WhatsApp Mute vs. Archive: Understand the Differences

Quick Tips

• Muting a conversation will not notify you of any new messages. You can mute it for 8 hours, a day, or forever.
• Archiving a conversation hides it from the chat window. You can find it in the Archived section at the top of your chats.
• However, you will still receive notifications for calls even after muting or archiving a conversation.

What Is Mute on WhatsApp

Muting someone on WhatsApp stops message notifications from them. You can mute a conversation for 8 hours, a week, or Always.

How to Mute a Conversation on WhatsApp

On Android

Tap and Hold a conversation you want to mute. You can also select multiple chat threads. Tap the mute icon at the top and select 8 hours, 1 week, or always.

On iPhone

Swipe left on a chat, tap on More, and select Mute. Tap to choose 8 hours, 1 week, or Always.

When you mute a WhatsApp group, the app only sends a notification if you are mentioned during a conversation. You can always unmute a conversation using the same steps above.

What Is Archive on WhatsApp

When you archive a conversation, it doesn’t appear in the Chats tab but keeps it hidden inside the Archived section.

How to Archive a Chat on WhatsApp

• On Android: Tap and hold a Conversation > tap the Archive icon at the top.
• On iPhone: Swipe left on a conversation > select Archive.

This hides the conversation under the Archived menu on top of all chats.

By default, you will not receive notifications for new messages in archived conversations, and they will remain hidden.

To change these settings, go to Chat settings in WhatsApp and turn off Keep Chats Archived.

Note: When you mute or archive a chat, WhatsApp only silences or hides incoming messages. If the person calls you on WhatsApp, your phone rings with a full-size calling banner. Further, the app doesn’t notify the person when you mute or archive a conversation.