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How to Hide and Unhide WhatsApp Chat on Android and iPhone

Elsa Updated on Sep 19, 2024 Filed to: Parent Control

WhatsApp remains the undisputable quick chat app for both mobile and desktop users. It currently has well over 2 billion active monthly users. You are likely reading this article because you also use WhatsApp's web or mobile app. No matter who you are chatting with, you expect your conversations to be kept private.

WhatsApp does a lot to ensure that its users enjoy privacy benefits. However, you may leave your phone where unwanted eyes can pry at your chat. In this article, we want to explore how to take your chat privacy a notch higher with the hide and unhide feature. Aside from the commonly used archive feature, we will show you how to keep your chat from prying eyes.

Part 1. How to Hide and Unhide WhatsApp Chat via Archive

WhatsApp already provides its users with a generic means of hiding their chats. It means the Archive feature. This section will show you everything you need to know about the feature.

1.1What Is WhatsApp Archived Chat?

WhatsApp archive is the native solution for the app users to keep a chat they do not want to see away. It works for both contacts and group chats. Your chats are not deleted; instead, they are kept in an archive folder on the app where you can access them.

However, the feature now works better than it did before. Before its recently updated, the feature allowed hidden chats to reappear in the chat menu once there was a new message. Now, you can permanently keep a chat away from prying eyes with the feature. Furthermore, users can determine if they want a chat to stay hidden or reappear when receiving new messages.

To set WhatsApp chats on your Android to stay archived:

Go to your WhatsApp Settings and click on chat. You will see the option to Keep chats archived.
Toggle the button in front of it on or off.

You can also access the function on the archive page. Click on the hamburger icon at the top of the page, and you will see the same feature.

Lastly, you will notice where it says, "These chats stay archived when new messages are received. Tap to change." You can click on the message to change it. The archive feature allows you to hide all your WhatsApp chats simultaneously.

1.2Hide and Unhide Some WhatsApp Messages on the Android

Here is how to hide and unhide WhatsApp chats on Android devices.

Hide Android Messages

Step 1: Navigate to the chat you want to archive.
Step 2: Hold down your finger on the chat until it is marked.
Step 3: Tap on the square-shaped icon with an arrow pointing down your screen.

Unhide Android Messages

Step 1: Open the archived chats menu at the top of your screen by clicking the Archived button.

Step 2: Navigate to the chat you want to unarchive.
(You can skip the processes above by using the search bar to find the chat you want to unarchive.)
Step 3: Hold down your finger on the chat you want to unhide until it is marked.
Step 4: Tap on the square-shaped icon with an arrow pointing at the top of your screen.

1.3Hide and Unhide Some WhatsApp Messages on iPhone

Here is how to hide and unhide WhatsApp chats on iPhone.

Hide an iPhone Messages

Step 1: Navigate to the chat you want to archive.
Step 2: Swipe left on the chat
Step 3: Click on Archive.

Unhide an iPhone Messages

Step 1: Select Archived Chats at the top of your screen. (Alternatively, use the search bar to find the chat you want to unarchive.)

Step 2: Swipe left on the chat you want to unhide.
Step 3: Click on Unarchive.

1.4Hide and Unhide All WhatsApp Chats (Android & iPhone)

Here is how to hide and unhide WhatsApp chats on Android and iPhone simultaneously.

Hide All Android and iPhone Messages at Once

Step 1: Open Settings in your WhatsApp.
Step 2: Click on Chats.
Step 3: Tap on Chat history.
Step 4: Select Archive All Chats.

Unhide All Messages at Once

Step 1: Follow the same steps to archive all messages on iPhone or Android.
Step 2: Select Unarchive All Chats at the last step of each device.

Part 2. How to Hide and Unhide WhatsApp Chat without Archive

If you do not want to use WhatsApp native archive solution, this section provides two other alternatives.

2.1GBWhatsApp App

GBWhatsApp has been around for a while and has helped its users access features not available on the official chatting app. For example, users have an actual hide and unhide feature with the cloned WhatsApp version. Here is how to archive WhatsApp chat without deleting it with GBWhatsApp.

Hide an Android Chat or Group with GbWhatsApp

Step 1: Navigate to the chat you want to hide.
Step 2: Hold down your finger on the chat until it is marked.
Step 3: Click the hamburger icon at the top of your screen.
Step 4: Click on Hide from the options menu displayed on your screen.

Step 5: The app will ask you to set a pattern.
Step 6: Once you have set the pattern, your chat is hidden safely.

Unhide an iPhone Chat or Group with GbWhatsApp

Step 1: Click the WhatsApp text on the top left side of your GbWhatsApp screen.
Step 2: Enter your lock pattern.
Step 3: Hold down your finger on the chat you want to unhide until it is selected.
Step 4: Click Mark Chat as Visible from the options menu on your screen.

2.2With Password

There are several lock options that you can use to ensure the privacy of your chats further. WhatsApp provides a lock option that uses biometrics like fingerprint or face scanning. Hence, this feature is restricted to only apps that have biometric features. However, you can proceed to third-party apps that will not jeopardize your conversations.An example of such an app is AppLock for WhatsApp.

It helps you lock individual chats with passcode, pin, or patterns. Above all, it works on Android and iPhone devices. You can use this app to prevent anyone from opening your WhatsApp without permission. There are phone launchers that provide similar features.

Part 3. Can I Hide WhatsApp Message Content in Notification Bar?

Yes, you can hide WhatsApp message content in the notification bar. When messages come into your phone, they will be displayed on your notification bar or lock screen. These features make it easy for prying eyes to know who messaged you and get a brief of what was sent. However, you can turn off both features.

You can turn off notifications for all messages in your WhatsApp settings. Click on Notifications and pick your preferences. Likewise, your phone settings allow you to hide contents in Notification Bar. Open your Settings and click on Privacy. Click Advanced, then Lock screen or click Notifications on the lock screen directly. Select the middle option of Show sensitive content only when unlocked.

Part 4. Monitor Kid's WhatsApp Chat without Worrying about Being Hidden

You can monitor your kid's sensitive chats on WhatsApp. The law permits you to do so for your dependent kids. To follow up on who they are chatting with and what they are saying, use AirDroid Parental Control. By monitoring their chats, you do not need to worry. In addition, you will be able to find out if they are being cyberbullied, scammed, or targeted by any other form of harm. This app also provides a web version so that you may monitor WhatsApp chats of your child online.

Final Words

WhatsApp does not have hide and unhide features. However, the hide and unhide features are well imitated with the archive function. Archiving and unarchiving your chats and groups will hide them from prying eyes.

However, if you want extra layers of privacy, you can use third-party apps like Lock WhatsApp or GBWhatsApp. These apps have actual hide-and-unhide features. In conclusion, you can monitor your kid's hidden chats to prevent them from danger by using the reliable WhatsApp Tracker.

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Elsa

Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.