How to search messages in a WhatsApp conversation ​

Search inside the open chat, not the conversation list. In AvenPing Messages, open a conversation, open the header actions menu, click Search Messages, type your query, then Close Search.

Prerequisites ​

Step-by-step ​

  1. Open a conversation
    Sign in at app.avenping.com. Open Messages. Select a chat.

  2. Open Search Messages
    In the conversation header actions menu, click Search Messages. The same item becomes Close Search while search is on.

  3. Type a query
    Enter text in the in-conversation search field. Matching bubbles in that thread are highlighted. This does not search other contacts.

  4. Jump between matches
    Use the search controls in the header to move through hits in the current conversation.

  5. Close Search
    Click Close Search (or the same header action) to return to the normal transcript.

TIP

To find a conversation by name or number, use the conversation list search. That is documented in How to filter inbox conversations.

WARNING

Search Messages only searches the open thread. It does not search all chats at once.

FAQ ​

How is this different from the Messages list search?

List search finds conversations. Search Messages finds text inside the open conversation.

Can I search media captions?

Search is for message text in the thread. Use the transcript for media you already sent.