will appear in the chats with an arrow to lower it: You will choose what to download and what not. Our recommendation is to only download attachments from contacts you really trust. And ignore most files shared in majority groups: your Android will appreciate it.
In the long run, so will you.
Cover image | Ivan Linares
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