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“I want to keep my chat list private but still be able to message them when needed. Sometimes, I don't want certain contacts to be visible on my chat screen, but I also don't want to remove or block them. Is there a way to hide certain contacts on WhatsApp without blocking or deleting them?”
In this article
    1. For Android
    2. For iPhone
    3. For Web
    4. For Desktop
    1. For Android
    2. For iPhone

Privacy is a significant concern in the digital era, as anyone can potentially hack and gain access to your data in seconds. This app simplifies the issue of WhatsApp contacts and messages and provides security with end-to-end encryption. Users can seamlessly utilize these privacy options and learn how to hide contacts on WhatsApp.

Moreover, its features allow users to control their contacts without deleting them. This article will go in-depth, providing the best techniques for hiding your contacts with step-by-step guides. Other than that, you can go through a tool that can help you look up others' online activity without them noticing.

Part 1. What Are the Major Reasons to Hide Your Contacts on WhatsApp?

You must understand the primary reason for learning how to hide contact numbers in WhatsApp. The following are some of the key points that can help if you hide your contacts:

  1. Prevent Decluttering: This method of hiding unimportant or inactive chats can keep the WhatsApp inbox clean and organized.
  2. Avoid Accidental Messages: Users can reduce the risk of sending messages to the wrong person, thus improving communication.
  3. Lost Device Safety: This app's hiding mechanism protects your contacts from being seen by others, especially when you lose them, thus adding an extra layer of security.
  4. Unwanted Attention: Hiding contact can save you from intrusive questions and unnecessary attention from your family or colleagues while you frequently talk to a particular contact.

Part 2. How to Hide Contacts on WhatsApp via the Archive Feature

To understand the key reasons why you might want to hide your chats, you can use the Archive feature of WhatsApp. It allows you to save your chats so that they are not seen on the main list of chats but are not removed. Now, let us proceed and learn how to hide contacts on WhatsApp using the Archive feature:

For Android

Instructions: Open the WhatsApp app on the Android phone, hold and press the desired contact, and tap the “Archived” icon at the top. Now, press the newly appeared “Archived” section and access your chats there.

archive chat on whatsapp android

For iPhone

Instructions: After accessing your iPhone's WhatsApp's "Chats" screen, swipe left on the suitable contact and press “Archive.” Next, head to the “Archived” section and find all your hidden contacts.

continue to archive chat on iphone

For Web

Step 1. Log in to the messaging tool on your browser and right-click the contact you want to hide. After that, click the “Archive Chat” option from the drop-down menu.

choose chat and click archive chat

Step 2. Now, go to the “Archived” tab from the main list and get access to the contacts without deleting them.

locate archived chats whatsapp web

For Desktop

Step 1. Once the computer's messaging utility has been opened, right-click the target contact and choose the “Archive” item from the context menu that appears.

opt for archive on whatsapp desktop

Step 2. Once you archive the contact, click the “Archived Chats” icon in the left pane to find it and utilize it without others knowing.

tap archive icon whatsapp desktop

Part 3. How to Hide WhatsApp Contacts Without the Archive Feature

Use this technique if you want an alternative method to hide your contacts without others accessing them. With the Lock Chat feature of WhatsApp, users can secure specific conversations with a passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID. Moreover, this feature ensures no one can open the locked chats without authentication. Now, follow the steps on how to hide WhatsApp contacts without an archive:

For Android

Step 1. First, choose the chat you want to lock, tap the “Three Vertical Dots” at the top right corner, and press the “Lock Chat” option. Next, when the “Keep this Chat Locked and Hidden” bottom-up menu appears, press the "Continue "button. From here, choose to lock the chat via fingerprint or a password.

lock chat and apply a password

Step 2. Press the "OK" button when the chat is locked and hit the “Locked Chat” tab at the top of the main chat list. Open it with the set password or fingerprint and access its “Chat Lock Settings.” Now, toggle the “Hide Locked Chats” option to hide them on WhatsApp.

enable hide locked chats whatsapp

Step 3. After the option is turned on, hit the “Create Secret Code” button on the next screen and press “Next” once the code is typed. Now, confirm the code, tap “Done,” and search for the hidden locked chats by entering the code.

