Facebook is the largest social media network on the planet, with 1.3 billion active users and 20 billion messages sent each month. Users can use the Messenger app to keep in touch with their friends, but the platform is also used by small businesses and international companies alike.
If you regularly exchange messages with lots of people on Facebook, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why Facebook lets you archive chats you want to put on hold so you can revisit them anytime in the future. Keep reading and learn all about Facebook’s Archive feature.
Exporting Your Messages to the Facebook Archive
You can archive any message or conversation on Facebook with a few simple clicks or taps, depending on the device you are using. However, you can only archive messages via computer, but you can view them from a mobile device at any time. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open your browser and log into your Facebook account.
- Open your desktop Messenger app by clicking the “Message” icon and selecting “See all in Messenger”.
- Find the conversation you want to archive in the left pane.
- Click the three-dot menu icon next to the conversation you want to archive.
- Select the “Archive Chat” option from the list.
All conversation history will disappear from the message stream and will appear in the Archive folder.
Viewing Archived Messages on Desktops
The process for viewing archived messages on Facebook differs slightly on desktop and mobile devices. No need to worry because we will cover both methods. To access the Facebook archive on your desktop, you need to:
- Open your browser and go to Facebook.com.
- Login to your account.
- Select the Messages icon and select “See all in Messenger”.
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper left corner and select “Archived Chats”.
- The folder containing all your archived chats will appear. If you send a reply, the chat will reappear in Messages.
People are often confused when this happens, but replying to an archived chat will reactivate the chat. It is then automatically transferred to the messages folder.
You can also use the “Search Conversations” feature to find a specific message by typing in a keyword used in that conversation.
Viewing Archived Messages on Mobile Devices
You don’t even need to open the Facebook app when viewing archived messages from your mobile device. Facebook Messenger has everything you need to access the archive. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Messenger app on your phone.
- Tap the search bar and type the name of the person whose archived messages you want to view.
- Select the contact you want and you will see the entire conversation.
Backing Up Your Facebook Account
If you want to make sure that your messages on Facebook are protected, you need to back up your account. Repeat the process every two or three months to make sure nothing is lost. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open your Facebook account and open your account settings in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the drop-down menu, then “Settings”.
- Once the setting page loads, click on “Your Facebook Information” on the left side bar and then select “Download Your Information” from the options.
- Select “Request Copy”. In the Date Range, select “All my data” and then click “Create File”. All data, including your conversations, will be downloaded to your computer.
- The download takes some time to complete. Upon completion, you will receive an email with a detailed report.
Tie the donkey to the solid stake
It’s always a good idea to save an old conversation you had with a friend or business partner. Even if your chat with the person is no longer active, you never know when you might need some information. If you want to be extra safe, create a backup of all your Facebook data on your computer. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Have you tried archiving your Facebook messages and chats before? Have you ever made a backup of your Facebook data and why? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.