Archive Messages in Facebook

You may be more focused if the Facebook conversations you've read and handled don't linger in your message inbox. You can delete conversations. However, archiving messages hides them from your inbox until the next time you exchange messages with that person.

Archiving in Facebook Messenger moves a conversation to a separate folder to keep your inbox clean and organized.

Archive Facebook Conversations on Your Computer

In a computer browser, archive Facebook conversations on the Messenger screen. There are a couple of ways to get there.

1. Select the Messenger icon in the upper-right corner of the Facebook screen.

2. Select See All in Messenger.

   If the message is open and displays at the bottom of Facebook, find the Open in Messenger option from the drop-down menu next to the user's profile image.

3. Select the three-dot menu that's visible when you hover the mouse pointer over the thread in the conversation you want to archive.

4. Choose Hide from the pop-up menu. The chosen conversation moves to your Hidden Chats folder.

5. To view the contents of the Hidden Chats folder, select the Settings gear at the top of the Messenger screen and choose Hidden Chats.

If the conversation is unread, the sender's name appears in bold type in the Hidden Chats folder. If you previously viewed the conversation, the sender's name appears in regular type.

Archive Using Facebook Messenger App for iOS

On mobile devices, the iOS Messenger app is separate from the Facebook app. Both are free downloads for your iPhone or iPad. To archive a conversation in the Messenger app for iOS devices:

1. Open Messenger to the list of chat threads.

2. On the conversation you want to archive, slide from right to left until you see a menu option.

3. Select the three-lined menu.

4. Tap Archive.

Archive Using Facebook Messenger App for Android 

On Android mobile devices, tap and hold a conversation and choose Archive. If you don't see the conversation, go to the Chats tab from the bottom of the app, or use the back arrow in the upper-left corner of an open conversation.

To find an archived conversation, enter the individual's name in the search bar at the top of the Messenger app screen.