How to Search Messages on WhatsApp

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To search messages on WhatsApp on an iPhone, go to Chats → swipe down on your screen → tap “Search” → type in your search term → select a conversation from the results.

Quick Steps

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats button.
  2. On Android, click on the magnifying glass icon.
  3. Type in the Search bar and press Enter on your phone keyboard to search.
  4. Scroll through the returned chats that match your search term.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

iPhone

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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will reveal the Search bar. [1]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [2]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can search for messages that were sent or contacts that you've chatted with. WhatsApp will search all of your conversations to find matches.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the conversation and highlight your search term in it. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Android

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    You can find this in your list of apps.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [4]
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    This can be found at the top of the screen. [5]
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    You can search for content inside of conversations, as well as contacts that you have chatted with. [6]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid8258030-v4-728px-Search-Messages-on-WhatsApp-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    All of the results that match your query will be displayed. Tap one to open it with your search term highlighted.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=iphone
      2. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=iphone
      3. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=iphone
      4. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=android
      5. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=android
      6. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/1131773267485499/?cms_platform=android

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