add secret code to unlock chats

For iPhone

Step 1. Swipe the WhatsApp contact on your iPhone, press the “More” option, and select “Lock Chat” from the bottom menu. Then, hit the “Continue” button on the newly appeared pop-up.

lock chats on whatsapp iphone

Step 2. After that, access the locked chat with your Face ID and tap the “Settings” button at the top right corner. From here, turn on the “Hide Locked Chats” option to open a secret code menu.

activate hide locked chats iphone

Step 3. On the “Hide Locked Chats” menu, click the “Create Secret Code” button, enter the code, and confirm it.

create and add secret code

Pro Tip. Discovering Your WhatsApp Contacts’ Status and Last Seen Details

After discovering how to hide contacts on WhatsApp, you may wonder how to see others’ hidden content. It can be frustrating if someone you know hides their last seen and status on WhatsApp. Therefore, to address this issue, try the WaLastseen app, which can help you reveal the hidden last-seen status of others within seconds. Moreover, this app deeply analyzes app usage and offline activity.

Not only is it one of the simplest messaging app trackers, but it also provides a deep analysis of your contacts. Users can even review the previous data of anyone's status and last-seen details at any time. Furthermore, it has a high rate of successful tracking and ensures you get all the contacts' WhatsApp activity.

Key Features
  1. Track Multiple Contacts: This app lets you add multiple contacts and track their last seen and status activity with consistent, high-quality reports.
  2. Instant Notifications: You can get instant notifications with customization options that let you know whenever the desired contact comes online/offline.
  3. Tagging System: With WaLastseen, users can know the time spent and times at a specified time on WhatsApp, even during sleep time.
Pros
  • This robust WhatsApp tracker lets you download statuses from WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business.
  • All your data is end-to-end encrypted, and your identity and classified information are kept safe and secure.
Con
  • It has only a 3-day free trial, so you cannot access all its robust features.
Comprehensive Guide on How to Track WhatsApp Contacts’ Status and Last Seen Details

After learning about the things WaLastseen is capable of, go through the following steps and learn how to track these things:

Step 1. Install and Allow Contact Information

get it on google playtry it online

Install this WhatsApp online and offline activity tracker on your device, tap the “Add Contacts” button, and permit by pressing the “Allow” option.

allow and add contacts walastseen
Step 2. Add Suitable Contacts and Start Tracking

On the next “Add Contacts” screen, hit the “Add” button next to the desired contact or press “+ Add New” to add a contact. Next, choose a region, write a name, and press the “Start Tracking” button to begin the process.

start tracking added contacts

Step 3. Buy a Plan and Access the Activity Tab

After that, buy a suitable pricing plan by tapping the “Buy Now” button. You can now see all your added contacts. Choose one and review all its statuses and last seen from the “Activity” tab.

buy subscription for unlimited tracking

Conclusion

In summary, this article has explored why you need to know how to hide contacts on WhatsApp. Due to privacy or safety concerns, users found two methods to hide their contacts. Use the messaging app's archive or lock chat features to do so with steps. Aside from that, if you want to see the hidden status and last seen of others, try using the WaLastseen app.

Wondershare Recommends
WaLastseen
  • Track WhatsApp contacts' last seen status.
  • Get instant online and offline notifications of them.
  • Analyze their WhatsApp daily usage.
  • Compare chat probabilities of two contacts.
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FAQs

  • Q1. Can someone tell me if I archive them on WhatsApp?
    No, it does not alert the other person whenever you archive someone's contacts on WhatsApp. They can still send you messages as usual and won't be notified that their chat has been archived.
  • Q2. Will hiding a contact also hide me from them?
    That does not happen unless you adjust your privacy settings; they can still see your profile and online status unless you specifically restrict them.
  • Q3. How do I unhide a contact?
    As you know how to hide a contact number in WhatsApp, you should also remember that unhiding a chat is also straightforward. To find the chat, you must go to the “Archived Chats” folder. Now, for the iPhone, unarchive it by swiping left and selecting the “Unarchive” option on the Android phone.
get it on google playtry it online
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WaLastseen
Stay in the know with your cared ones.
See the online/offline status even of users who have set it to hidden.
Get to know the online/offline status for not one but multiple contac.
Get online/offline notifications in real-time without any delays.
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