It's a WhatsApp and Partner one....

[Overthinker2024]

Casually glanced at partner's phone when he was on WhatsApp. At the top of the chats was an 'archived' folder, it wasn't there the last time we were looking at a family chat message on his phone. So it's recently appeared.

I've figured out an Archived folder stays at the top of chats if you still receive messages from whoever you archived.

Hmmm has made my spidey senses tingle a bit.

Can anyone shed any light if this seems suspicious? Or am I being daft? Thanks!

YABU to think this is a sign of anything dodgy. I archive lots of chats, mostly group chats that I don't want to see notifications for all the time. I know my DH has an archive folder on WhatsApp, I couldn't care less what's in it because I don't have concerns that's he's cheating. What's made you come to that conclusion? It must be more than WhatsApp.

My "archived" folder is at the top of my chat list, and I've only ever archived one chat which was at the start of 2023. I have an iPhone if that helps/is relevant.

My Android phone had an update in May. Amongst other things WhatsApp updated, it's appearance changed at the top & bottom of the screen. Including an archive folder which I'd never seen before.

To those asking why a person would archive a chat to hide it when they could use the hide facility, well, maybe they haven't yet noticed the facility. It's fairly new so a seasoned WA user would probably rely on archive if they wanted to hide a chat?

I have an archive folder at the top of mine. It has no unread messages in it. Mostly full of old group chats from years ago. Not everyone uses WhatsApp in the same way. I never delet anything (which would horrify some people!)

Thank you for all your responses. I know I'm deeply insecure. He has done nothing but adore me, I'm just so aware of his past and women falling over themselves to talk to him.
I think I will let this go.

Mine's at the top, I haven't changed any settings at all, I really wouldn't worry about this

I archive all group chats as I can’t be arsed with the constant updates. That way I look when I feel like it and I can see that there have been new posts but not which group chat they are on. Things like kids’ sports teams chat, some of the parents use it as a place to banter, I just want to know where and when the next match is. Or random group chats between old friends. Plus my current work team are so deadly dull and boring I can’t bear to read the ‘Take a Break’ or motivational quote style drivel they share in the group chat. But I can’t leave those groups as I either need to see what’s happening, enjoy dipping in from time to time or don’t want to cause offence, so I archive them. Current chats with individual people regarding specific arrangements are in my main screen. General chats with individual mates get deleted. I like to see without scrolling what is in my “live” chats, so archive really helps keep things separate and anything new easy to see.

Maybe that’s what he’s done, I really am glad you are going to try and stop thinking about the reason for the archive appearing - it may always have been there, it depends how many things are in my current chat page if I can see it at the top or not. Hope you manage to get past your feelings of paranoia about other women, that can’t be good for you.

Just have a nosey and update us OP I'm invested now

Oh sweet summer child…

I feel your pain OP I am a massive overthinker and worrier but I wouldn't be like this if I wasn't wrong in the past and people didn't lie and treat me in such a way to cause it. My approach would be next time ur beside him and he's on whatsapp just casually say oh babe whats that I didn't notice that before? Hel say its an archive chat maybe and then be like ooh what are you hiding in a jokey way. If you need him to open whatsapp send a link or a gif and be like oh did u see that thing I sent u he will probably open it then when by you. I may get slammed for this but I have anxiety im on medication and I am the way I am from trusting in the past giving my all and people taking advantage of that and the minute I get comfortable and give my all they are secretly messaging someone else in every single relationship 🙃 hey hoe single it is :) best of luck op your partner sounds like a good one so may be nothing

Also to those saying could be a group chat you can just silence notifications so wouldn't need to archive. I have known people to archive chats like business related and keep normal chats with friends separate. I dont work in business and my brain would not be this organized I wouldn't of even thought of doing that so it may well be nothing

It’s the locked chats that you need to be suspicious of! On WhatsApp drag the screen down and if there’s a locked folder it has chats which need fingerprint to open

I haven't archived any chats recently, and mine appeared at the top of the list recently - some update from WhatsApp I presume.

However, it isn't odd to archive chats. WhatsApp is really useful for an event, or a meet up - once that's gone, the chat can go.

You've admitted this is your own insecurities. Might be worth trying to work on that before accusing him of anything, over nothing.

If he wanted to hide a WhatsApp chat he would have used the 'lock chat' feature which locks and actually hides it. I think you are being suspicious for absolutely no reason. But ift bothering you that much be an adult and ask him about it.

I use archive to avoid messages that are trigger or don't want to deal with. It creates a buffer and stops me engaging straight away as it's out of site out of mind. Also it can be moved for old chats, and chat groups that aren't used. I frequently do a digital detox and remove digital noise and archive stuff I don't use anymore.
If his app was recently updated it might have been added as it is a standard function in app - he might not be using it?

But it's still in the list if it's silenced. In archived it's moved to another list which gives physical space from it which I find highly beneficial.

This is so healthy. You got this!

I agree with others this is a non issue and possibly you being insecure as he has given you no other signs that he could be cheating.
If it bothers you that much just be honest an ask but be prepared for the backlash.

As I would not be happy if my partner insinuated I was cheating or talking to other people.

I have an archived folder. And it contains chats I don't use often such as work people, contractors etc who I don't chat with regularly and don't want taking up my main chat feed. If a chat does come through the archive folder it has a little number next to it (1) to say there's a message in there. I wouldn't jump straight to him being sneaky if you trust him otherwise.

Unless you don't already trust your husband, I wouldn't worry. I archive lots of chats, particularly group chats which go off incessantly and I can't be bothered to deal with them. Yes I know I could mute then but then I still see the messages when I open WhatsApp and I just can't be bothered to engage in the drama so archived messages works better for me.

@Overthinker2024 I have a ton of archived chats. Mainly just chats I’ve been added to and I don’t want to leave but don’t have the capacity to keep up with the chit chat.
It keeps me focused on priority conversations with close family/friends who need my support etc.

Is there a reason you are suspicious? I never think to look at my husband’s phone because I trust him. I do think you should give some thought to that.

he would of used the ‘locked chats’ feature if he was up to no good i imagine.

honestly, have a gander, the women on here telling you not to look definitely would themselves in your position.

I have loads of chats archived. Everything work related while I'm on Maternity, Some group chats I'm not engaged with, and often my Mum because she can be fucking relentless and it stresses me out, so I check when I've got the time, rather than getting dozens of notifications a day.

Why does this mean he’s cheating?! Honestly, the constant immediate reactions of that being the answer on here are ridiculous. I have the same, I archive groups and that folder just sits at the top. Some of them I don’t leave and check because they go off so often it annoys me. If I was going to chest and use WhatsApp to do it I’d just delete the chat each time, I’d have thought that would be the obvious solution.