Short answerIn WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chats and turn off Save to Photos. You can also turn it off per chat in the chat's info screen. In Telegram, go to Settings → Data and Storage → Save to Photos and turn it off. Then remove photos that were already saved.
- All chats: Settings → Chats → turn off Save to Photos.
- One chat: open the chat → tap the name → Save to Photos → Never.
Telegram
Settings → Data and Storage → Save to Photos → turn off for private chats, groups and channels.
Signal
Signal doesn't save media to Photos unless you save it manually.
Clean up what's already there
- Look for a WhatsApp or Telegram album in Photos.
- Move anything private into your vault. VaultBolt's on-device scan finds private photos wherever they came from.
- Delete the originals and empty Recently Deleted.
- If iCloud Photos is on, check your other devices once the deletion syncs.
Frequently asked questions
Does WhatsApp save view-once photos?
View-once media is not saved to Photos, but the recipient can still photograph the screen.
How do I find photos chat apps already saved?
In Photos, check the WhatsApp or Telegram album if one exists, or browse Recents around the dates you received them. VaultBolt's scan also finds private photos regardless of where they came from.
