Do different Lark plans store chat history for different amounts of time?
The storage time of Lark chat history depends on the Lark plan you have.
For more information, see the table below:
Starter | Basic | Pro | Enterprise |
18 months | Permanent storage | Permanent storage | Permanent storage |
Note:
- Calculation rule for the 18-month duration: 18 months x 31 days = 558 days.
- The Lark Basic plan is only available in specific countries and regions.
How long are transferred, pinned, replied, and favorited messages, as well as messages with images stored?
The retention duration for all message types is consistent and depends on the Lark plan you have, rather than the message type itself:
- Starter plan users: All messages are retained for 18 months. Messages that exceed this duration will be automatically deleted and will no longer be visible in the message interface or searchable. However, messages that are marked as favorites or flagged can still be viewed after this period.
- Basic, Pro, and Enterprise plan users: All messages can be retained permanently.
Where is Lark history stored?
Chat history is stored in cloud storage.
How is chat history on the mobile app stored?
The storage rules are the same for both the mobile app and the desktop app.
How is chat history for external groups or private chats with external contacts handled?
Chat history from external groups or private chats is stored permanently for both parties. Even if the external contact's account is canceled, the storage is not affected.
Does chat history take up space in my cloud storage?
- Sending images, videos, files, folders (hereinafter referred to as message files) in the chat will take up your storage space, but directly previewing message files or downloading them locally will not.
- Sending other message types, such as text messages, Lark documents, webpage links, and emojis, does not consume storage space.
Note:
- For the total storage space of different Lark plans, refer to the table below. For more information on Lark storage space, see Introduction to Lark storage space.
- The Lark Basic plan is only available in specific countries and regions.
Starter | Basic | Pro | Enterprise |
100 GB | 5 TB | 15 TB | 15 TB + purchased seats x 30 GB |
Will storage space be released after messages that exceed the storage duration are automatically cleaned up?
- Yes, once the message files that exceed the storage duration are automatically cleaned up, the corresponding storage space will be released.
- Text messages, emojis, and other types of messages that exceed the storage duration do not occupy any storage space.
If I upload files to a Lark document and send the Lark document link to the chat, will it take up storage space?
Only when you upload files to the Lark document will it take up storage space. Sending the Lark document link to a chat will not take up additional storage space.
Whose storage space will be used when sending message files in a group chat?
It will take up the sender's storage space. This is consistent with private chats.
How is the storage space occupied by message files in an external group calculated?
The calculation rule is the same as that of the internal group. It only occupies the sender's storage space.
If I forward or flag message files in a chat, will it occupy storage space?
Yes.
What should I do if I am prompted that the storage space has reached its limit and I cannot send messages?
Members cannot view the storage space occupied by message files or clear up message files. Only the organization administrator can clear message files. To learn more, see Admin | Delete message files.
Will deleting messages in the chat window free up the storage space occupied by the message files?
No. Storage space is only freed up when the message files are cleared. Organization members cannot perform this action and must contact an administrator to perform this action in the Lark Admin Console.
If I recall a message file sent in a chat, will it free up storage space?
Yes.
If I forward, flag, or add a message file to my favorites, and the original message file is cleared, can I still view this message file in my forwarded, flagged, or favorites?
You can still view the forwarded message files. However, flagged and favorited message files will not be viewable.
Can all chat history be synchronized across devices?
Yes. When you log in to any device with the same Lark account, all your chat history is automatically synchronized.
The message storage duration for Lark Starter users has been changed to 18 months. After purchasing a paid plan, can chat history older than 18 months be retrieved?
Starting March 1, 2025, Lark's message storage duration policy for Starter (free) users is set to 18 months. Lark provides a 90-day grace period for Starter users. If you upgrade to the paid plan of Lark Office before June 1, 2025 (inclusive), you will be able to retrieve chat history older than 18 months. If you upgrade to the paid plan of Lark Office after June 1, 2025, retrieving chat history older than 18 months is not supported.
In group chats with both paid and free organization accounts, can chat history older than 18 months still be searched?
- Group chat:
- The group creator is a paid organization user: Paid organization users can view and search the complete chat history; Starter (free) organization users can view the complete chat history, but can only search chat history within the past 18 months.
- The group creator is a Starter (free) organization user: All members in the group, including paid organization users, can only view and search chat history within the past 18 months.
- 1-on-1 chat:
- At least one party is a paid organization user: Both parties can view the complete chat history. Paid organization users can search the complete chat history, while Starter (free) organization users can only search chat history within the past 18 months.
- Both parties are free organization users: Both parties can only view and search chat history within the past 18 months.