**WhatsApp Now Lets You Choose Photo and Video Download Quality**

*By Akash Pandey | Oct 11, 2025, 01:52 PM*

WhatsApp has started rolling out a new feature in its latest beta update for iOS, version 25.29.10.71, released through the TestFlight beta program. This update introduces an important addition: the ability to choose the quality of downloaded photos and videos.

Currently available to select beta testers, this feature is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks, enhancing how media is managed on the platform.

### More Control Over Media Downloads

The new feature empowers users to take control of their media experience by allowing them to select the quality at which incoming photos and videos are automatically downloaded. Depending on individual needs or network conditions, users can now balance between data efficiency and visual fidelity.

This update highlights WhatsApp’s commitment to optimizing media management, offering more flexibility when it comes to balancing storage usage, data consumption, and viewing quality.

### How to Enable the Feature

To access this new option, navigate to the **Storage and Data** section in WhatsApp’s app settings. Once activated, a new **Auto-download quality** setting appears, allowing users to choose how incoming photos and videos are downloaded and managed.

Within this menu, you can select between two options:
– **Standard Quality**
– **HD Quality**

### How It Works

When a sender uploads an HD photo or video, WhatsApp creates and uploads both a standard and an HD version of the media file. Due to end-to-end encryption, the app cannot compress or modify files directly on its servers. Therefore, both versions are uploaded by the sender.

The recipient’s app then automatically downloads the version that corresponds with their chosen quality setting. This dual-version system maintains user privacy without sacrificing flexibility in media quality.

### File Size Display for Media

WhatsApp is also introducing a feature that displays the file size of shared photos and videos within the chat screen. When both standard and HD versions of a media file exist in a conversation, tapping the HD icon brings up an overview showing the exact size—in megabytes—of each version.

This convenient addition makes it easier for users to compare data usage and resolution of media files after sending or receiving them.

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With this update, WhatsApp continues to enhance user experience by giving more control over how media is consumed, balancing quality and data efficiency seamlessly. Keep an eye out as this feature rolls out to more users in the near future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/whatsapp-now-lets-users-choose-quality-for-photo-video-downloads/story