How to Delete a Channel in Slack

Channels are one of the most valuable features of Slack. However, over time, you might find that your channels are getting cluttered with conversations on topics not related to your business.

Therefore there may come a time when you wish to delete a channel from your workspace. If you want to delete a channel, here’s how.

Things to know before deleting or archiving a channel in Slack

1. Only workspace owners and admins can delete a channel.
2. The #general channel cannot be deleted or archived.
3. Archived channels are still searchable, and messages sent to this channel are visible.
4. Slack will also delete any message sent to a channel you want to delete.
5. Workspace members, not guests, can archive or unarchive a channel. However, the workspace owner can restrict this feature.
6. It would be best to archive the Slack channel until you are sure you want to delete it since deleting it is irreversible.
7. You can only unarchive or delete archived channels using a web browser or desktop version since the channel browser is not available on the mobile app.

How to delete an active Slack channel

On computer

1. Go to Slack and launch your workspace. Click the channel you would like to delete from the channel directory on the left side. In the header section, click on the channel name.

   

2. From the menu, select Settings.

   

3. In “Settings,” select Delete this channel.

   

4. Confirm deleting the channel by checking the box next to “Yes, permanently delete the channel.”
5. After that, click Delete Channel.

   

On iPhone or Android

1. Launch your workspace and tap the channel you would like to delete from the channel directory.

   

2. In the header, click on the channel name.

   

3. Scroll down and tap the Leave channel.

   

How to archive a Slack channel

On computer

1. Launch your workspace and choose the channel you would like to archive from the channel directory on the left side.
2. Click on the channel name to get more details about the channel.

   

3. In the menu, click Settings.

   

4. Scroll down and select Archive Channel for everyone.

   

5. Select Archive Channel to confirm and complete archiving the channel.

   

On iPhone

1. Open the Slack app and launch your workspace. Select the channel you want to archive from the directory.

   

2. Tap on the channel name to expand more details about the channel.

   

3. Click on … Additional Options.

   

4. Select Archive this channel.

   

5. Click Archive to complete the action.

   

On Android

1. Open the Slack app, launch your workspace and select the channel you want to archive.

   

2. Tap on the channel name to expand more details about the channel.

   

3. Scroll down and, at “Advanced,” select Archive.

   

4. From the pop-up tap, Archive to complete the action.

   

How to unarchive a Slack channel

1. Launch your workspace, then click on Browse Slack.

   

2. Select Channel browser from the pop-up to view all the channels.

   

3. Click on Filter in the far top right corner and choose Archived channel from the “Channel type” drop-down.

   

4. Pick the channel you would like to delete from the list.

   

5. Click on the channel name and hover over to Settings.

   

6. Select Unarchive this channel.

   

7. Slack will confirm removing the channel from the archive.

   

How to delete an archived Slack channel

1. Follow steps 1 to 5 in the “How to unarchive a Slack channel” section.
2. Select Delete this channel.