How to Access and View the Content of the Hidden .Links Folder in WhatsApp

WhatsApp, along with its Business variant, is more than just a messaging app; it stores a variety of data in hidden directories. One such directory is the .Links folder, which contains thumbnail previews of the links you’ve shared or received. However, these files don’t come with an image extension, making them difficult to view directly. This guide will show you how to access and view these hidden thumbnails on Android, iPhone, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Understanding the WhatsApp Directory Structure

Before diving into the methods, it’s important to know where the .Links folder is located on your device:

• WhatsApp on Android Devices (Old Version):
  /WhatsApp/Media/.Links/
• WhatsApp on Android Devices (New Version):
  /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/.Links/
• WhatsApp Business on Android Devices (Old Version):
  /WhatsApp Business/Media/.Links/
• WhatsApp Business on Android Devices (New Version):
  /Android/media/com.whatsapp.w4b/WhatsApp Business/Media/.Links/
• WhatsApp on iPhone (iOS):
  On iOS, the .Links folder is less accessible due to iOS’s strict file management system. You may need a third-party file manager or access the iPhone’s backup data on a computer to find it.

Method 1: Renaming Files Individually on Your Device

This method is simple and can be done directly on your device. It’s ideal for a small number of files.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open File Manager:
   On Android, use a built-in file manager (like Files by Google) or download one from the Play Store.
   On iPhone, use third-party apps like Documents by Readdle or FileApp, or access the backup on your computer.
2. Navigate to the WhatsApp Directory:
   For Android users, follow the paths mentioned above to find the .Links folder.
   For iPhone users, use the file manager app to navigate to the appropriate folder.
3. Locate the Thumbnails:
   Inside the .Links folder, you’ll find files without an extension. These are the thumbnail previews.
4. Rename the Files:
   Select a file and rename it by adding .png at the end. For example, change file to file.png.
   Open the file, and it should display as an image.

Pros:
Quick and simple.
No need for additional devices or software.

Cons:
Time-consuming for multiple files.
Requires manual effort for each file.

Method 2: Renaming Files in Bulk Using a PC or Laptop

For bulk renaming, the most efficient method is using a PC or laptop. Here’s how you can do it on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

For Windows Users

1. Connect Your Device:
   Use a USB cable to connect your mobile device to your Windows PC.
2. Transfer the .Links Folder:
   Open your device in File Explorer, navigate to the WhatsApp directory, and copy the .Links folder to your computer.
3. Open Command Prompt:
   Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
   Use the cd command to navigate to the .Links folder on your PC.

cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\LinksFolder

4. Rename Files in Bulk:
   Run the following command:

for %f in (*) do ren "%f" "%f.png"

Now, all files will have the .png extension, and you can view them as images.

Pros:
Efficient for bulk renaming.
Quick execution using a simple command.

Cons:
Requires a PC or laptop.
Involves transferring files.

For macOS Users

1. Connect Your Device:
   Connect your mobile device to your Mac using a USB cable.
2. Transfer the .Links Folder:
   Navigate to the WhatsApp directory on your device and copy the .Links folder to your Mac.
3. Open Terminal:
   Open Terminal from the Applications folder or using Spotlight (Cmd + Space, then type “Terminal”).
4. Navigate to the .Links Folder:
   Use the cd command to move to the .Links folder.

cd ~/Desktop/LinksFolder

5. Rename Files in Bulk:
   Run the following command:

for f in *; do mv "$f" "$f.png"; done

Now, you can open the files using Preview or any other image viewer.

Pros:
Fast and efficient for multiple files.
Mac’s Terminal is user-friendly for command-line tasks.

Cons:
Requires access to a Mac.
Initial setup of Terminal navigation may be tricky for beginners.

For Linux Users

1. Connect Your Device:
   Connect your mobile device to your Linux computer with a USB cable.
2. Transfer the .Links Folder:
   Copy the .Links folder from your device to your Linux system.
3. Open Terminal:
   Open Terminal from your application menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
4. Navigate to the .Links Folder:
   Use the cd command to move to the .Links folder.

cd ~/Desktop/LinksFolder

5. Rename Files in Bulk:
   Run the following command:

for f in *; do mv "$f" "$f.png"; done

The files will now be viewable as images.

Pros:
Bulk processing is efficient.
Linux Terminal offers powerful scripting capabilities.

Cons:
Requires familiarity with Linux commands.
File transfer between devices might require additional steps.

Method 3: Accessing the .Links Folder on iPhone (iOS)

Accessing the .Links folder on an iPhone can be more challenging due to iOS’s strict file management system. However, it’s possible with the right tools.

Using a Third-Party App:

1. Install a File Manager:
   Use apps like Documents by Readdle or FileApp to browse hidden directories.
2. Navigate to WhatsApp’s Data:
   Access the file system and locate the WhatsApp directory. The path may not be as straightforward as on Android, so you might need to search through the app’s internal storage sections.
3. Locate and Rename Files:
   Find the .Links folder and rename the files by adding the .png extension.

Pros:
Possible without a computer.
Utilizes readily available apps.

Cons:
Limited access due to iOS restrictions.
May require a paid app for full access to hidden folders.

Using iTunes Backup:

1. Backup iPhone:
   Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac and back it up using iTunes.
2. Extract the Backup:
   Use backup extraction tools like iMazing or iExplorer to access WhatsApp’s directory within the backup.
3. Find and Rename Files:
   Navigate to the .Links folder and rename the files by adding .png.

Pros:
Allows deeper access to iPhone’s files.
Works well for bulk file management.

Cons:
Requires a PC or Mac.
Involves multiple steps, including backing up and extracting.

Conclusion

Viewing the content of the hidden .Links folder in WhatsApp requires some extra effort, especially depending on your device. Whether you choose to rename files individually on your mobile device, perform bulk renaming on a computer, or use specialized tools for iOS, each method has its pros and cons. By following these steps, you can easily view the thumbnails of links shared on WhatsApp, gaining better access to the media stored on your device.