Changing Message and Data History Settings in Slack

Summary

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for customizing message and data retention periods for private channels and direct messages in Slack.

Body

You may adjust your message and data history settings to customize how long Slack retains messages, canvases, lists, and files (including audio and video clips) in private channels and direct messages before automatically deleting them.

Messages and data history settings in public channels are set by the workplace administrator. Not all workspaces may have history settings enabled.

Change Slack Message History Settings

  1. Click on the private channel or direct message.
  2. Click the three dots in the top right to open the settings menu. 

    Screenshot with Slack settings menu icon shown as three vertical dots highlighted in a red circle.

  3. For private channels, Open Channel Details.

    Private channel settings menu showing the Open Channel Details option highlighted.

    For direct messages, click Open Conversation Details.

    Direct message settings menu showing the Open Conversation Details option highlighted.

  4. Click the Settings tab and then click Edit in the Message History section.

    Direct Message settings view with the Settings tab and the Message History Edit button highlighted.
     
  5. Select the "Delete messages after a specific time period" option and specify how long Slack should keep messages, with a minimum of 1 day.

    The Edit Message History dialog box showing the option to delete messages after a specific time period.
     
  6. Click Save Changes to confirm.

Get Help

If you don’t see the option to change Slack message history settings, check with your workspace administrator as they may not be enabled for your workspace.

For other issues or questions, please contact the IT Help Desk.

Details

Details

Article ID: 2209
Created
Fri 2/6/26 2:23 PM
Modified
Fri 2/6/26 2:30 PM