How to Archive or Unarchive Messages in Messenger

Key Takeaways

• When you archive a chat in Messenger, the app hides the chat from your home screen, but you can always unarchive the conversations from the same menu.
• You may also archive chats from the Facebook web service by clicking the Messenger icon > selecting three dots for a specific chat > clicking Archive chat.

What Happens When You Archive a Chat in Messenger?

Before archiving a conversation in Messenger, let’s discuss its implications. When you archive a chat in Messenger, the app hides it from your home screen. You can always unarchive conversations from the same menu.

Unlike WhatsApp and Telegram, Messenger doesn’t offer an option to pin important chats at the top. Instead of finding relevant messages, you can archive unnecessary chats and keep only required contacts on the Messenger home.

How to Archive Conversations on Facebook Messenger Mobile Apps

Most users prefer Messenger mobile apps to stay in touch with friends and family members on the go. The steps below can archive messages in Messenger for Android and iPhone.

On Android

Step 1: Open the Messenger app on your Android phone.

Step 2: Long-press on a conversation you want to archive and select Archive.

Repeat the same for all irrelevant conversations in Messenger and keep your home page spam-free. Unfortunately, there is no way to multi-select several conversations in Messenger and archive them with a single tap.

On iOS

You may use the same method as on an Android to archive, but alternatively, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Messenger app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Left swipe on a conversation and select Archive from the context menu.

Archive Conversations on Facebook Messenger Using Desktop

If you use a desktop, you don’t need to reach your mobile phone to archive messages in Messenger. Visit the Messenger site, then follow the steps below.

Step 1: Sign into your Facebook account.

Step 2: Check a list of conversations from the main menu.

Step 3: Hover the cursor over a conversation and click the kebab menu (that looks like a three-dot).

Step 4: Select Archive chat.

Step 5: Repeat the same for all conversations you want to hide.

You may also follow the same steps above to archive a group chat.

Unarchive Messages in Facebook Messenger

Did you accidentally archive important chats in Messenger? Unarchiving them won’t take more than a couple of minutes.

On Desktop

Step 1: Head to Messenger on the web > select Archived from the left sidebar.

Step 2: Select the three horizontal dots menu > click Unarchive chat. The conversation will appear on the main page.

iOS and Android

Step 1: Open the hamburger menu in Messenger (from the top-left corner).

Step 2: Select Archive.

Step 3: Long-press on a conversation and select Unarchive.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Archive and Delete in Messenger?

When you archive a chat, it disappears from your chat list; however, it is not deleted; it is only hidden.

Does Messenger Mute Archived Chats?

No, when you archive a conversation, the chat is not muted, and the messages are only hidden.