WhatsApp now lets you choose photo and video download quality
What's the story
WhatsApp has started rolling out a new feature in its latest beta update for iOS, version 25.29.10.71. The update was released through the TestFlight beta program and brings an important addition: the ability to choose the quality of downloaded photos and videos. This feature is currently being made available to select beta testers but is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks.
User control
Balancing data efficiency and visual fidelity
The new feature gives users more control over their media experience by letting them choose how incoming media is automatically downloaded. With the option to select quality, users can now choose between data efficiency and visual fidelity depending on their needs or network conditions. This update shows WhatsApp's commitment to optimizing media management, giving users more flexibility in balancing storage usage, data consumption, and viewing quality.
Feature access
How to enable this feature
The option to change media download quality is available under the "Storage and Data" section in the app settings. Once activated, a new "Auto-download quality" option appears, giving users more control over how incoming photos and videos are downloaded and managed. From this menu, users can choose between two options: standard quality or HD quality.
Media management
How does it work?
When a sender uploads an HD photo or video, WhatsApp creates both a standard and an HD version of the media file. Due to end-to-end encryption, the app can't compress or modify files directly on the server, so both versions must be uploaded by the sender. The recipient's app then automatically downloads the version that matches their chosen setting. This dual-system approach allows WhatsApp to maintain user privacy without compromising flexibility.
Size display
File size comparison for media
WhatsApp is also introducing a feature that shows the file size of shared photos and videos directly within the chat screen. When both versions of the same media (standard and HD) appear in a conversation, tapping the HD icon opens an overview showing the exact file size in megabytes for each version. This allows users to easily compare data usage and resolution of each media file after it has been sent or received.