In short: Archiving hides a chat from your main list without deleting it. To find archived chats, tap Archived at the top of your Chats tab. To bring one back on Android, press and hold it and tap the unarchive icon. On iPhone, swipe left and tap Unarchive. Steps from WhatsApp’s Help Center, as of November 2026.
What archive means on WhatsApp
Archiving moves a chat or group out of your Chats list so the list stays tidy. WhatsApp says it doesn’t delete the chat or back it up. It also doesn’t block anyone: the other person can still message you.
Two details catch people out:
- Archived chats stay archived. By default, a new message doesn’t bring a chat back to your main list.
- Notifications stop. You won’t get notifications for archived chats unless you’re mentioned or replied to.
Where to find archived chats
Open the Chats tab and look at the top of the list for Archived. On WhatsApp Web, it sits above your chats. The number beside it shows how many archived chats have unread messages, and an @ symbol means someone mentioned or replied to you in an archived group.
If you turned off Keep chats archived on Android, the Archived entry moves to the bottom of the Chats tab.
How to archive a chat
Android
- In the Chats tab, press and hold the chat.
- Tap the archive icon at the top.
iPhone
- In the Chats tab, swipe left on the chat.
- Tap Archive.
WhatsApp Web
- Hover over the chat and open its menu.
- Click Archive chat.
How to archive all chats
- Android: go to Settings, then Chats, Chat history, Archive all chats, and tap OK.
- iPhone: go to Settings, then Chats, Archive all chats, and tap Archive all.
How to unarchive a chat
Android
- Tap Archived in the Chats tab.
- Press and hold the chat, then tap the unarchive icon.
iPhone
- Tap Archived at the top of the Chats tab.
- Swipe left on the chat and tap Unarchive.
You can also search for the contact in the Chats tab, swipe left on the result and tap Unarchive.
WhatsApp Web
- Click Archived above your chats.
- Hover over the chat, open its menu and click Unarchive chat.
Make new messages bring a chat back
On Android, go to Settings, then Chats, and turn off Keep chats archived. Archived chats then return to your list when a new message arrives.
For a business team
Archive suits a personal phone. In a shared number, one person archiving a chat changes what everyone sees, and a customer’s next message can go unnoticed because archived chats stay quiet. Teams usually need something firmer: an owner for each chat and a ticket that stays open until the work is done. Our guide to shared inboxes explains how that works.
Frequently asked questions
Does archiving a chat delete it? No. The chat and its messages stay on your phone, and you can unarchive it at any time.
Will the other person know I archived the chat? WhatsApp’s help page doesn’t list any notice to the other person. Archiving only changes your own chat list.
Why did my archived chat not come back when a message arrived? That’s the default. Turn off Keep chats archived on Android to change it.
Is archive the same as a backup? No. WhatsApp says archiving doesn’t back up a chat. See how to back up and restore WhatsApp chats.
Customers getting lost in a busy WhatsApp number? See how Risponse gives each message to the team that should handle it.