/_next/static/media/light-leak-dark.6c3d27c6.png
thumbnail

Facebook Messenger Archive Vs Delete

https://cdn.sanity.io/images/1awf4j9a/production/a6c0362067301cf3cccf8abfeee15bc959320119-60x60.jpg?auto=format

Jaeyou Park

Marketing Associate

November 27, 2018

In this article

As with most platforms, archiving something is very different from deleting something. Facebook Messenger's archive and delete functions can be just as confusing as on WhatsApp or Gmail.

Facebookwas hardly going to be left in the blue when it came to advancements, was it? On Messenger, archiving a conversation hides that message in the "archived" box. Deleting, on the other hand, permanently removes the message and its history.

There are reasons for doing both, and neither should be taken personally. Sometimes you're pulled into chats with people you hardly know. Or, you just might be fed up from the constant low-ballers on the Facebook Marketplace.

Drop the guilt! We all do it - here's how you can do it right on your computer, too. Don't have Messenger on your desktop yet? Our guide on how to login to Messenger on your desktop has you covered.

How to archive and delete Facebook messages

Archive a message on Messenger

1. Launch Shiftto open your Messenger
2. Open the message you want to archive
3. Click the gear icon for "Options"
4. Scroll and select "Archive"

facebook messenger archive

Locate your archived messages
Once you archive any messages, they'll stay in the archive pretty much forever. Now that's commitment. ?

1. Open your message inbox
2. Click the gear icon for "Options"
3. Scroll to "Archived Threads"

facebook messenger locate archived messages

Note: After you've archived a chat, the chat will show back up in your inbox if you message that person or the person messages you.

Delete a message on Messenger
Remember that once you've deleted a conversation, it's gone forever. If you're still sure about this, follow the steps below:

1. Open Messenger on your desktop via Shift
2. Locate the conversation you want to delete
3. Click "Options"
4. Hit "Delete"

facebook messenger delete messages

Remember, you can also use Facebook Messenger on your desktop. How? Shiftof course! If you haven't tried Shift yet, you are missing out. Check out hundreds of apps you can manage all in Shift here.

Share:

Related Articles


https://cdn.sanity.io/images/1awf4j9a/production/2541c2c322a67736e52abe314f294294e2245dae-1152x600.jpg?auto=format
December 11, 2025

From AI music generation with Suno to effortless scheduling with Notion Calendar, discover the 5 apps set to dominate 2026 and how to integrate them seamlessly into your setup.

thumbnail
November 10, 2025

Black Friday 2025 isn’t about chasing every deal, it’s about shopping smarter. From the best shopping apps to cash-back tools and resale platforms, this guide shows how to save money, stay organized, and keep your browser (and your budget) under control during the most chaotic shopping season of the year.

thumbnail
March 25, 2025

As a student, you probably don’t want to hear the word “learning” anymore. We get it. However, there are some really innovative apps...

thumbnail
March 06, 2025

Social media moves fast—one day, you're scrolling through viral dances, and the next, your favorite app is in hot water.

Reimagine your browser