Archive chats on WhatsApp

Do you want to move a conversation out of your regular chat list without deleting it? Then you can archive a chat on WhatsApp. All messages and media are kept. You can open the chat again later and move it back. Archiving is therefore especially useful if you want to keep your chat list calm and organized.

In this guide, you will learn where to find archived chats and how to archive conversations on iPhone, Android, WhatsApp Web, and the desktop app. We also explain what happens with new messages, notifications, photos, videos, and older messages. That way, you will know exactly what archiving does and does not do.

What happens when you archive a chat on WhatsApp?

An archived chat disappears from your regular list of conversations. WhatsApp moves the conversation to the Archived folder. The full chat is kept. That includes text messages, photos, videos, documents, links, and voice messages that are already in the conversation.

You can use this feature for an old project, a temporary group, or a conversation you may need again later. The Archived folder works like a separate section in your chat list. So you do not have to choose between keeping everything visible and deleting the entire conversation. That makes archiving especially useful if you have many contacts, business chats, or groups.

The other person does not get a notification when you archive a chat. They also cannot see that the conversation is in your Archived folder. Nothing changes for the other participant. You can still send and receive messages.

Archiving is different from deleting. When you delete, you really remove a chat or message from your device. Depending on the option you choose, a deleted message may disappear only for you or also for other participants. Want to know more? Read how to edit a sent WhatsApp message.

Archiving is also not the same as muting. A muted chat can still stay in your main list. Only notifications are limited. An archived chat is mainly moved out of your regular overview. The Keep chats archived setting then decides whether the conversation stays there when a new message arrives.

You can think of archiving as tidying up without throwing anything away. The conversation stays available and still appears in WhatsApp search results. You can view it, reply to it, or unarchive it at any time.

Where do you find archived chats in WhatsApp?

Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab. Above or below your conversations, you will see the Archived folder. The exact location can differ depending on the version and device. Tap or click this folder to view all archived conversations.

Do not see the folder right away? First check whether you actually archived a chat. Then use WhatsApp search. Search for the name of the person, the group, or a word from the conversation. An archived chat can still appear in the search results.

On some phones, Archived appears at the top of the chat list. On other versions, you need to scroll a little up or down first. WhatsApp sometimes changes the app layout. The archive function still works the same.

The table below shows the fastest route by device.

How do you archive a chat on an iPhone?

1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
2. Tap Chats at the bottom.
3. Find the conversation you want to tidy up.
4. Swipe the chat slowly from right to left.
5. Tap Archive.

The conversation immediately disappears from your regular list and is moved to Archived. You do not need to open the chat first. The content remains fully available.

Want to archive multiple conversations at once? Then tap Edit in the chat list. Select the conversations you want and choose Archive. The name and location of a button can differ slightly if you use another language or WhatsApp version.

You can also archive all chats at once. To do this, go to Settings, choose Chats, and look for the option to archive all chats. Use this carefully. You do not delete anything, but your regular chat list may suddenly look empty. That can be confusing if you later need a specific conversation.

After archiving, check whether the Archived folder is visible. Open the folder and see whether the right conversation is inside. Did you choose the wrong chat by mistake? Then you can immediately unarchive it.

How do you archive a chat on Android?

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Chats.
2. Press and hold the chat you want.
3. Wait until a check mark appears next to the chat.
4. Tap the box with an arrow icon at the top.
5. Check whether WhatsApp says the chat has been archived.

To archive multiple chats, first press and hold one conversation. Then tap the other conversations you also want to select. Only after that should you tap the archive icon. This lets you clean up a long chat list quickly.

Want to archive all conversations? Open the menu with the three dots. Go to Settings and then Chats. Look there for the chat history option. The exact wording can vary by version. Read the confirmation carefully before you continue.

Keep in mind that on some Android devices, the archive icon is small. Do not see it? Then check whether you really selected the chat. There should usually be a check mark or colored highlight next to the conversation.

When you tap a chat briefly, WhatsApp opens the conversation. When you press and hold the chat longer, you get the options to select, mute, delete, or archive it.

How do you archive conversations on WhatsApp Web and desktop?

On a computer, archiving works almost the same way. Open WhatsApp Web or the desktop app. Hover your mouse over the chat. Open the menu next to the name and choose Archive chat. In some versions, you can also right-click the conversation and then choose Archive.

