Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Archive feature (archive) of Facebook used to hide messages from the inbox. The stored messages go to the hidden folder and you can access it at any time. New messages from this friend will put the entire conversation back in the inbox, so don't get too high on this feature if you want to hide any ongoing conversations.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: On the computer

1. 

   Access the main message screen. Log in to your Facebook account, then visit facebook.com/messages to view your inbox. Or click the Messages icon at the top of the page and then select See All from the drop-down menu.

2. 

   
   
   Select conversation. Click a conversation in the list in the left pane.

3. 

   Click the gear icon located in the center pane, above the conversation.

4. 

   
   
   Select Archive. After you click the gear button, a drop-down menu will appear. Select Archive from this list to move the message to a hidden folder. If this person continues to contact you, the old messages will be sent back to the inbox.
   • To find this message again, click the Other option at the top of the list of conversations. Then, choose Archived from the drop-down menu.

5. 

   
   
   You can also use mouse options to archive the conversation without opening it. Just scroll on the list of conversations and hover your mouse pointer over the message with the person you want to hide. A small X will appear on the right edge of the message box. Click this X to archive the conversation.

6. 

   Delete messages permanently. You can permanently delete messages from your mailbox, but the conversation will still show up in that person's account. If you are sure of this decision, you can do the following:
   • Select the conversation from within the main Messages screen.
   • Click the gear-shaped task icon at the top of the screen.
   • Select Delete Messages ... from the drop-down menu. Then click the checkbox next to each message you want to delete. Click Delete in the lower right, then select Delete Message on the confirmation pop-up.
   • To delete the entire conversation, you need to select Delete Conversation from the task menu.
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Method 2 of 2: On mobile

1. 

   Hide messages on the browser of a smartphone (smartphone). Open any browser on smartphone or tablet and login to Facebook. Follow these instructions to hide messages:
   • Click on the Messages icon (the picture of two dialogue bubbles lying on top of each other).
   • Swipe left on the conversation you want to hide.
   • Click Archive.

2. 

   Hide messages on feature phones. If your phone is not a smartphone but has a mobile browser:
   • Log in to Facebook.
   • Open a conversation.
   • Select Choose an action.
   • Select Archive.
   • Select Apply.

3. 

   Use the app on Android. If your Android device has the Facebook Messenger app, you can still manage messages on your smartphone or tablet. Just open the Facebook app on your Android device to get started:
   • Click the dialogue bubble icon.
   • Press and hold the conversation you want to hide.
   • Click Archive.

4. 

   Proceed on iOS device. You can do this on iPhone and iPad. Download the Facebook Messenger app if you don't have it installed, then:
   • Open the Facebook app.
   • Tap the lightning bolt Messenger icon at the bottom of the screen.
   • Swipe left on the conversation you want to hide.
   • Click More.
   • Click Archive.
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Advice

• If you want to save the conversation but don't want others to find it, you can take a screenshot of the message and delete the conversation. Then, store the screenshot on the personal device.
• Actions only work on personal Facebook accounts. The message will remain in the mailbox of the person you chatted with.
• To view messages on a site you manage (such as a business page or fan page), sign in on your computer or download the Pages Manager app to your mobile device.
• In most cases, the option to permanently delete messages will be on the same list as the Archive task.

Warning

• Facebook Messenger may not work on mobile devices running the old operating system. In this case, you can log into Facebook on a mobile or desktop browser.