WhatsApp chats can be archived and deleted directly from the application. Press and hold a conversation or a message: this will bring up a menu with various options that will allow you to manage the content of the chat. WhatsApp also offers WhatsApp Web, a service that allows you to keep active and manage chats from your computer. To use this service, you will need to scan a QR code with a mobile device in order to verify your account. WhatsApp Web uses an interface very similar to that of the mobile application, allowing you to manage conversations almost entirely in the same way from a computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Mobile Application (Android)
Step 1. Open the WhatsApp application
If you haven't already installed it, you can download it from the Play Store.
Step 2. Select the "Chat" tab
This button is located in the top menu bar, below the buttons that look like a magnifying glass and a telephone handset. The list of your conversations will open.
Step 3. Press and hold the chat you want to edit
The list of buttons at the top of the screen will be replaced by a series of buttons that will allow you to make changes to the selected chat.
Step 4. Click on the button that represents a square with an arrow pointing downwards
This button is located in the top menu bar. Archiving a chat will remove it from the list without deleting its content.
Step 5. Press the trash can icon to delete a chat
This button is in the same row as the archive button. Deleting a chat removes it completely, without the possibility of recovery.
Step 6. Press the crossed out speaker icon to silence a chat
This button is located next to the garbage can symbol. By muting a chat, you will disable notifications and associated sounds.
Step 7. Press the button to go back once you are done
This button is located in the upper left corner and allows you to reopen the usual menu bar.
Step 8. Tap on a chat to open it
The chat content will then be displayed on the screen.
Step 9. Press and hold a message in a chat
The list of buttons at the top of the screen will be replaced by a series of buttons that will allow you to make changes to the selected message.
Step 10. Click on the "Reply" button to quote the message in your reply
This button is located next to the back arrow in the top menu bar. It will allow you to open a new window in which the selected message will be quoted so that you can reply directly.
Step 11. Tap on the star symbol to save a message to your favorites
This button is located next to the "Reply" button. You will be able to access your favorite messages from the chat list. Just tap on the button with three vertical dots and select "Important messages".
You can tap the star symbol a second time to remove a message from your favorites
Step 12. Click on the "Info" button to see the details of reading and delivering a message
This button is represented by a circle with an "i" inside and is next to the star symbol. This option displays the time when the message was actually delivered and whether it was read or not.
Step 13. Press the icon that looks like a garbage can to delete a message
This button is located next to the information button.
Deleted messages cannot be recovered
Step 14. Click on the "Copy" button
This button features two overlapping rectangles and is located next to the garbage can symbol. The content will then be copied to the clipboard and can be pasted elsewhere.
Step 15. Click on the "Submit" button
This key has an arrow pointing to the right and is next to the one that allows you to copy the message. You will be redirected to your contact list, where you can select the users you want to forward the message to.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Mobile Application (iOS)
Step 1. Open the WhatsApp application on your device
If you haven't already installed it, you can download it from the App Store.
Step 2. Select the "Chat" tab
This button is located in the lower menu bar and will allow you to view the list of your chats.
Step 3. Click on "Edit"
This button is located in the upper left corner and allows you to activate the editing mode. Checkboxes will appear next to each chat.
Step 4. Tap on a chat to select it
You can select multiple conversations at a time. When at least one chat is selected, the editing options at the bottom of the screen are activated.
Step 5. Click on "Archive"
This button is located in the lower left corner and allows you to remove the chat from the list.
You can also archive it by swiping left on the chat
Step 6. Click on "Delete"
This button is located in the lower right corner and allows you to delete selected chats.
Deleted chats cannot be recovered
Step 7. Click on "Read" or "Unread"
This option is located at the bottom of the screen (center) and allows you to indicate whether a chat has been read or not.
- You can also swipe right on a chat to indicate whether it has already been read or not.
- You can also hold down a chat to access all the editing options (mute it, archive it, indicate if it has already been read or unread, delete it). After a few seconds the chat will open and you can slide your finger up to see the list of these buttons.
Step 8. Tap on a chat to open it
Its content will be displayed on the screen.
Step 9. Press and hold a message in a chat
A pop-up will appear with a list of buttons available for making changes to the selected message.
The options are not displayed all at once. You can tap the left or right arrow to scroll through the various editing options
Step 10. Press the "Reply" button to quote the message when replying
This opens a new window. Inside it will be quoted the selected message, so that you can reply directly.
Step 11. Press the star button to save a message as a favorite
You will be able to access your favorite messages from the chat list. Just click on "Important Messages" in the menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
You can tap the star button a second time to delete a message from your favorites
Step 12. Click on the "Info" button to see the information regarding the delivery of the message
This option allows you to view the time when the message was actually delivered and whether it was read or not.
Step 13. Click on "Delete" to remove a message
Deleted messages cannot be recovered
Step 14. Click on the "Copy" button
The content of the message will then be copied to the clipboard and can be pasted elsewhere.
Step 15. Click on the "Submit" button
You will be redirected to your contact list to select the people you want to forward the message to.
Method 3 of 3: Using WhatsApp Web
Step 1. Visit WhatsApp Web using a browser
You will be prompted to scan a QR code with WhatsApp.
Step 2. Open the WhatsApp application on your device
Step 3. Press the button of the three vertical dots (Android) or the "Settings" (iOS)
The dots are located in the upper right corner, while the "Settings" button in the lower menu bar. This will open a menu with various options.
Step 4. Select "WhatsApp Web"
WhatsApp will ask you for permission to access the device's camera.
Step 5. Click on "Allow"
WhatsApp will activate the device's camera, with a box in the center of the screen to scan the code.
Step 6. Scan the QR code in the browser window
Align the scan area with the QR code and access to your account will take place automatically in the browser, opening the WhatsApp Web service. The chats are listed in the left panel and the message content is displayed in the right window instead.
- The code will expire after a few minutes of waiting. If this happens, it will turn gray and you will be prompted to reload it. Click on the reload button in the center of the code to get a new one (no need to reload the whole page).
- This procedure only needs to be done once, unless you delete your browser data.
Step 7. Hover the mouse cursor over a chat
A down arrow will appear on the right side of the conversation.
Step 8. Click on the down arrow
Once you click on it, a menu with various options will open.
Step 9. Select "Archive Chat" to archive the conversation
To remove a chat from the archive, you can use the search bar located at the top of the conversation list. Search the chat by entering the contact name or subject. Then, hover your mouse cursor over the chat, click the down arrow to open the drop-down menu and select "Extract chat from archive"
Step 10. Select "Turn off notifications" to silence a particular conversation
You will be able to start receiving notifications again by selecting "Activate notifications".
Step 11. Select "Delete Chat"
The chats are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Step 12. Select "Mark as unread"
This will indicate that a chat has not been read.
Step 13. Click on a chat to open it
The content of the messages will be displayed on the right side.
Step 14. Hover the mouse cursor over a message
A down arrow will appear on the right side of the message.
Step 15. Click on the down arrow
Once you click on it, a menu with various options will open.
Step 16. Select "Message Info"
This will open a window that will allow you to see the reading and delivery times of the selected message.
Click on the "X" at the top left of the information window to close it
Step 17. Select "Forward Message"
Checkboxes will appear next to chat messages. Select to add messages to the list, then click the "Forward" button in the lower right corner to select the contacts you want to send messages to.
Step 18. Select "Important Message" to save it as a favorite
You can access important messages by clicking on the three vertical dots at the top of the chat list and selecting "Important".
