Facebook tucks archived posts away in Activity Log, and nobody else can view them. From a computer, go to Settings & Privacy, pick Activity Log, then Archive and Post Archive in the sidebar. In the app, start on your profile, press Options, open Activity Log and press Archive along the top of that screen.
| Setting | Where it sits | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Post Archive | Under Archive in Activity Log | Keeps posts out of sight for everyone but you |
| Filter | Above your log entries | Narrows things to a start and end date |
| Restore to profile | Inside a post's Options | Returns it to its earlier audience |
| Move to Archive | Inside the post itself on desktop | Sends a post to Archive |
| Trash | Separate from Archive | Wipes content after 30 days |
Finding your Post Archive on a computer
It takes five clicks from the top of Facebook.
- Click your picture at the top right of Facebook.
- Click Settings & Privacy.
- Click Activity Log.
- Scroll down the left menu and click Archive.
- Click Post Archive.
If the post you want isn't showing, use the date filter. Click Filter at the top of your activity log, set a start date and an end date, then click Save Changes. Start with a narrow window around when you think you posted it and widen it if nothing shows. It's far quicker than scrolling back through years of activity, and if you're not sure the post was ever archived, the guide to finding old posts on your timeline is the next place to try.
Opening your archive on a phone
- Tap your picture to reach your profile.
- Tap Options below your picture.
- Tap Activity Log.
- Tap Archive at the top of your activity log.
If it's a story you're after, go to the walkthrough for viewing archived stories instead.
Bringing an archived post back to your profile
The two devices differ by one click, so follow the set for yours. On a computer, it takes three clicks:
- Click Options on the post.
- Click Restore to profile.
- Click Restore.
In the app, it's two taps:
- Press Options next to the post.
- Choose Restore to profile.
Either way, it goes back to the audience you'd selected before you archived it, so check that's still who you want reading it.
Why Archive and Trash aren't the same thing
This is the bit that loses people their posts. Archive is a holding area that's visible only to you. Trash is on a timer: anything moved to it is automatically deleted after 30 days and can't be restored after that.
So if a post isn't in your Post Archive, check whether it went to Trash, and do it soon. Waiting a few weeks can be the difference between restoring it and losing it for good.
If you're still stuck, try the date filter first, Trash second and scrolling last.
Putting a post in your archive to begin with
Want to clear something off your page without losing it? Here's how it goes on a computer:
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- Find the post on your profile.
- Click Options, which sits top right on the post.
- Click Move to Archive.
You'll find it on the same screen you used earlier.
Mistakes to avoid with archived posts
- Moving a post to Trash when you only want it out of sight. Archive does that job and doesn't delete anything.
- Sending friends to look at something you've archived. They can't see it, and neither can anybody else, until it's restored.
- Giving up when the list looks incomplete. Filter by date before you decide it's gone.
- Assuming a missing post is in Archive. It may be in Trash, on the 30-day clock.
- Archiving a post when you'd rather keep it visible to a smaller group. Archive takes it away from everyone but you.
- Hunting for the computer menus on your phone. There, Archive sits at the top of your activity log.
If you've got an old post back and it's now showing to more people than you'd like, you can change who can see it once it's on your profile.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone else view my archive?
No. Content in Archive is visible only to you.
Do archived posts get deleted automatically?
The automatic 30-day deletion applies to content moved to Trash. If you're worried about how long something stays in Archive, check Facebook's help page.
How do I hide a post without deleting it?
On desktop, click Options at the top right of the post, then Move to Archive.
Can I archive a post from the Facebook app?
The steps here are for desktop. For the app, check Facebook's help page.
Who can see a post after I restore it?
It goes back to the audience you'd selected before you archived it.
What if my post isn't showing in Post Archive?
Filter by date first, then look in Trash before the 30 days run out.
