How to Archive WhatsApp Chat without Deleting Messages?
Have you ever thought about hiding a WhatsApp chat from your chat list without wanting to delete it? I was in the same boat, my chat list was a real mess, and I wanted to have a cleaner display without the sacrifice of old messages. That's when I found out how to archive WhatsApp chat, and it totally rearranged my conversation management.
In this article, I will guide you:
What archiving means on WhatsApp
The process of archiving chats on Android and iPhone
The way to seek and unarchive hidden chats
The outcome of archiving a chat
User-oriented FAQs based on most common questions
Let’s begin with it.
What is Archiving a WhatsApp Chat?
Archiving is a feature that does not delete or block a conversation on WhatsApp. Instead of that, it simply removes the conversation from the main chat list and puts it into a just-to-be-seen by viewers -“Archived” section. You have the freedom to access it at any moment, and the messages are stored securely.
There are times when I just don't want to see these chats — like the cases of old group chats or work messages that I don't need to be in touch with on a daily basis.
So, here’s the thing:
The archived conversations will stay in your account until you decide to delete them.
Also, you will still be able to receive messages, and the messages will come back on the main list unless you have changed the archive settings.
How to Archive WhatsApp Chat on Android
For the Android users, the chat archiving process is so simple that I could do it in less than ten seconds.
To archive a chat, just do the following:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
- On your chats list, tap and hold the chat to be archived.
- Click on the Archive icon (a small box with a downward arrow) located on the top bar.
- That's all! The chat you have selected will no longer be visible on your main screen but will be moved to the Archived segment.
To access the archived chats:
Make a scroll to the very top of the chat list.
Press Archived - all of the hidden chats will be shown here.
To unhide a chat, simply press and hold the chat and hit the Unarchive icon.
How to Archive WhatsApp Chat on iPhone
The method to archive a chat on an iPhone is a bit different, but it’s equally easy. I did this on my iPhone 14 and it worked just fine.
All you have to do is:
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- On the chat you want to archive, swipe left.
- From the pop-up options, tap Archive.
- Your chat will be relocated to the Archived section without any delay.
To access the archived chats:
Go to the top of your Chats tab and scroll up.
Press Archived Chats.
To retrieve a chat, slide left on that chat and hit Unarchive again.
The feature is applicable for both one-to-one and group conversations on WhatsApp.
How to Archive Group Chats on WhatsApp
If you find yourself in a lot of group chats (as in my case), archiving them will surely ease your mind. The procedure is the same as for individual chats:
On Android: Tap and hold the group chat → Tap on the Archive icon.
On iPhone: Swipe left on the group → Select Archive.
The new messages sent to archived group chat will still be received by the group unless you have activated the option "Keep chats archived" in settings.
How to Keep Archived Chats Hidden Permanently
Previously, the archived conversations reappeared in the main chat list whenever someone sent you a message. However, WhatsApp has now introduced a feature that enables users to keep their archived chats regardless of the arrival of new messages.
The following steps outline the way to activate this feature:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Navigate to Settings → Chats.
- Enable Keep Chats Archived.
I have made this my habit—it keeps hidden old or inactive chats forever until I decide to unarchive them.
What Happens When You Archive a Chat?
Take a look at what I saw after I archived.
The first point is that the chat no longer appears on the main list of chats.
You are not deprived of messages or media at all.
Searching the chat through the search bar is still possible.
Besides that, the notifications for the archived chats will stop unless someone mentions you in a group.
The conclusion is that archiving is a cleaner and safer way to organize chats without losing important data.
How to Unarchive Chats in WhatsApp
Whenever you do the unarchiving of the chat, it will be as if nothing happened,
Android: Tap Archived → Hold the chat → Tap Unarchive.
iPhone: Go to Archived Chats → Swipe left → Tap Unarchive.
The chat will instantly appear in your main list as it was before.
Extra Tip: Archive All Chats at Once
If there are too many chats in your list and you want to go with the option of archiving all the chats at once:
- Tap ⋮ (three dots) → Settings → Chats → Chat History.
- Tap Archive all chats.
- Go to Settings → Chats → Archive All Chats.
- Confirm as soon as you are asked.
This gives the advantage of a clean start while all the conversations are still preserved.
FAQs
1. What happens when I archive a chat on WhatsApp?
The chat is hidden without deleting messages from the main list. You can still open and reply anytime.
2. Can someone see if I archived their chat?
No, WhatsApp does not notify anyone (including the one whose chat is archived) when a chat is archived. The whole thing is private.
3. Do I still get messages from archived chats?
Yes, messages will continue to come. If "Keep Chats Archived" is activated, they will remain archived; if not, the chat will come back.
4. What is the procedure to find the archived chats in WhatsApp?
Go to the very top of your chat list and select Archived. There you will find all the chats that were hidden.
5. Is it really the case that archiving saves space for storage?
No, archiving just makes chats invisible but does not affect the storage. In order to create more space, you have to erase either media files or messages.
Conclusion
In case you are searching for a method to just hide chats without data loss, the procedure of archiving WhatsApp chat is the best answer. I used this method myself to keep my WhatsApp free of clutter, particularly for the old work and group chats.
Thus, do not hesitate to archive the chats that are not of daily interest to you. Your WhatsApp will appear more organized, uncluttered, and free of distractions, all while keeping your messages intact.