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WhatsApp for Android Said to Be Testing Auto Download Quality for Photos and Videos

WhatsApp for Android Said to Be Testing Auto-Download Quality for Photos and Videos

Users may be able to select between Standard quality and HD option on WhatsApp.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 9 June 2025 11:59 IST

WhatsApp for Android Said to Be Testing Auto-Download Quality for Photos and Videos

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Mika Baumeister

Users can already select default media upload quality on WhatsApp

Highlights

The feature is reported in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.25.18.11
It is said to allow users to choose between Standard and HD media quality
WhatsApp also tested similar functionality for its iOS app in April

WhatsApp is said to be developing a new feature for its Android app which provides users with more control over the quality of media that is automatically downloaded on their devices. According to information shared by a feature tracker, the instant messaging platform may allow them to select between standard or high-definition (HD) quality settings. The new option was discovered in a beta version of the Android app and is reported to be available to some beta users.

Media Auto-Download Quality on WhatsApp

According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, Meta Platforms' instant messaging client is developing the feature for release on a future version of the app. It was reportedly discovered in WhatsApp Beta for Android app version 2.25.18.11, which has been designated as a compatible update.

Once it is rolled out, a new Auto-download quality option will appear in WhatsApp settings. It can be found by navigating to Settings > Storage and data > Auto-download quality. Users can then select between the Standard quality or HD quality options for photos and videos that will automatically be downloaded on their device via a pop up menu.

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The feature is said to be currently available to some beta testers on Android
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

As per the feature tracker, the Standard quality option compresses the media to reduce file size. It is said to be more efficient, occupies less space, and results in faster downloads. On the other hand, the HD setting reportedly preserves the detail and the resolution of the image but trades it off for more data required for download as well as more space on the drive.

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If the media auto-download quality is set to standard, WhatsApp for Android is said to automatically fetch the smaller, compressed file by default. However, recipients may still be able to retrieve the HD version of the image or video by manually viewing the media file on the app.

This capability builds upon the dual-upload feature that was recently introduced on WhatsApp. When the sender uploads a file, both standard and HD versions are uploaded on WhatsApp servers since compression cannot take place on the server-level. However, only one quality of the media file selected by the recipient is downloaded on their device.

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WABetaInfo reports that the media auto-download quality feature is available to some beta testers registered via the Google Play Beta programme. It is expected to be rolled out to more users over the coming weeks. Notably, Meta's instant messaging client was said to be testing similar capabilities for its iOS counterpart in April but it is yet to be introduced.

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Further reading: WhatsApp, WhatsApp for Andriod, WABetaInfo, WhatsApp Beta

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More