Archive or delete a channel

When a channel is no longer needed, it can be archived or deleted (except for the #general channel or #all-companyname channel). Archived channels are closed to new activity, but the message history is retained and searchable on paid subscriptions. Deleted channels are permanently removed from a workspace, message history included.

Note: If you can’t archive or delete a channel, find a workspace owner or admin to ask for help.

Archive a channel

By default, all members (except guests) can archive channels that they're a member of, but workspace owners and org owners can restrict this permission to certain role types. Channel managers can always archive channels that they’re assigned to.

Archive a channel

Desktop

Mobile

1. Open the channel you'd like to archive.
2. Click the channel name in the conversation header.
   
3. Click on Settings, then Archive channel for everyone. 
4. Click Archive channel to confirm.
5. If you set up your channel with a template, the canvases and lists will remain accessible in Slack, while the workflows will be unpublished. To delete a canvas, list or workflow added as part of a template, tick the box next to its name and click onDelete.

1. Open the channel you'd like to archive.
2. Tap the channel name in the conversation header.
3. Tap Archive channel. Scroll down if you don't see the option.
4. Tap Archive to confirm.

Tip: On the Business+ and Enterprise Grid subscriptions, people with permission to use channel management tools can also archive and delete channels from a central dashboard.

Unarchive a channel

If you change your mind, you can unarchive a channel. If the channel is private, the channel members will be retained, but if it's public, the former members will not be restored. 

1. From your desktop, click   More.
   
2. Click  Channels.
3. Search for the channel by name or description, or click the Channel type filter and select Archived channels.
4. Select the channel that you’d like to unarchive from the list.
5. Click on the channel name in the conversation header.
6. Click on Settings, then click on  Unarchive this channel.

Note: Channel names can't be repeated. To reuse the name of an archived channel, you'll need to unarchive it and rename the channel.

Delete a channel

On the Free, Pro and Business+ subscriptions, only workspace owners and workspace admins can delete channels. On the Enterprise Grid subscription, org owners can restrict channel deletion to certain role types or assign channel deletion to a custom role.

Note: Deleting a channel is permanent, so make sure that you proceed with care.

Delete an active channel 

1. From your desktop, open the channel you'd like to delete. 
2. Click the channel name in the conversation header.
   
3. Click on Settings, then Delete channel.
4. Select Delete this channel.
5. Tick the box next to Yes, permanently delete the channel, then click on Delete channel.

Delete an archived channel 

1. From your desktop, click   More.
   
2. Click  Channels.
3. Search for the channel by name or description, or click the Channel type filter and select Archived channels.
4. Select the channel that you’d like to delete from the list.
5. Click on the channel name in the conversation header.
6. Click on Settings, then Delete this channel.
7. Tick the box next to Yes, permanently delete the channel, then click on Delete channel.

Note: Retention settings do not apply to messages in deleted channels. If you delete a channel, any messages sent in the channel will be permanently deleted as well.