# Get a full-size picture in the response
When working with our API to receive messages containing images, you might notice that initially, only the preview information of the image is included in the response. This guide will help you understand how to retrieve the original, full-size images using two different methods.
#### **Receiving Image Preview in the Response**
When an image message is received, the initial response and callback include only the preview data. Here’s an example of such a response:
{
"id": "yRz1.VbdOFCdSWFGDPEYDg-gNEIDpL.CQ",
"from_me": false,
"type": "image",
"chat_id": "919984351847@s.whatsapp.net",
"timestamp": 1719323789,
"source": "mobile",
"image": {
"id": "jpeg-c91cf5f956dd38509d4961460cf1180e-80d1080e92fe09",
"mime_type": "image/jpeg",
"file_size": 25950,
"sha256": "IKc25C+1fi7Q5+k4Pejd4+t+022TLlu94wkFQv0X5+Y=",
"caption": "Hello world",
"width": 356,
"height": 366,
"preview": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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"
},
"from": "919984351847",
"from_name": "Jonathan"
},
### **1.** Automatically extract the original image or file into a link
#### **Enable "Auto Download" Setting**
By enabling the "Auto Download" setting in your channel settings, you can receive a link to the original image or file directly in the response. This link will be accessible for 30 days as we store these files in the cloud. To enable this setting, please follow the instructions provided here: [Setting "Auto Download"](/help-desk/account/setting-auto-download.md)
**Example Response with Auto Download Enabled**
{
"id": "YLO7_qNlFMsjIEZ1m7Lmxg-gFcIDpL.CQ",
"from_me": false,
"type": "image",
"chat_id": "919984351847@s.whatsapp.net",
"timestamp": 1719324086,
"source": "mobile",
"image": {
"id": "jpeg-60b3bbfea3652046759bb14cb232e6c6-8057080e92fe09",
"mime_type": "image/jpeg",
"file_size": 41490,
"sha256": "NYegMy3NmhxO4oKgi7qlMy/8p9zqcGU4Gtgu3l8bTAg=",
"link": "https://s3.eu-central-1.wasabisys.com/in-files/919984351847/jpeg-60b3bbfea3652046759bb14cb232e6c6-8057080e92fe09.jpeg",
"caption": "Hello",
"width": 1050,
"height": 700,
"preview": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEABsbGxscGx4hIR4qLSgtKj04MzM4PV1CR0JHQl2NWGdYWGdYjX2Xe3N7l33gsJycsOD/2c7Z//////////////8BGxsbGxwbHiEhHiotKC0qPTgzMzg9XUJHQkdCXY1YZ1hYZ1iNfZd7c3uXfeCwnJyw4P/Zztn////////////////CABEIACwAQgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAwAAACAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBQACBAEGAQADAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMBBP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAYhaeV5el3szm1ezgTE+9H6GddktFlxG0DVlTsHXlow8uyqGxd6WwRjJOmqO7BzZrbLVQFwLcFDdcWQb/xAAlEAACAgECBQUBAAAAAAAAAAABAgADEQQSBRAhMVETFCJBQmH/2gAIAQEAAT8AGirAyXMFemazYLjuMq0S0tkMYTyJwCY+oZ2bJ6ZnD1yWabYV3KQZqgdLfkfRlF4vqVxz1BxS8YPX37Th/SkGZj2bO4nEwuoQMgO4ThpvoJV0O2JYW/JhJmtsYIABPk5G4YErFgACg4mLvBhs8whX+WIrHJENmPMLuf0YNPbYAd8GjbyDFXaBiZaFyRPUtAwD0i22eRFvP3C5PYw/0wWMPueuwnuliEkcgOXbtFYmGMZvM//EABsRAAIDAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAQIhURIT/9oACAECAQE/AIpXghE0UiIvo3qEXr6PnHZIwZo5NP/EAB0RAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhESIRMiUWL/2gAIAQMBAT8AU5NPsxv0THK4stmFIZbITo5flEtjRoSRjE//2Q=="
},
"from": "919984351847",
"from_name": "Jonathan"
}
An additional `link` parameter appears, which stores a link to the original file.
### 2. Retrieve Original Image/File via Get Media Endpoint
When your webhook receives an incoming message that includes a file, you'll see a field such as `document.id`, `image.id`, or `video.id`. This is the `Media ID` — a unique identifier of the file stored temporarily on the WhatsApp server.
Remember that you can get information about the message not only from the webhook, but also by executing the HTTP request [“Get message”](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/getmessage).
Let's see what this Media ID looks like using the example of an incoming message webhook:
"image": {
"id": "jpeg-c91cf5f956dd38509d4961460cf1180e-80d1080e92fe09",
**Example of Using the Get Media Endpoint**
First, make a GET request to the endpoint with the `media ID` received in the initial response:
**Endpoint:** `GET /media/{media-id}`
In the case of our example, the media id is `jpeg-60b3bbfea3652046759bb14cb232e6c6-8057080e92fe09`
```bash
curl --request GET \
--url https://gate.whapi.cloud/media/jpeg-60b3bbfea3652046759bb14cb232e6c6-8057080e92fe09 \
--header 'accept: application/pdf' \
--header 'authorization: Bearer iwpVwcco2bBdvShV4sbzBNB1BDCXPmcs'
```
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important Notes: The response body contains the actual file, not just a URL!**
What does this mean?
\
It means that services such as Readme.io and other visual test shells will not allow you to save the file when you make a request.
Use Postman or your IDE to save the file from the response body.
{% endhint %}
***
If you need any help, our support team is always available via live chat on any dashboard page or via email at [care@whapi.cloud](mailto:undefined).
[^1]: This is a media identifier (Media ID) that you may need.
[^2]: A link to your file that will be available for 30 days
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://support.whapi.cloud/help-desk/receiving/http-api/get-a-full-size-picture-in-the-response.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.