About the Media library

The Media library is where your workspace's pictures, videos and PDFs live so you can use the same file in more than one place without uploading it again.

What's in it

Not everything here was uploaded by hand, so the library separates where files came from:

• Uploads — what you and your team added.
• Template samples — the examples sent with WhatsApp templates for approval.
• Bot images — pictures your bot made, such as order summaries and cards.
• System media — everything the product created rather than you.
• All media — the lot, including files that arrived on incoming messages.

Each filter shows how many files it holds, so you can see at a glance what's taking up room.

What the numbers mean

Four figures sit above the list:

• Storage used — everything your workspace stores, against your plan's limit.
• Media items — how many files are in the library right now.
• In trash — how many you've deleted, and how much they'd take back if you restored them.
• Library size — what the whole library comes to, whichever filter you're on.

Storage counts more than this page. Your Catalog's documents and the files sent and received in conversations count too, which is why storage used is usually the larger number.

We warn you as you get close: a note appears at 80% of your limit, a stronger one at 90%, and a clear one once you're over. Going over doesn't delete anything — it stops the next upload.

Files that clear themselves

Pictures your bot generates are working artefacts, not a library you curate, so anything older than 30 days is moved to trash overnight. Your own uploads are never touched.

Trash and Clear chat

Moving a file to Media library trash keeps it available to restore. Permanent deletion from the library is blocked pending a retention review; ask your compliance contact if you need files removed permanently. See Delete and restore media.

Clear chat in Inbox is a separate action: it hides the messages and permanently deletes the files shared in that chat. Media library trash does not protect those conversation files. Save the files you need and export the thread before clearing. The customer's copy on their phone is unaffected, and Inbox cannot undo the clear. See Work a conversation.

Who can use it

Anyone who can work with templates, campaigns, the Inbox or your Catalog can see the library, and anyone who can create in one of those can add to it. Moving files to trash and restoring them is kept to people who work on templates or campaigns. Permanent deletion remains blocked pending a retention review.

Related

• Upload and reuse media
• Delete and restore media
• Create a message template
• Create a campaign