10 Second Summary 1. Open the Facebook website via a browser or mobile browser. 2. Touch the " Messages " icon (marked with a speech bubble icon). 3. Select See all messages. 4. Select View Archived Messages. 5. Select the message you want to delete. 6. Touch the arrow icon in the upper right corner of the screen. 7. Touch Delete twice.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Deleting Archived Messages on Facebook (Mobile Site)
Step 1. Touch the phone's browser app to open it
While you can't delete archived messages through the Facebook Messenger app, you can still access and delete them via the Facebook mobile site.
Step 2. Visit Facebook
If you have to type in the URL manually (there is no shortcut to Facebook in your browser), type Facebook or its address into the URL bar at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Enter the email address/phone number associated with Facebook and the password
Once done, you can touch the “Log In” button to log into your account.
Step 4. Touch the “Messages” tab
It's at the top of your browser page, right between the “Friend Requests” and “Notifications” icons.
Step 5. Tap on “See all messages” option
It's at the bottom of the “Messages” tab.
Step 6. Select "View Archived Messages"
It's at the bottom of the page so you may have to scroll until you find it.
Step 7. Select the archived messages
After that, the message will be opened and you can delete it through the message window.
Step 8. Touch the arrow icon in the upper right corner of the message interface
It's in the same bar as the recipient's name. Once touched, a pop-up context menu will appear on the screen.
The appearance of the icon may differ depending on the mobile browser you are using. However, the placement usually remains the same, regardless of the platform used
Step 9. Touch "Delete" option
If you're using Safari, you may need to confirm your selection by tapping the “Delete” option in the upper-right corner of the context menu that appears.
Step 10. Touch " Delete " on the next page
This is done to confirm the option of deleting archived messages.
Once you touch the " Delete " option at this stage, your message will be deleted and cannot be recovered
Method 2 of 2: Deleting Archived Messages on Facebook (Desktop Site)
Step 1. Visit the Facebook website
The Facebook Messenger application does not allow you to access archived messages so you will need to use a computer to access them.
If you are not logged into Facebook, type in your email address and password, then click “Log In”
Step 2. Click the “Messages” tab
You can find it at the top right of the Facebook toolbar, between the “Friend Requests” and “Notifications” tabs. The tabs resemble two speech bubbles stacked on top of each other.
Step 3. Click the “See All” option
It's at the bottom of the message drop-down menu. By clicking “See All”, you will be taken to the message library.
Step 4. Click the “More” option
It's above the message list on the left side of the screen. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 5. Click the “Archived” option
After that, a directory of archived messages will be displayed. There, you can delete archived messages.
Step 6. Click the chat or message you want to delete
You need to click on the message from the message list which is on the left side of the screen. Once clicked, the message will appear in the center of the screen.
Step 7. Click the gear icon present in the top right corner of the message
After that, a drop-down menu with options for the message will be displayed.
Step 8. Click the "Delete Conversation" option
Facebook will ask you to confirm your choice before agreeing to the message deletion request.
If you don't think you're ready to delete the chat, but don't want to get any more notifications, you can click on the “Mute Conversation” option
Step 9. Click " Delete Conversation " in the pop-up window that appears
After that, the message will be permanently deleted from the “Messages” directory.
Tips
- Deleting a message or chat from the archived messages directory will not delete the message or chat from your friend's account inbox. The note or copy of the chat will remain, unless he also deletes the message.
- The Facebook mobile app and Messenger app don't have a feature to delete archived messages so you need to do the deletion via the Facebook website.
Warning
- Once you delete an archived message, you can't get it back.
- If you use a data connection to access the Facebook mobile site, you may incur internet charges from your mobile operator.
