WhatsApp reveals eight simple things every Android and iPhone user needs to do TODAY.

you spend hours chatting on WhatsApp every day, you might be wise to check out the latest tips and tricks from the popular messaging service. The Facebook-owned company just posted eight useful things every user should know if they want their chats to run smoothly and without clutter.

This digital spring cleaning includes removing storage, deleting old group chats, and ensuring the app doesn’t eat into your monthly data allowance. There are also a few tips on how to keep your chat app up to date and your messages safe from prying eyes.

“This means that no one else can read them, not even WhatsApp. But WhatsApp also offers a host of optional settings to help you control the privacy and security of your account, like two-factor authentication. recommend a digital spring cleaning, not only to free up storage space, but also as an opportunity to ensure that you are in control of your privacy and security.”
 

HERE ARE EIGHT TIPS FROM WHATSAPP

• Empty your storage space:  Don’t let the media clog your memory. Use WhatsApp’s “Manage Storage” feature to review and delete items over 5MB, and check individual chats to see how much storage they are using. You can also quickly archive, erase and delete all your chats with just a few clicks, just go to the Discussions section of your settings.

 

• Protect your phone’s memory:  Want to stop automatically saving photos and videos to your camera roll and fill your phone memory? Head to the Chats section in your settings and turn off the ‘Save to Camera Roll’ button.

 

• Protect your data plan:  Help reduce the data you use on WhatsApp by customizing your automatic download settings, which gives you control over when and if you download files and media. Head to “Storage & Data” in your settings, then choose whether photos, audio, video, and documents can be downloaded automatically with Wi-Fi, Data, and Wi-Fi or never (which means none will be downloaded until you select them).

 

• Exit, deactivate or archive unwanted groups:
  Are you part of group chats that you no longer enjoy? You can quickly and easily leave groups, or choose to deactivate or archive those you don’t want to hear about at the moment. Open group chat, tap the group topic and scroll down to see the option to “Leave group” or “Mute”. Otherwise, press and hold the group in the Chats tab, and then tap “Leave group” or “Archive”.

 

• Activate the disappearing messages:  Enabling Disappeared Messages will remove all new messages from a chat after seven days, giving you the peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent. Just open the chat, tap the contact’s name, scroll down to see the “Missing Messages” option, and select On.

 

• Update your privacy settings:  You control who can see your read receipts, last seen, About, and profile picture. Head to Account in Settings, then tap Privacy, and you can change any of them to be seen by everyone, just your contacts, or no one at all – it’s all up to you.

 

• Block unwanted users:  It’s quick and easy to block someone on WhatsApp. Go to your privacy settings, tap block, then add contacts or the unknown number you want to block.

 

• Configure two-step verification:  Want to add an extra layer of security? Two-step verification is an optional feature that adds more security to your WhatsApp account. To turn it on, open Settings, tap Account & two-step verification, then tap “ Activate ” and set a pin. When you turn on two-step verification, you also have the option to enter your email address, which allows WhatsApp to email you a reset link in case you forget your PIN, and also helps to protect your account.

 
The original version of this post was written by David Snelling in Sun, Mar 21, 2021. I wanted to make sure David received at least some credit for his work, as the original was FANTASTIC.