The change is usually synced with your linked devices. If you archive a conversation on the computer, it will usually also appear in Archived on your phone. Give the devices a little time if a change is not visible right away. Also check whether both devices have an internet connection.

A linked device may show a slightly different layout. So pay attention to the function name, not only to a fixed icon. WhatsApp sometimes changes menus during an update.

Still seeing the chat on your phone after archiving it on the computer? Then do not close WhatsApp right away. Wait a moment and refresh WhatsApp Web. On your phone, open the Chats tab again. Then check whether the linked session is still active.

Archiving on the computer does not remove local files you downloaded earlier. A photo or document already saved in your computer’s download folder will stay there. Moving a conversation and deleting files are separate actions.

How do you unarchive a WhatsApp chat?

Open the Archived folder and find the conversation you want to restore. On iPhone, swipe the chat to the left and choose Unarchive. On Android, press and hold the chat and tap the icon at the top to remove the chat from the archive. On desktop, open the menu for the chat and choose Unarchive.

The chat then returns to your regular chat list. Its position in that list usually depends on the date of the last message. An old conversation may therefore appear lower in the list than you expect.

Can you not find the chat in the folder? Then use the search bar. Search for the name of the person, the group, or a recognizable word from the conversation. Open the result and check whether the menu contains an unarchive option.

All messages and media stay intact when you unarchive a chat. Nothing is sent again. The other person also does not get a notification that you restored the conversation.

Does a chat stay archived after a new message?

Whether a chat stays in the archive after a new message depends on the Keep chats archived setting. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. Choose Chats and then look for this setting.

When the feature is on, the conversation stays in the Archived folder when a new message arrives. You can still see new activity in the folder. This is useful for busy groups or conversations you want to keep out of your regular list on purpose.

When the feature is off, a chat may reappear in the regular list after a new message. That is useful when you do not want to miss anything important. It is less useful if you have many active groups that you are trying to keep out of your main list.

If you want, test the setting with a less important conversation. Archive the chat and let someone send a short message. That way, you can immediately see how your version of WhatsApp reacts. A small test is more reliable than relying on an old screenshot.

The setting usually applies to all archived chats. So you may not always be able to decide per conversation whether it should stay archived after a new message. If you want less distraction from one chat, you can combine archiving with muting.

Do you get notifications from an archived chat?

Archiving and notifications are two different settings. So do not expect archiving to work exactly like muting. Notifications can depend on your settings, the type of chat, and whether someone mentions you in a group or replies to your message.

Want to make sure you receive fewer notifications? Open the chat and check the settings for that conversation. Choose Mute and select a time period. Also check the notification settings of WhatsApp on your phone. The settings in iOS or Android can block notifications even when WhatsApp itself allows them.

Archiving is mainly meant for organization. Muting is meant for peace and quiet. Use both functions together when you want to hide a busy group from view and avoid normal notifications.

Also watch for exceptions in groups. A direct mention or a reply to your message may be handled differently than a regular group message. So check the group settings if you still receive notifications.

Is an archived chat hidden or protected?

An archived chat is not in your regular list, but it is not truly protected. Anyone who has access to your unlocked WhatsApp can open the Archived folder. So do not use archiving to protect sensitive or private conversations.

Want more protection? Look at Chat Lock. This lets you place a conversation behind your device passcode or biometric security. WhatsApp can also hide conversation details in notifications. This is a different feature with a different purpose.

Archiving does not change the security of your account. It does not add an extra password and it does not stop someone with access to your phone from opening the chat. So lock your phone and WhatsApp too if you want to protect your conversations better.

Your overall privacy also matters. Check who can see your profile photo, last seen, info, and status. If you prefer to share less read information, you can also disable blue check marks on WhatsApp.

What common problems can occur when archiving?

The chat keeps showing up again in the regular list

Check the Keep chats archived setting. Turn it on if you want new messages to keep the conversation from returning. Not working? Update WhatsApp through your device’s official app store. Close the app completely and open it again. Then check the same setting on your main device.

Also check whether you actually archived the conversation and did not just mute it. A muted chat still stays in the normal chat list.

The Archived folder is not visible anywhere

First archive one test conversation. Then go back to Chats and look near the top and bottom of the list. Also use the search function. Another app version may show the folder in a different place.

