Organized Chat Management: Channel archiving provides a clean way to organize your chat interface by moving less active conversations out of the main list while preserving all messages and functionality. Only conversation-type channels support archiving, with a maximum of 100 archived channels per user.
Archive Management
Channel archiving affects only the user who performs the action, providing personalized chat organization without impacting other participants.Archive Channels
Hide from main chat list
- Move channels to separate archived list
- Preserve all messages and functionality
- Personal action affecting only your view
Unarchive Channels
Restore to active list
- Return channels to main chat list
- Maintain original message timestamps
- Continue conversations seamlessly
Archive Operations
Move channel to archived listThe
archiveChannel function allows users to archive a specific conversation channel. Archiving a channel removes it from the active list channel but retains its data for future reference. This function takes one parameter, channelId, which specifies the ID of the channel to be archived.Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
channelId | String | ✅ | Unique identifier of the conversation channel to archive |
Archive Effects
- Effect for the User: The archived chat is hidden from the user’s main chat list view and moved to a separate archived chat list. This action only affects the user who archives the chat; the other participant(s) in the conversation will still see the chat in their main list as usual.
- Messages: Archiving does not delete any messages within the chat. Users can continue sending and receiving messages within the archived chat just like a normal chat.
- Sorting: Chats within the archived list are sorted based on the timestamp of the last message exchanged.
Code Example
Important Considerations
Channel Type Limitation: Only ‘conversation’ type channels (like DMs) can be archived. Community, Live, and Broadcast channels do not support archiving.
Archive Limit: A user can archive a maximum of 100 channels. An error message will be displayed if a user tries to exceed this limit.
Message Behavior in Archived Channels
- Receiving New Messages: If another user sends a message in a chat you have archived, the chat will remain in your archived list. It will not automatically move back to the main chat list.
- Notifications: You will not receive push notifications for new messages arriving in channels you have archived. The system prevents notifications for channels marked as archived by the recipient user.
- Muted Chats: If a chat is muted and then archived, it is treated as a normal, unmuted chat within the archive list regarding its behavior (though notifications remain disabled due to the archive status).
Best Practices
Archive Management Strategy
Archive Management Strategy
Effective channel organization
- Regular Cleanup: Periodically archive inactive conversations to maintain a clean chat list
- Priority Focus: Keep active conversations in main list for easy access
- 100-Channel Limit: Monitor archive count to stay within the maximum limit
- User Education: Inform users about archive functionality and benefits
- Archive completed project conversations
- Move seasonal or event-based chats to archive after completion
- Use archiving for conversations that may need future reference
- Consider user workflow when implementing archive triggers
User Experience Considerations
User Experience Considerations
Seamless archive experience
- Clear Visual Indicators: Show archived status clearly in UI
- Easy Access: Provide simple ways to view and manage archived channels
- Restore Functionality: Make unarchiving intuitive and accessible
- Search Integration: Include archived channels in search when appropriate
- Implement swipe gestures or context menus for quick archiving
- Show archive counts and easy access to archived list
- Provide bulk archive/unarchive operations for power users
- Include archive status in channel information displays
Notification & Communication
Notification & Communication
Managing archived channel communications
- Notification Strategy: Understand that archived channels don’t send push notifications
- Message Continuity: Ensure users understand messages continue in archived channels
- Participant Impact: Communicate that archiving is personal and doesn’t affect others
- Recovery Process: Make it easy to find and unarchive important conversations
- Set expectations about notification behavior for archived channels
- Provide clear guidance on when to archive vs delete conversations
- Implement search functionality that can find messages in archived channels
- Consider periodic reminders about archived conversations with new activity
Next Steps
Channel Members
Manage channel membership and permissions
Query Channels
Search and filter channels with advanced criteria
Update Channels
Modify channel properties and settings
Archive Strategy: Use archiving as a way to maintain focus on active conversations while preserving access to historical chats. Remember that archived channels still receive messages but don’t generate notifications, making them perfect for less urgent ongoing conversations.