Some messages need a proper reply, not a rushed one, but leaving them sitting in a chat you have already opened means they blend in with everything else you have actually finished with.
Marking a chat as unread solves this: it puts the chat back into your unread list so it stays visible until you are ready to answer it properly.
Note: Marking a chat as unread only changes how it looks to you. If you already opened the message, the sender can still see that you have read it.
On Desktop
Right-click a chat in the Chats list and select Mark as Unread.
Click the Filters icon to the left of Chats, then click Unread to see the chats you have marked, alongside any other chats with unread messages.
Tip: To clear a chat from the Unread filter, open it and then switch to a different filter. There is no separate command to undo the unread mark.
On Mobile
Touch and hold a chat in the Chats list, or swipe left on it, and select Mark as Unread.
Tap Unread above the chat list to see the chats you have marked, along with other chats carrying new messages.
To clear a chat from the Unread tab, tap it to open it, then exit.
Practical Use Cases for SMEs and Startups
- End-of-day triage: Skim through messages, open the ones you can answer in seconds, and mark the rest unread so nothing gets buried.
- Delegated follow-up: Mark a chat unread as a personal reminder to check whether a colleague you have looped in has responded.
- Client messages needing a considered reply: Keep a pricing or contract question visible in your unread list instead of a separate to-do note.
- Shift handovers: Mark chats unread before logging off so the next person on shift sees exactly what still needs attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I mark a chat as unread in Lark?
On desktop, right-click the chat and select Mark as Unread. On mobile, touch and hold the chat, or swipe left on it, and select the same option.
Does marking a chat as unread hide the fact that I already read it?
No. If you have already viewed the message, the sender will still see that you have read it, even after you mark the chat as unread.
Where do I find chats I have marked as unread?
On desktop, open the Filters panel and select Unread. On mobile, tap the Unread tab above your chat list.
How do I remove a chat from the Unread filter?
Open the chat, then switch to a different filter or tab. There is no separate button to reverse the unread mark; opening the chat clears it.
Can I mark a group chat as unread, not just a one-on-one chat?
Yes. The Mark as Unread option works the same way for any chat in your list, whether it is a direct message or a group.
Will marking a chat as unread trigger a new notification?
No. It changes how the chat appears in your own list and unread filters, but it does not send a new notification to you or anyone else.
Keeping Track Without a Separate To-Do List
Marking a chat as unread is a small habit with an outsized effect on a busy inbox: it turns “I’ll get to this later” into something you can actually find later, using a filter you already check instead of a note you might forget to write.
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Lark Messenger is just one part of an all-in-one platform that brings messaging, meetings, documents, approvals, and automations together for your entire team.
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