How to Archive Messages in Facebook Messenger

Archiving a conversation in Facebook Messenger hides it from your main chat list without deleting any messages. You can still find and read archived chats later, and new messages from the same person will automatically unarchive the conversation. This guide covers archiving on the Messenger app (Android and iOS) and on the desktop website.

What You’ll Need

The Facebook Messenger app installed on your phone (Android or iOS), or access to the Messenger website on a computer.
Your Facebook login credentials if you aren’t already signed in.
An active internet connection.

Step-by-Step

On the Messenger Mobile App (Android and iOS)

Open the Messenger app on your phone.
Log in if you aren’t already signed in to your Facebook account.
You’ll see your Chats list. Find the conversation you want to archive. You can scroll or use the search bar at the top.
Press and hold on the conversation. After a moment, a menu will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Archive (the icon looks like a folder with a down arrow). The conversation will immediately disappear from your Chats list.
Alternatively, you can open the conversation, tap the “i” icon (or the person’s name at the top), scroll down, and tap Archive.

On the Facebook Messenger Website (Desktop)

Go to messenger.com in your web browser and log in.
Your active conversations are listed on the left side of the screen.
Hover your mouse over the conversation you want to archive. A small ellipsis (…) icon will appear on the right edge of that chat row.
Click the ellipsis icon to open a drop-down menu.
Select Archive from the menu. The chat will move out of your main list.

Common Mistakes

Confusing Archive with Delete: Archiving does not delete any messages. The conversation is just hidden. If you want to permanently remove messages, you must use the Delete option, which is a separate action.
Expecting the person to be notified: Archiving is completely private. The other person will not receive any notification, and they can still send you messages.
Thinking archived chats are gone forever: You can always access archived conversations through the Archive folder. They aren’t lost.
Not realizing a new message unarchives the chat: If the person you archived sends you a new message, the conversation will automatically reappear in your main Chats list. This is normal behavior, not a glitch.

Tips

Use archive to declutter: Archive old group chats or conversations you don’t want to see daily, but might need later (e.g., order confirmations, travel plans).
Find archived chats quickly: In the Messenger app, tap your profile picture in the top-left corner, then tap Archived Chats. On the desktop site, click the ellipsis (…) next to “Chats” and select Archived.
Unarchive a chat: Open the archived conversation and send a new message, or use the same menu you used to archive it and select Unarchive (the icon will be a folder with an up arrow).
Archive multiple chats at once: On the mobile app, tap your profile picture, then tap Manage Chats. You can then tap and select multiple conversations and archive them together. This is handy for a big cleanup.

Troubleshooting

If archiving doesn’t work as expected, try these fixes:

App not responding: Force-close the Messenger app and reopen it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messenger > Force Stop. On iOS, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Messenger app card away. Then reopen the app.
Option not visible: Make sure you’re pressing and holding the conversation (not just tapping it) on mobile. On desktop, make sure you hover directly over the chat row to see the ellipsis icon.
Archived chat reappears immediately: This usually means the other person sent a new message at that exact moment. Check your Chats list for a new badge. If it keeps happening, the person may be typing or sending something.
Can’t find the Archive folder: On the mobile app, tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. The Archived Chats option is usually at the top of the menu. On desktop, click the ellipsis (…) next to the “Chats” heading on the left sidebar.
Update the app: If you’re using an older version of Messenger, the archive feature might be in a different spot. Update the app through your device’s app store to ensure you have the latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does archiving a conversation delete it?

No. Archiving simply hides the conversation from your main chat list. All messages are kept, and you can access them anytime through the Archived Chats folder.

Will the other person know I archived our chat?

No. Archiving is completely private. The other person will not receive any notification, and they can still send you messages as usual.

How do I unarchive a conversation?

Go to your Archived Chats folder, open the conversation, and send a new message. Or, while viewing the archived chat, tap the “i” icon (mobile) or the ellipsis (desktop) and select Unarchive.

If I archive a chat and the person sends a new message, what happens?

The conversation automatically moves back to your main Chats list. This is designed so you don’t miss new messages from archived contacts.

Can I archive a group chat?

Yes, you can archive any individual or group conversation using the same steps. The group chat will be hidden, but you’ll still receive notifications for new messages, and it will reappear when someone sends a message.

Is there a way to archive all chats at once?

There is no built-in “archive all” button. However, on the mobile app you can go to your profile > Manage Chats to select multiple conversations and archive them together. On the desktop, you’ll need to archive each chat individually.

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

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