Facebook Messenger is a widely popular messaging app, used by millions of people across the world. It allows us to connect with friends and family through chat, voice call, video call, or even group chats. And like other messaging apps, it comes with features that make messaging more convenient. One of these is the ability to archive messages. Archived messages are not deleted, but instead, they are moved to a different folder to keep your inbox tidy. However, if you want to delete some or all of your archived messages, you may have trouble finding the option to do so. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the steps on how to delete an archive message on Messenger.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we proceed to the steps, there are some things you’ll need:
- A Facebook account
- The Facebook Messenger app installed on your device
- Internet connection
What Requires Your Focus?
When you are deleting an archived message on Facebook Messenger, be sure to focus on the following:
- Make sure you want to delete the archived message because it can’t be undone.
- Be sure the message you want to delete is archived; if it isn’t, archiving it is the first step.
- Be aware of the limitations of the Facebook Messenger app.
- Stay focused during the process, so you don’t delete the wrong message.
Different Methods to Delete an Archived Message on Messenger
Method 1: Deleting Archived Messages via Messenger App
The first method we’ll cover is deleting archived messages via the Messenger app on your mobile device.
Pros:
- Easy to follow.
- You can delete multiple archived messages at once.
- It works on both Android and iOS devices.
Cons:
- It lacks flexibility.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Messenger app on your mobile device.
- Tap on your profile picture that appears at the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select "Archived Messages” located under your profile information.
- Select the conversation containing the archived messages you want to delete.
- Hold down on the message or messages you want to delete and tap "Delete" in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to delete each message by tapping "Delete" again.
Pros:
- It’s quick and easy.
- It works well for those who are pressed for time.
Cons:
- It only deletes one message at a time, making it a tedious process if you have multiple messages to delete.
- It doesn’t let you preview messages before deleting them.
- It doesn’t work on desktop versions of Messenger.
Method 2: Deleting Archived Messages via Facebook Desktop Website
The second method is deleting archived messages via the Facebook website on your desktop computer or laptop.
Pros:
- You can delete multiple archived messages at once.
- It works on both Mac and Windows operating systems.
- You can easily preview messages before deleting them.
Cons:
- It’s not intuitive.
- It requires more steps compared to the mobile app.
Here are the steps:
- Open Facebook on your desktop computer or laptop.
- Log in to your account.
- Click on the Messenger icon located on the top-right corner of the screen.
- Click on the three-dot icon in the chat list on the left side of the screen.
- Select "Archived Messages” from the dropdown menu.
- Select the conversation containing the archived messages you want to delete.
- Hold down on the message or messages you want to delete and click "Delete" in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to delete each message by clicking "Delete" again.
Pros:
- It’s flexible to use.
- It’s the most detailed method of deleting archived messages; you can review multiple messages before deleting them.
Cons:
- It’s time-consuming if you have millions of messages to delete.
- It’s only available for desktop and laptop computers.
Method 3: Deleting Archived Messages via Facebook on Mobile Browser
The third method is deleting archived messages via Facebook’s mobile browser instead of using the Messenger app.
Pros:
- It’s great for those who don’t have access to the Messenger app.
- You can delete multiple archived messages at once.
- It’s available for Android and iOS devices alike.
Cons:
- The process takes longer than using the Messenger app.
Here are the steps:
- Open your mobile browser and go to Facebook.com.
- Log in to your account.
- Click on the Messenger icon located on the top-right corner of the screen, represented by a chat bubble.
- Select “Archived Messages” located at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the conversation containing the archived messages you want to delete.
- Hold down on the message or messages you want to delete and tap "Delete" in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to delete each message by tapping "Delete" again.
Pros:
- You can preview messages before deleting them.
- It supports both Android and iOS devices.
Cons:
- It requires more steps compared to the mobile app.
- You have to open Facebook on your mobile browser instead of using the app.
Why Can’t I Delete All Messages on Messenger?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to delete all or some of your archived messages on Messenger:
- If you have an active internet connection, Messenger may be syncing with Facebook servers and preventing you from deleting messages.
- There’s a chance you don’t have the required permissions to delete messages on Messenger.
- If the message is also archived on Facebook.com, you may need to delete it from there first.
The easiest fix to these problems is to ensure you have a stable internet connection. Use the methods outlined above to delete your messages, and if problems persist, reach out to Facebook Support for assistance.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting messages on Messenger is a necessary process that ensures you keep your chats organized and avoid having too much clutter in your inbox. We recommend that you use one of the methods outlined above to delete archived messages regularly. You don’t necessarily have to delete all your messages in one go; instead, you can delete them over time, depending on your preferences. Also, keep in mind that it’s not possible to recover deleted messages, so only delete messages that you’re sure you won’t need in the future.
5 FAQs about Deleting Archived Messages on Messenger
Q1. Can I recover deleted messages on Messenger?
A1. No, deleted messages cannot be recovered on Messenger.
Q2. Can I delete messages on Messenger without archiving them?
A2. Yes, it’s possible to delete messages directly without archiving them first. However, archived messages help keep your inbox clean by removing them from your view.
Q3. Can I delete all archived messages in one go?
A3. Yes and no. If you’re using the Messenger app or Facebook’s mobile browser, you’ll have to delete each message separately. However, on the Facebook website on your desktop or laptop computer, you can delete multiple archived messages at once.
Q4. What happens to messages after I delete them from the chat history?
A4. Deleted messages are permanently removed from both your chat history and Facebook servers.
Q5. How long does it take Facebook to completely delete messages?
A5. Once you delete a message on Messenger, the process is instant. However, the deletion process from Facebook’s servers may take some time, usually up to 90 days.
In Conclusion
Deleting archived messages on Messenger is a crucial step in keeping your chat history organized and reducing clutter in your inbox. You can use any of the methods outlined in this blog post, depending on your preferences and device. Remember to focus on what’s necessary when deleting messages and to back up any data you might need in the future. If you experience difficulty deleting messages, reach out to Facebook Support for help.