Archived Messages on Facebook Messenger: How to Use

Archiving a conversation in Facebook Messenger hides it from your main inbox without deleting any of the chat history. This is useful for decluttering your message list while keeping the conversation intact for future reference. You can archive chats manually or set up automatic archiving, and you can access and unarchive them anytime. Here’s how to do it on both mobile and desktop.

What You’ll Need

• A Facebook account with an active Messenger chat history
• The Messenger app (iOS or Android) or access to Messenger via a web browser on your computer
• For automatic archiving: the Messenger app on a mobile device (the feature is not available on the desktop version)

Step-by-Step

Archiving a Conversation (Mobile App)

1. Open the Messenger app on your phone or tablet.
2. From the Chats tab (the home screen), locate the conversation you want to archive. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top.
3. Press and hold on the conversation until a menu appears (on iOS, a small pop-up with options; on Android, a checkmark may appear next to the chat).
4. Tap Archive (on iOS) or tap the Archive icon (a folder with a down arrow) at the top of the screen (on Android).
5. The conversation disappears from your main inbox. It is now archived.

Archiving a Conversation (Desktop Web)

1. Go to messenger.com in your web browser and log in if needed.
2. In the left sidebar, hover over the conversation you want to archive.
3. Click the three dots (⋯) that appear on the right side of the conversation.
4. Select Archive from the dropdown menu.
5. The conversation moves to your archived folder.

Viewing Archived Conversations

1. Mobile: Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner of the Chats tab. Then tap Archived chats.
2. Desktop: Click the three dots (⋯) at the top of the chat list (next to “Chats”). Then select Archived chats.

Unarchiving a Conversation

1. Go to your Archived chats as described above.
2. Find the conversation you want to restore.
3. Mobile: Press and hold the conversation, then tap Unarchive (or tap the Unarchive icon).
4. Desktop: Click the three dots (⋯) next to the conversation, then select Unarchive.
5. The conversation moves back to your main inbox.

Setting Up Automatic Archiving (Mobile Only)

1. Open the Messenger app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
3. Tap Archived chats.
4. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner of the Archived Chats screen.
5. Toggle on Automatically archive. This will automatically archive messages from people you don’t follow on Facebook (i.e., non-friends) after 30 days. You can also choose to archive all messages from people you don’t follow, regardless of time.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing Archive with Delete: Archiving does not delete the conversation. It only hides it from your main view. The chat history, photos, and files remain intact.
• Not Knowing Where Archived Chats Go: Archived chats are not visible in the main list, so users often think they’ve lost the conversation. Remember to check the Archived Chats folder.
• Expecting the Other Person to See the Archive: Archiving is only visible to you. The other person still sees the conversation in their inbox.
• Thinking Archiving Stops Notifications: If you archive a conversation, you will still receive notifications for new messages from that person. To stop notifications, you need to mute the conversation separately.

Tips

• Use archiving to keep your inbox clean without losing important information. For example, archive old group chats or one-time conversations.
• If you want to find an archived conversation quickly, use the search bar at the top of the Messenger app. Type the person’s name, and the archived chat will appear in the results (you may need to scroll down to “Archived” section).
• You can archive a conversation by swiping left on it (iOS) or long-pressing it (Android) to access the archive option quickly.
• If you archive a conversation and then send a new message to that person, the conversation will automatically unarchive and reappear in your main inbox.
• Automatic archiving only works for messages from people you don’t follow on Facebook. If you want to archive all old messages, you’ll need to do it manually.

Troubleshooting

Archived Chats Not Showing Up

• Make sure you are looking in the right place. On mobile, tap your profile picture, then “Archived chats.” On desktop, click the three dots at the top of the chat list.
• If you still can’t find it, try using the search bar. Type the name of the person, and the conversation should appear under “Archived” in the results.

Archive Option Not Appearing

• On mobile, ensure you are pressing and holding the conversation correctly. On Android, you may need to tap the conversation once to select it, then tap the archive icon at the top.
• On desktop, hover over the conversation and look for the three dots. If you don’t see them, try clicking directly on the conversation to open it, then look for the gear icon (⋯) in the top-right corner of the chat window.

Automatic Archiving Not Working

• Automatic archiving is only available in the mobile app, not on desktop. Ensure you are using the latest version of the Messenger app.
• Check that you have followed the steps correctly: Profile picture → Archived chats → Settings → Toggle on “Automatically archive.”
• Remember that automatic archiving only applies to messages from people you don’t follow on Facebook. If you follow the person, their messages won’t be auto-archived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does archiving a message delete it?

No, archiving only hides the conversation from your main inbox. The full chat history is preserved and can be accessed anytime from the Archived Chats folder.

Can the other person see that I archived our conversation?

No, archiving is private. The other person will not be notified, and they will still see the conversation in their own inbox.

Will I still get notifications for archived messages?

Yes, you will still receive notifications for new messages in archived conversations. To stop notifications, you need to mute the conversation (by tapping the “i” icon and selecting “Mute”).

How do I unarchive a conversation?

Go to Archived Chats, find the conversation, press and hold (mobile) or click the three dots (desktop), and select “Unarchive.” The conversation will reappear in your main inbox.

What happens if I send a new message to someone I’ve archived?

The conversation will automatically unarchive and move back to your main inbox. This is a quick way to restore a chat if you need it again.

Can I archive a conversation on the desktop version of Messenger?

Yes, you can archive and unarchive conversations on the desktop web version. However, automatic archiving is only available in the mobile app.

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