Also make sure you are on the correct tab. The folder appears under Chats, not under Updates, Communities, or Calls.

A conversation seems to have disappeared

Search first by name and look in Archived. Then check whether you are using the correct WhatsApp account. With multiple accounts or phone numbers, it is easy to look in the wrong chat list.

Do not delete the app if you are not sure whether a current backup exists. Removing and reinstalling WhatsApp can cause data loss if your chats are not saved properly.

The change does not appear on your computer

Check the internet connection on both devices. Open WhatsApp again on the phone and the computer. Also check Linked devices to see whether the session is still active. Synchronization can sometimes take a while.

Using an old version of the desktop app? Then update it. An outdated version may show menus differently or process changes more slowly.

You archived the wrong chat by mistake

Nothing has been deleted. Open Archived, select the chat, and choose Unarchive. All earlier messages, photos, videos, and documents are still there.

You cannot find the archive icon

Check that you are in the chat list and not inside the open conversation. On Android, you usually need to press and hold the chat. On iPhone, swipe the chat to the left. On WhatsApp Web, open the menu next to the conversation name.

What stays the same after you archive a chat?

The contents of the conversation stay in place. The other participant can keep sending messages. Your membership in a group does not change. Photos and videos that are already in the chat are not automatically removed from your device. Your privacy settings also stay the same.

Archiving does not free up storage space. Large videos and photos still take up space unless you delete them separately. Running low on storage? Open Manage Storage and see which media uses the most space. Decide per file what you want to keep. That way, you avoid deleting a full conversation when only a few large videos are the real problem.

The group settings also stay the same. You remain a member, and admins keep their existing rights. Archiving does not mean leaving a group. If you no longer want to take part, you need to leave the group separately.

Your status is a separate part of WhatsApp. Archiving a conversation does not affect who can see your status. It also does not change anything about screenshots of a status. Read more about that in our explanation of whether someone can see that you take a WhatsApp status screenshot.

What does change is the place of the chat. That can make your main list much calmer. This helps especially with old conversations, temporary projects, customer chats, and groups you do not need every day.

What questions are often asked about archiving chats on WhatsApp?

Where do I find the feature to archive a chat?

Go to Chats. On iPhone, swipe a conversation to the left. On Android, press and hold a conversation. On desktop, open the menu next to the chat. Then choose Archive.

Does archiving work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The feature exists on both systems. Only the way you select a chat is different. Your chat is usually also synced with linked devices.

Can I undo archiving later?

Yes. Open Archived and choose Unarchive. The conversation returns to your regular chat list, and the full content stays intact.

Why do I not see the Keep chats archived option?

Update WhatsApp through the official app store on your device. Then check Settings and Chats. The name or location of the option may change slightly in a new version.

Does archiving affect existing photos and messages?

No. Archiving only moves the chat to another folder. It does not delete existing messages or media. Manage storage and deleting messages are separate actions.

Can the other person see that I archive the chat?

No. WhatsApp does not send a notification about this. It is a local choice for the layout of your own chat list.

Can I still reply to an archived chat?

Yes. Open the Archived folder and tap the conversation. Then you can send a message as usual. Depending on your settings, the chat may stay archived or return to the regular list.

Do I leave a group when I archive it?

No. You remain a member of the group. You can still read and send messages. If you want to leave the group, you need to do that separately through the group info.

Does archiving free up space on my phone?

No. Messages and media remain stored. Use Manage Storage if you want to remove large files and free up storage space.

Which WhatsApp chat should you archive first?

Start with one conversation you do not need every day. Archive it and then check the Archived folder. After that, decide whether Keep chats archived fits the way you use WhatsApp. That way, you can get to know the feature without suddenly changing your whole overview.

An old group, a finished project, or a temporary customer chat is often a good first choice. Wait with important family conversations or active work groups until you know how notifications and new messages are handled on your device.

Do you also manage a WhatsApp channel alongside regular conversations? Then a tidy chat list helps you reach important contacts faster. If you also want to grow your channel reach, you can buy WhatsApp channel members from SocialKings.

Most of all, remember this: archiving cleans up your list, but it does not delete or protect the chat. Use muting for fewer notifications and Chat Lock for extra protection. With that clear split, you can always choose the right WhatsApp feature.