How To Hide Chat In Messenger App

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Facebook's archive feature hides messages from your inbox. The archived messages move to a hidden folder, which you can access at any time. A new message from the same friend will pop the whole conversation back to your inbox, so don't rely on it to hide an ongoing conversation.

1

Visit your main message screen. Log on to your Facebook account. Visit facebook.com/messages to see your inbox. Alternatively, click the Messages icon at the top of the page, then click See All on the drop-down menu.
2

Select the conversation. Click the conversation from the list in the left pane.
3

Click the cogwheel icon. This is located above the conversation in the center pane.
4
Select Archive. Clicking the cogwheel opens a drop-down menu. Select Archive from this list to move the messages to a hidden folder. If the same person contacts you again, the old message will move back to your inbox.
- To find this message again, click Other at the top of your list of Messages. Select Archived from the drop-down menu.
5

Use the mouseover options instead. You can also archive conversations without opening them. Just scroll through your list of conversations, and hover your cursor over the one you want to hide. A tiny X will appear near the right edge of the box. Click this X to archive the message.^[1]
6
Delete a message permanently. You can permanently remove a message from your inbox, although it will still show up in your friend's. If you're sure you want to do this, follow these steps:^[2]
- Select a conversation from the main Messages screen.
- Click the Actions icon at the top of the screen. This looks like a cogwheel.
- Select Delete Messages... from the drop-down menu. Click the checkbox next to each message you wish to delete. Click Delete in the lower right, then Delete Message in the pop-up confirmation window.
- To delete an entire conversation, select Delete Conversation from the Actions menu instead.

1
Hide messages on a smartphone browser. Open any browser on a smartphone or tablet, and log on to Facebook. Follow these instructions to hide a message:^[3]
- Tap the Messages icon (a pair of speech bubbles).
- Swipe left on the conversation you want to hide.
- Tap Archive .
2
Hide messages from a non-smartphone. Use these instructions if your phone is not a smartphone, but does have a mobile browser:^[4]
- Log onto Facebook.
- Open a conversation.
- Select Choose an action .
- Select Archive .
- Select Apply .
3
Use the Android app. If you have the Facebook Messenger app on your Android device, you can manage messages from your smartphone or tablet. Open the Facebook app on your Android device to get started:^[5]
- Tap the speech bubble icon.
- Press and hold the conversation you want to hide.
- Tap Archive .
4
Do it from your iOS Device. This will work on an iPhone and an iPad. Download the Facebook Messenger app if you haven't already, then begin hiding messages:^[6] ^[7]
- Open your Facebook app.
- Tap the Messenger icon at the bottom of your screen. This looks like a lightning bolt.
- Swipe left on the conversation you'd like to hide.
- Tap More .
- Tap Archive .

Add New Question

Question

How can I remove or hide my messages from my friend's inbox?

The copy in your friend's inbox is under their control. There is no way to remove or change what they see in their inbox, without having access to it.
Question

Can I message someone who isn't my friend on Facebook?

Yes.
Question

How do I keep my messenger chats private?

You could use the secret conversation option in Facebook messenger, as it can hide your messages from other devices and the message box will only appear in a certain device that you choose.
Question

How do I turn off chat in the Messenger app?

Tap the icon that looks like a bullet list. Tap "Active." Turn chat off with the switch at the top of the screen. You will still receive messages, but no one will know you are online.
Question

How do I hide the message icon from my public profile, so strangers can't message me?

Facebook removed this option and changed how messages from non-friends work. They now appear in your inbox as "Message Requests" with an "Ignore" option. If you dislike this change, however, let Facebook know.
Question

When I chat on Facebook Messenger, can my friends see that conversation?

No. All Facebook messages are private; they can only be seen by the people who are sending and receiving the messages. (In the case of a group chat, however, everyone in the chat can see everyone's messages to each other.)
Question

How do I hide message and call details on my phone screen?

Go into Settings, click the Notification button and press Hide from Lock Screen.
Question

How can I see the hidden messages again?

You can search for the username of the person and you should be able to find the conversation, or just message them again and the previous conversation(s) will be visible again.
Question

Does archiving a conversation hide it on other devices I'm logged into?

Yes, it does, but if someone were to search for the name in the search box, they'd be able to see the messages.

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If you want to save a conversation but don't want to risk anyone finding it, take a screenshot of the message, then delete it. Store the screenshot on a personal device.
Your actions only affect your personal Facebook account. The people you were messaging will still see the conversation in their inbox.
To see the messages of a Page you manage (such as a business or fan group page), log in from a computer or download the Pages Manager App to your mobile device.^[8]
In most cases, the option to permanently delete a message is found on the same list of options as Archive.

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Facebook Messenger may not work on mobile devices running older operating systems. Log in from a mobile browser or computer instead.

About This Article

Article Summary X

1. Log into https://www.facebook.com/messages.
2. Select a conversation.
3. Click the gear.
4. Click Archive or Delete Messages.

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