WhatsApp has recently rolled out a new feature that automatically archives new chats from unknown contacts after 24 hours. This has caused confusion and frustration for many users who are used to having all their messages readily available in the main Chats tab.
What is the new Archived Chats feature?
The Archived Chats feature is designed to help users manage message overload and keep their WhatsApp experience focused on important conversations. When enabled, any new chat from an unknown contact (not in your address book) will automatically be archived after 24 hours. Archived chats move to a separate Archived Chats tab and no longer show up in your main Chats list.
The feature is optional and is disabled by default. Users have to manually enable it in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Keep Chats Archived.
Why did WhatsApp add this feature?
WhatsApp introduced the Archived Chats feature to help reduce message clutter and spam. The company explained in an official blog post:
“Our goal is to reduce message overload and keep the focus on important conversations. Archived chats will now remain archived and muted but you can always unarchive or unmute any archived chat.”
As WhatsApp continues to grow in popularity worldwide, users often get bombarded with messages from unknown contacts, businesses, and spammers. This makes it harder to keep up with personal conversations. Auto-archiving chats from strangers after 24 hours aims to declutter the inbox and highlight conversations that matter.
Common user concerns about archived messages
While the Archived Chats feature intends to enhance the messaging experience, many users have expressed concerns about auto-archiving new chats:
- Important messages from new contacts get archived
- Difficult to find or access archived messages
- No notification when a chat is archived
- Feels like messages are being hidden or deleted
- Harder to follow up on inquiries and leads
Users want to be in control of archiving chats, especially from new contacts that may be important. The automated nature of this new feature has raised complaints.
How does auto-archiving work?
When Archived Chats is enabled in settings, WhatsApp will automatically archive new chats that meet the following criteria:
- The chat is from an unknown contact not saved in your address book
- The chat has been inactive for 24 hours
If you reply to an archived chat within 24 hours, it will unarchive and move back to the Chats tab. But if left untouched for 24 hours, it will remain archived.
Can users turn off auto-archiving?
Yes, the Archived Chats feature is optional and disabled by default. Users can turn it off anytime in WhatsApp Settings:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Go to Chats
- Toggle off ‘Keep Chats Archived’
With auto-archiving disabled, new chats will never get automatically archived, regardless of contact.
How to find and access archived messages
Archived chats move to a separate Archived Chats tab in WhatsApp. To view and access archived messages:
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap on ‘Archived Chats’ tab at the top
- Scroll through and select any archived chat
- Read old messages and reply if needed
Users can also search for archived chats by contact name or number using the Search bar.
How to unarchive chats
Unarchiving a chat is easy – it restores the chat back into the main Chats tab.
- Go to Archived Chats tab
- Tap and hold the archived chat
- Select ‘Unarchive chat’ option
The chat will now show up again in the Chats tab and new messages won’t get auto-archived.
Pros of archived chats feature
While auto-archiving has its pitfalls, the feature also offers some benefits:
- Reduces message clutter and noise
- Highlights important conversations
- Keeps inbox clean and organized
- Cuts down on distraction from random messages
- Discourages spam by removing it from sight
Cons of archived chats feature
Some drawbacks and criticisms of the new feature include:
- Important messages can get archived by accident
- No notification when a chat gets archived
- User loses control over archiving process
- Hard to keep track of archived messages
- Feels like messages are being hidden from users
Tips for managing Archived Chats
Here are some tips to effectively use the Archived Chats tool without losing important messages:
- Disable auto-archiving if you prefer manual control
- Frequently check the Archived tab for missed messages
- Unarchive chats from contacts you want to keep track of
- Use Search to look for archived messages
- Mute notifications from unimportant archived chats
- Add important new contacts to address book
- Provide feedback to WhatsApp on improving feature
The future of Archived Chats
The Archived Chats feature is still in early stages and WhatsApp will likely refine it over time based on user feedback. Possible changes may include:
- Making auto-archive time longer than 24 hours
- Notifications when a chat is archived
- Allow users to selectively archive specific chats
- Advanced search filters for archived messages
- Options to permanently delete archived chats
For now, users have to manually manage archived chats to avoid losing context. But the feature has potential to reduce clutter if implemented properly after iteration and feedback.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s new Archived Chats feature aims to organize your inbox by automatically archiving unused chats from unknown contacts after 24 hours. This reduces spam and clutter but can also inadvertently archive important messages and cause frustration.
Users have to proactively manage archived messages to avoid missing key information. While auto-archiving needs improvement based on user feedback, it shows WhatsApp’s efforts to enhance messaging and keep the focus on meaningful conversations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces message clutter | May archive important chats |
| Highlights key conversations | No notification when archived |
| Keeps inbox organized | Loss of user control |
| Cuts down on distractions | Hard to find archived messages |
| Discourages spam | Feels like messages are hidden |
The ideal solution may be allowing users to selectively archive specific chats they want to declutter. For now, manually unarchiving important chats and providing user feedback can help shape this feature into something more useful.
As WhatsApp continues innovating to optimize messaging and cater to evolving user needs in different markets, we can expect more changes aimed at elevating the communication experience. The Archived Chats feature is a work-in-progress with significant room for improvement in giving users greater transparency and control.