How to Mark a WhatsApp Message as Unread

Marking a WhatsApp message as unread is a simple way to flag a chat so you remember to reply later, even after you’ve already opened it. This guide walks you through the steps on both Android and iPhone, plus what to do if the feature doesn’t work as expected. No special setup is required—just an updated version of WhatsApp.

What You’ll Need

• WhatsApp installed and updated (the feature is available on all recent versions).
• An active chat that you have already opened (so it currently shows as read).
• A smartphone running Android or iOS—the steps differ slightly.

Step-by-Step

On Android

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
2. Find the chat you want to mark as unread. It should be in your chat list, not the archived folder.
3. Press and hold on the chat until a checkmark appears next to it (usually after about a second). This selects the chat.
4. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a row of icons. Look for the one that looks like an envelope with a downward arrow—this is the Mark as unread icon. Tap it.
5. The chat will now show a blue dot next to it, and the message preview will appear in bold, just like a new unread message. The unread count badge on the WhatsApp app icon will also increase by one.

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
2. Find the chat in your list. Swipe from right to left on the chat row.
3. You’ll see a menu with several options. Tap Mark as Unread (it has a blue envelope icon).
4. The chat will now show a blue dot and bold text, indicating it’s unread. The app icon badge will also increment.

That’s it—the chat is now marked as unread, so you’ll see it highlighted every time you open WhatsApp until you open it again.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong icon on Android: Some users tap the archive icon (a box with a down arrow) instead of the mark-as-unread icon (envelope with a down arrow). Double-check the icon before tapping.
• Swiping the wrong direction on iPhone: Swiping from left to right reveals different actions (like pin or archive). Always swipe from right to left to get the unread option.
• Tapping the chat instead of selecting it: On Android, a simple tap opens the chat. You must press and hold to enter selection mode.
• Expecting the sender to see it: Marking as unread is only for your own view. The other person will not see any change, and they won’t know you’ve done it.

Tips

• Use it for reminders: If you can’t reply right away, mark the chat as unread so you remember to come back to it later. It’s like a gentle nudge.
• Combine with pinning: For very important chats, you can also pin them to the top of your chat list. Pinning keeps the chat at the top, while unread adds a visual cue.
• Check your notification settings: If you don’t see the blue dot, make sure your phone’s notification settings allow WhatsApp to show badges or dots. On some devices, you can customize this in system settings.
• Unread on WhatsApp Web: The mark-as-unread feature is also available on WhatsApp Web and Desktop. On the web, hover over the chat and click the arrow icon next to the chat name.

Troubleshooting

If the mark-as-unread option isn’t working, try these steps:

• Update WhatsApp: Go to your app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and check for updates. Older versions may not have this feature.
• Restart the app: Fully close WhatsApp (swipe it away from your recent apps) and reopen it. This can fix minor glitches.
• Restart your phone: If restarting the app doesn’t help, a phone restart often clears temporary software issues.
• Check if the chat is archived: Archived chats don’t show the unread option in the same way. Unarchive the chat first (on Android: scroll to bottom and tap “Archived”; on iPhone: swipe left on the archived chat and tap “Unarchive”).
• Clear WhatsApp cache (Android only): Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache. This won’t delete your messages but can fix UI glitches.
• If all else fails: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Make sure you have a backup first (WhatsApp backs up to Google Drive or iCloud). This is a last resort but usually resolves persistent issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does marking a message as unread notify the sender?

No. The sender has no way of knowing you marked their message as unread. It’s purely a personal organization tool.

Can I mark multiple chats as unread at once?

Yes, on Android you can select multiple chats (by long-pressing each) and then tap the mark-as-unread icon. On iPhone, you have to do them one by one.

Will the unread mark disappear if I read the message from the notification bar?

If you read the message from the notification banner or by replying from the notification, the chat will still show as unread. The mark only clears when you open the chat in the app itself.

Does marking as unread affect message read receipts (blue ticks)?

No. The blue ticks are controlled by your read receipts settings. Marking as unread doesn’t change those—the sender will still see if you’ve read their message if read receipts are enabled.

Can I mark a chat as unread on WhatsApp Web?

Yes. On WhatsApp Web, hover over the chat, click the three-dot menu, and select “Mark as unread.” The blue dot will appear there too.

Why is the mark-as-unread option missing on my phone?

Make sure your WhatsApp is updated to the latest version. The feature was rolled out gradually, so if you still don’t see it, try clearing the app’s cache (Android) or reinstalling the app.

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