How to open the archive on your phone

Android and iPhone

  1. Open Telegram and select All Chats if you use folders.
  2. Scroll to the top. Pull the chat list down if Archived Chats is hidden.
  3. Open Archived Chats, then select a conversation.

If the gesture does not work, check that you are in the conversation list rather than inside a chat or search results. Labels and controls can differ between app versions.

Where to find the archive on desktop

  1. Open the full chat list in Telegram Desktop.
  2. Look for Archived Chats near the top. If you previously hid it, check the main menu.
  3. Open the conversation you need.

Telegram Desktop and the separate Telegram for macOS app use different interfaces. If you cannot locate the folder, search for the participant and check that you are using the correct account.

How to unarchive a Telegram chat

Inside the archive, select the conversation: long-press it on Android, swipe left for its actions on iPhone, or right-click it on desktop. Choose Unarchive, then check All Chats.

This moves the conversation; it does not recover deleted text. You can read an archived chat without moving it back to your main list.

How to archive a chat

You do not need to create a separate archive first. Select Archive for a conversation using its swipe action or selection menu on mobile, or its context menu on desktop. Check that you chose Archive rather than Delete.

For separate Work and Personal lists, use chat folders. An archive and custom folders serve different purposes.

Why a chat is missing or leaves the archive

Check your account, search and the full chat list. An empty archive may mean the conversation is elsewhere. Notification and archive settings affect whether an incoming message moves a chat back out; review them if it keeps returning.

If messages are missing inside an open conversation, unarchiving will not bring them back. Follow the missing-chat or deleted-message guide instead.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bot to open the archive?

No. Archiving and unarchiving are built-in Telegram features.

Is the archive a deleted-message bin?

No. It changes where an existing chat appears; it is not an automatic collection of deleted-message copies.

Sources and review

Proof X editorial team · Documentation reviewed October 13, 2026. Menus depend on your client and version; this does not claim hands-on testing on every device.