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10 Tech How-To

How to Pin Messages in WhatsApp

Guide 10-36090 · Updated · Step by step

Pinning messages in WhatsApp lets you keep important chats, links, or reminders at the top of a conversation for quick access. This guide covers pinning on both iPhone and Android, as well as WhatsApp Web, and explains how to manage multiple pinned messages.

What You’ll Need

  • An active WhatsApp account on your phone or computer
  • The latest version of WhatsApp installed (pinning is available in most recent versions)
  • For WhatsApp Web: a linked phone with an active internet connection

Step-by-Step

On iPhone

  1. Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the chat that contains the message you want to pin.
  3. Find the specific message (text, image, video, or document) you wish to pin.
  4. Press and hold on the message until a menu appears.
  5. Tap Pin from the menu. (If you don’t see it, tap the three-dot “More” option first.)
  6. Choose the duration: 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.
  7. Tap the checkmark or Pin to confirm.

On Android

  1. Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
  2. Navigate to the chat with the message you want to pin.
  3. Long-press the message until it is selected (you’ll see a checkmark at the top).
  4. Tap the pin icon (a pushpin) at the top of the screen.
  5. Select the duration: 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.
  6. Tap Pin to confirm.

On WhatsApp Web / Desktop

  1. Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser or launch the WhatsApp desktop app.
  2. Open the chat containing the message you want to pin.
  3. Hover over the message, click the down arrow (⋁) that appears on the right.
  4. Select Pin message from the dropdown menu.
  5. Choose the duration and click Pin.

Common Mistakes

  • Pinning the wrong message: Make sure you long-press the exact message you want, not just any message in the chat.
  • Not selecting a duration: If you skip the duration step, WhatsApp may default to 24 hours, which might be shorter than intended.
  • Confusing pinning a chat with pinning a message: Pinning a chat (the whole conversation) is different from pinning a message inside a chat. This guide is about messages.
  • Assuming pinning works on WhatsApp Business: It does, but the steps are identical to the regular app.

Tips

  • You can pin up to 3 messages in a single chat (on most versions). If you try to pin a fourth, WhatsApp will ask you to replace an existing pinned message.
  • Pinned messages appear at the top of the chat with a small pin icon. Tap on the icon to jump to the pinned message quickly.
  • Use pinning for things like addresses, meeting links, or important reminders that you need to reference repeatedly.
  • If you pin a message that contains media, the media itself is pinned, not just the text. Tapping it will open the full image or video.
  • Pinning works in group chats too, which is handy for rules or event details.

Troubleshooting

  • Pin option not appearing: Make sure you have the latest WhatsApp version. If you’re on an older version, update the app from your app store. Also, check that you’re long-pressing correctly (on mobile) or hovering and clicking the arrow (on web).
  • Can’t pin because the message is too old: WhatsApp does not restrict pinning based on message age, but if the message is part of a deleted chat or media that has been removed, it may not be pinnable. Try pinning a different message.
  • Pinned message disappears after a few days: Check the duration you selected. If you chose 24 hours, it will disappear after that. Re-pin with a longer duration if needed.
  • Pinning on WhatsApp Web not working: Ensure your phone has an active internet connection and that WhatsApp Web is synced. Refresh the page or relink your phone if necessary.
  • Only 3 pins allowed: If you’ve reached the limit, unpin an existing message first (long-press it and select “Unpin”) before pinning a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pin a message in a group chat?

Yes, you can pin messages in group chats. The steps are the same as for individual chats. All members will see the pinned message at the top, but only admins can pin messages in some group settings (if restricted).

How do I unpin a message?

Long-press the pinned message (or tap the pin icon next to it) and select Unpin. On web, hover over the message and click the arrow, then choose Unpin message.

Can I pin a message for more than 30 days?

No, the maximum duration is 30 days. After that, the message will automatically unpin. You can re-pin it manually if you still need it.

Will the other person see that I pinned a message?

No, pinning is only visible to you. The other participant(s) will not receive a notification or see that you pinned a message. In group chats, other members can see the pinned message, but not who pinned it.

Can I pin a message that was sent by someone else?

Yes, you can pin any message in the chat, regardless of who sent it. This is useful for saving important information from others.

Does pinning work on WhatsApp Business?

Yes, WhatsApp Business has the same pinning feature, and the steps are identical to the regular WhatsApp app.

Related

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

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