Sometimes, you may want to hide a particular chat or group, instead of deleting it. So, there is a new feature in WhatsApp through which one can archive it. Let us know how to do this on Android, iOS or PC.
If you have used WhatsApp, you probably know that it comes with a handy feature called chat history. You can use this to access all your messages and keep them as a backup. And there is one better way of archiving the chats completely.
What is Archiving Chats in WhatsApp?
Archiving WhatsApp chats is a functionality that enables saving individual or group conversations to keep them out of sight from the general chat list without removing them. If a chat is archived, it becomes relocated to an independent “Archived” folder at the top or bottom of the chat window, making the interface cleaner and more organised, with all messages and media remaining in such conversations intact. Archived messages can be read at any time, and users can unarchive them whenever they require them.
Archiving is useful specifically to mute notifications on some conversations, push less active or sensitive chats away from the immediate look, or deal with a cluttered chat screen. Significantly, archiving does not delete or back up the chat to mobile storage, and archived chats are automatically hidden even if there are incoming messages—unless the user modifies this in WhatsApp settings. Users are not notified about archived chats unless mentioned or directly quoted.
Also Read: WhatsApp Rolls Out Group Chat Improvements
How to Archive Chats in Android?
Here is a step-by-step tutorial you may use to use Android to archive a conversation or group.
On your Android smartphone, launch WhatsApp.
Tap and hold the chat you wish to conceal in the Chats tab.
On the screen’s top, tap the Archive symbol.
You may quickly archive a conversation or group using Android by following the procedures listed above. Now, if you want to archive all of your conversations, just follow the instructions listed below.
How to Archive Chats on iPhone?
To archive a chat or group on an iPhone, swipe left on the conversation or group you wish to archive and then touch Archive.
How to Archive Chats on WhatsApp Web?
To Archive Chats on WhatsApp Web, follow the steps below:
- Log in to WhatsApp Web.
- Right-click on the Chat that you wish to archive.
That’s it, you have successfully archived a chat.
How do I Unarchive Chats on WhatsApp?
Follow the instructions below. To Unarchive a WhatsApp group or chat:
- On your Android smartphone, launch WhatsApp.
- After that, hit Archived at the bottom of the Chats screen.
- The conversation or group that you wish to unarchive must be touched and held.
- Tap the symbol for Unarchive in the top bar.
- There are times when you might want to archive a message or unarchive it quickly.
Why does WhatsApp release this Archiving feature?
The major goal of the archived chat, according to the WhatsApp release statement, is for users to properly arrange their inboxes and place greater emphasis on their most crucial chats.
Because users demand that their archived conversations be kept separate from the main chat thread even when they get fresh messages, WhatsApp has created this functionality.
Users can therefore conceal their individual or group chats from their chat list independently in the “Archived chats” folder using archived chats. However, it doesn’t follow that the archived chats are removed or copied to the SD card. Users won’t be notified about archived chats until they are referenced in the messages or respond to them.
Do other people know if you have archived them on WhatsApp?
Other people do not know if you have archived their chat on WhatsApp. Archiving a conversation is a personal and private action—it only affects how your chat list appears and what notifications you receive. The other person in the chat is not notified or alerted in any way, and there are no visible indicators on their end to show that you have archived the conversation.
When you archive someone, you simply move the chat into your own “Archived” section, muting its notifications by default. The other user can continue to see the chat as usual and send you messages, but they will not be informed or impacted by your decision to archive. The conversation remains fully functional and accessible for both parties; archiving only declutters your own view within WhatsApp.
