## Get a chat by ID

`chats.retrieve(strchat_id)  -> Chat`

**get** `/v3/chats/{chatId}`

Retrieve a chat by its unique identifier.

### Parameters

- `chat_id: str`

### Returns

- `class Chat: …`

  - `id: str`

    Unique identifier for the chat

  - `created_at: datetime`

    When the chat was created

  - `display_name: Optional[str]`

    Display name for the chat. Defaults to a comma-separated list of recipient handles. Can be updated for group chats.

  - `handles: List[ChatHandle]`

    List of chat participants with full handle details. Always contains at least two handles (your phone number and the other participant).

    - `id: str`

      Unique identifier for this handle

    - `handle: str`

      Phone number (E.164) or email address of the participant

    - `joined_at: datetime`

      When this participant joined the chat

    - `service: ServiceType`

      Messaging service type

      - `"iMessage"`

      - `"SMS"`

      - `"RCS"`

    - `is_me: Optional[bool]`

      Whether this handle belongs to the sender (your phone number)

    - `left_at: Optional[datetime]`

      When they left (if applicable)

    - `status: Optional[Literal["active", "left", "removed"]]`

      Participant status

      - `"active"`

      - `"left"`

      - `"removed"`

  - `is_archived: bool`

    Whether the chat is archived

  - `is_group: bool`

    Whether this is a group chat

  - `updated_at: datetime`

    When the chat was last updated

  - `health_score: Optional[HealthScore]`

    **[BETA]** Health assessment for a chat. Higher `score` is healthier.
    `null` when a score isn't available yet. Scoring may change during beta.

    - `reason: str`

      Short summary of what's affecting the score. Empty when the score is 100.

    - `score: int`

      Health score from 0 to 100. Higher is healthier.

    - `updated_at: datetime`

      When this health score was last computed.

  - `service: Optional[ServiceType]`

    Messaging service type

### Example

```python
import os
from linq import LinqAPIV3

client = LinqAPIV3(
    api_key=os.environ.get("LINQ_API_V3_API_KEY"),  # This is the default and can be omitted
)
chat = client.chats.retrieve(
    "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
)
print(chat.id)
```

#### Response

```json
{
  "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
  "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "display_name": "+14155551234, +14155559876",
  "handles": [
    {
      "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440010",
      "handle": "+14155551234",
      "joined_at": "2025-05-21T15:30:00.000Z",
      "service": "iMessage",
      "is_me": true,
      "left_at": "2019-12-27T18:11:19.117Z",
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440011",
      "handle": "+14155559876",
      "joined_at": "2025-05-21T15:30:00.000Z",
      "service": "iMessage",
      "is_me": false,
      "left_at": "2019-12-27T18:11:19.117Z",
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "is_archived": true,
  "is_group": true,
  "updated_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "health_score": {
    "reason": "Not enough engagement",
    "score": 35,
    "updated_at": "2026-05-01T18:28:25Z"
  },
  "service": "iMessage"
}
```