How to Add and Remove Favorites in WhatsApp

This guide shows you how to pin and unpin chats as favorites in WhatsApp, so your most important conversations stay at the top of your chat list. You’ll learn the exact steps for both Android and iPhone, plus how to manage your favorites list effectively.

What You’ll Need

A smartphone with WhatsApp installed (Android or iPhone).
The latest version of WhatsApp (favorites are available in recent updates).
Your WhatsApp account logged in and active.

Step-by-Step

Adding a Favorite (Pinning a Chat)

Open WhatsApp on your phone.
Go to the Chats tab (the main screen that lists all your conversations).
Find the chat you want to favorite. It can be an individual or a group chat.
On Android: Press and hold the chat until a menu appears at the top. Tap the pin icon (a pushpin). On iPhone: Swipe right on the chat, then tap the pin icon that appears.
The chat will move to the top of your list and stay there. A small pin icon will appear next to it.

Removing a Favorite (Unpinning a Chat)

Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Locate the pinned chat you want to unpin.
On Android: Press and hold the pinned chat, then tap the pin icon again (it will be highlighted). On iPhone: Swipe right on the pinned chat and tap the pin icon again.
The chat will return to its normal position in your list, sorted by the most recent message.

Managing Multiple Favorites

You can pin up to 3 chats by default. If you try to pin a 4th, WhatsApp will ask you to unpin one first.
To reorder pinned chats, press and hold a pinned chat, then drag it up or down. Release to drop it in the new position.
Pinned chats are always at the top, even when you receive new messages in other chats.

Common Mistakes

Pinning too many chats: WhatsApp only allows 3 pinned chats. Trying to pin more will fail or prompt you to remove one.
Confusing favorites with starred messages: Favorites (pinned chats) keep the whole chat at the top. Starred messages are individual messages you save for later. They are different features.
Expecting favorites to sync across devices: Pinned chats are a per-device setting. If you pin a chat on your phone, it won’t automatically pin on WhatsApp Web or Desktop. You need to pin it separately on each device.
Forgetting that unpinning does not delete the chat: Unpinning only removes the chat from the top. The chat and its history remain intact.

Tips

Use favorites for chats you need quick access to every day, like family group chats or work conversations.
If you have more than 3 important chats, consider using the Archive feature to hide less important chats instead of pinning.
On Android, you can also pin a chat by tapping the chat, then the three-dot menu, and selecting Pin chat.
On iPhone, you can also pin by tapping the chat, then the contact name at the top, and toggling Pin Chat.
Pinned chats show a blue pin icon next to them, making them easy to spot.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the pin icon when I press and hold a chat.
Make sure you’re pressing and holding directly on the chat row, not on a message preview. If it still doesn’t appear, update WhatsApp to the latest version from your app store.

I can’t pin a 4th chat.
WhatsApp limits pinned chats to 3. Unpin one of the existing pinned chats first, then pin the new one.

My pinned chats disappeared after I reinstalled WhatsApp.
Pinned chats are stored locally on your device. When you reinstall, the setting resets. You’ll need to pin them again after restoring your chat history.

Pinned chats are not showing at the top on WhatsApp Web.
As mentioned, pinned chats are per-device. On WhatsApp Web, click the chat you want to pin, then click the three-dot menu and select Pin chat.

I accidentally unpinned a chat and now I can’t find it.
Don’t worry, the chat is still in your list. Scroll down to find it, or use the search bar at the top to search for the contact or group name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pin more than 3 chats?
No, WhatsApp currently allows a maximum of 3 pinned chats. This limit is the same on both Android and iPhone.

Will pinning a chat notify the other person?
No, pinning is a private action only visible to you. The other person will not be notified.

Does unpinning a chat delete the chat history?
No, unpinning only removes the chat from the top of your list. All messages and media remain intact.

Can I pin a chat from WhatsApp Web?
Yes, you can pin a chat on WhatsApp Web by clicking the chat, then the three-dot menu, and selecting Pin chat. The pin will only apply to the web session, not your phone.

How do I know if a chat is pinned?
Pinned chats appear at the top of your chat list with a small pushpin icon next to them.

Can I pin a chat that is archived?
No, you need to unarchive the chat first. Once unarchived, you can pin it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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