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How to search WhatsApp
Android
iOS
You can search chats for messages, photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio, and documents using the WhatsApp search feature.
Search chats with a keyword
The search feature allows you to search your chats with a keyword.
- Tap Search.
- Type the word or phrase you’re looking for in the Search field.
- Tap a result to open that message in the chat.
Search for media with filters
You can also search your chats for media such as photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio, and documents, by using filters in the search feature.
- Tap Search.
- Type the word or phrase you’re looking for in the Search field.
- Select the media type you want to search.
- Tap a result to open that message in the chat.
Filter media by content type
You can view all photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio, or documents.
- Tap Search.
- Tap Photos, Videos, Links, GIFs, Audio, or Documents to view media in that category.
Search an individual or group chat
- Open an individual or group chat.
- Tap More options> Search.
- Enter a keyword in the search bar.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon to search.
Search for groups
Groups that you're a part of can be found in the Chats tab. You can also search for a group by its subject or contents.
- If you can't find a group, be sure to check the Archived Chats section within the Chats tab.
- If you don't see the group you're looking for in the Chats tab, you might not be a participant.
- If you’d like to join a group, you'll have to ask the group admin to add you or send you an invite link.
- You can't separate groups from individual chats in the Chats tab.
- You can pin a group for easy access. Learn how to pin a chat in this article.
Note: If you’ve recently restored your WhatsApp chat history, it can take up to three days to recreate the search database, depending on the size of your chat history. Do not force-close WhatsApp during this time.
