How to save a photo from WhatsApp

Learn how to save photos received on WhatsApp to your iPhone's photo library.

Easy 5 steps iPhone ~8 min February 23, 2026
How to save a photo from WhatsApp

What you will learn

In this guide, you will learn how to save a photo that someone sent you on WhatsApp to your iPhone. Once saved, the photo will be in your Photos app and you can view, share, or print it anytime.

What you need

  • An iPhone with WhatsApp installed
  • A photo received in a WhatsApp conversation

The steps

Step 1: Open WhatsApp

Tap the green WhatsApp icon on your home screen to open the app.

Step 2: Open the conversation

Find the conversation that contains the photo you want to save. Tap on the person’s name to open the chat.

Step 3: Find the photo

Scroll through the conversation until you find the photo you want to save. Tap on the photo to open it in full screen.

Step 4: Tap the share button

In the bottom left corner of the screen, tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up).

Step 5: Tap Save

In the menu that appears, tap “Save”. The photo will be saved to your iPhone’s Photos app. You will find it in the “Recents” album.

Helpful tips

  • Automatic saving: You can turn on automatic saving so all WhatsApp photos save to your phone. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > turn on “Save to Camera Roll”. Be aware this saves all photos and may use storage.
  • Storage space: If you receive many photos, they can fill up your phone’s storage. Check your storage regularly in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
  • Photo quality: Photos saved from WhatsApp are slightly compressed. If you need the full quality version, ask the person to send it as a document instead of a photo.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the saved photo stored?

The photo is saved in your Photos app. You can find it in the Recents album or the WhatsApp album.

Can I save multiple photos at once?

If someone sent multiple photos in a group, you can tap to open them, then save each one individually using the same steps.

Does saving a photo send a notification to the person who sent it?

No. The other person will not know that you saved their photo.

What about videos?

The same steps work for saving videos from WhatsApp. Just tap and hold the video instead of the photo.

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