How to Search Messages on WhatsApp

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 1, 2020

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
iPhone

1
Tap the WhatsApp app on your Home screen.
2
Tap Chats.
3
Swipe down. This will reveal the Search bar.
4
Tap the Search bar.
5
Type a search term. 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
Tap a conversation from the search results. This will open the conversation and highlight your search term in it.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Android

1
Tap the WhatsApp app. You can find this in your list of apps.
2
Tap the Chats tab.
3
Tap the magnifying glass button. This can be found at the top of the screen.
4
Type your search term. You can search for content inside of conversations, as well as contacts that you have chatted with.
5
Tap the search result you want to open. All of the results that match your query will be displayed. Tap one to open it with your search term highlighted.