The simplest way to leave depends on which app you use
Leaving a group chat is straightforward on most messaging apps, but the exact steps differ. On iMessage (Apple), WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Google Messages, you open the group, find a "Leave" or "Exit" option, and confirm. The button is usually in a menu accessed by tapping the group name at the top of the conversation. On some apps it appears in a settings icon; on others it's in a three-dot menu. The core action is the same everywhere: you tell the app you no longer want to receive messages from that group.
What happens after you leave varies slightly. On most apps, the group continues without you — other members see a notification that you left, but the chat itself stays intact for them. You stop receiving new messages when ready. Old messages you already received stay in your chat history unless you delete the entire conversation. Some apps let you rejoin later if someone adds you back; others require an invitation link or a manual add from an admin.
The one exception is Signal, which handles group departures differently because of how it manages group membership. You still leave the same way, but Signal's design means the group admin may need to update the group settings after you go.
Key Takeaways
- On iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and Google Messages, tap the group name at the top, then look for a Leave or Exit button in the menu that appears.
- When you leave, other members are notified and you stop receiving new messages, but your old messages stay in your chat history.
- You can usually rejoin a group later if someone sends you an invite link or adds you manually, depending on the app's settings.
- Leaving a group is different from muting it — leaving removes you entirely, while muting just silences notifications.
How to leave on iPhone (iMessage)
Open the group conversation. Tap the group name or icon at the very top of the chat. A panel slides up showing group members and settings. Scroll down in that panel until you see "Leave this Conversation" in red text. Tap it, then confirm when the app asks if you're sure. You're now out of the group and won't receive any more messages from it.
If you don't see a "Leave" button, check that you're looking at a group chat and not a one-on-one conversation — you can only leave groups, not individual chats. Also make sure you've scrolled all the way to the bottom of the settings panel, since the button sometimes sits below other options.
How to leave on Android (Google Messages or WhatsApp)
The steps depend on which app you use. On Google Messages, open the group chat, tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select "Leave group." Confirm your choice. On WhatsApp, open the group, tap the group name at the top, scroll down to the bottom of the group info screen, and tap "Exit group" in red. Both apps will ask you to confirm before removing you.
After you leave, you'll see a message in the chat saying you've exited the group. Other members will see this notification too. You can still see the conversation history in your chat list, but you won't receive any new messages. If you want the group completely out of sight, you can delete the conversation from your chat list.
How to leave on WhatsApp (both iPhone and Android)
WhatsApp's process is the same across both platforms. Open the group chat, then tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens the group info page. Scroll all the way down — past members, past settings — until you reach the bottom. You'll see "Exit Group" in red text. Tap it and confirm. WhatsApp will remove you when ready and show other members that you've left.
One thing to know: if you leave a WhatsApp group, you can still see the old messages in your chat history, but you won't be able to see new messages or group updates. If someone adds you back later, you'll start fresh from that point — you won't see messages sent while you were gone.
How to leave on Facebook Messenger
Open the group conversation. Tap the group name or icon at the top. Scroll down in the group info panel until you see "Leave Chat" or "Leave Group." Tap it and confirm. Facebook Messenger will remove you from the group, and other members will see a notification that you've left.
Unlike some other apps, Messenger keeps the conversation in your chat list even after you leave — it just shows you're no longer a member. You can delete it from your list if you want it out of sight. If someone adds you back to the group later, you'll be able to see messages sent after you rejoin, but not the ones from while you were away.
How to leave on Telegram
Open the group or supergroup chat. Tap the group name at the top to open group details. Scroll down and tap "Leave Group" at the bottom. Confirm your choice. Telegram will remove you and notify other members. Unlike some apps, Telegram lets you see that you've left — the group stays in your chat list but marked as inactive for you.
Telegram groups have different permission levels, so depending on how the group is set up, you might see additional options like "Delete Chat" if you want to remove it from your list entirely. Leaving the group doesn't delete it for anyone else — it only removes you.
The difference between leaving and muting
Leaving a group removes you entirely — you stop receiving messages and can't see new activity. Muting a group keeps you in it but silences notifications. You still receive messages; you just won't get alerts for them. Muting is useful when a group is active but you don't want constant notifications. Leaving is the right choice when you don't want to be part of the conversation at all.
To mute instead of leave, look for a "Mute Notifications" or "Silence" option in the group settings — it's usually near the top of the group info panel, not at the bottom where the leave button sits. You can unmute anytime and go back to receiving notifications.
What happens to your messages after you leave
Your old messages stay in your chat history. You can still read them, search them, and scroll back through the conversation. Leaving doesn't erase your side of the chat. However, you won't see any new messages sent after you leave — they go to the group, not to you.
If you want to remove the group conversation from your phone entirely, you can delete the chat. This removes it from your chat list but doesn't affect the group for other members. If someone adds you back later, the old conversation history may or may not be visible depending on the app — some apps restore it, others start fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rejoin a group after I leave?
Yes, if someone sends you an invite link or adds you manually. Most apps let group members add people back without asking permission first. Some groups have settings that require admin approval for new members, in which case an admin would need to accept you. You can't rejoin on your own — someone in the group has to add you.
Will people know I left the group?
Yes. All messaging apps notify group members when someone leaves. They'll see a message in the chat saying you've exited. There's no way to leave silently. If you want to avoid the notification, you'd need to mute the group instead, but that keeps you in it.
What if I'm the group admin?
You can still leave, but the group continues without you. On most apps, another member automatically becomes admin, or the group has no admin until someone else steps in. Some apps let you transfer admin rights to another member before you leave — check the group settings to see if that option exists. If you're the only member, leaving deletes the group.
Can I leave without deleting the conversation from my phone?
Yes. Leaving the group and deleting the conversation are separate actions. When you leave, the chat stays in your history. You can read old messages anytime. If you want it out of your chat list, you delete it separately — but you can always scroll back through your phone's storage to find old messages if you need them.
What's the difference between leaving a group and blocking everyone in it?
Leaving removes you from the group chat only. Blocking individual people prevents them from contacting you at all, across the entire app. If you leave a group, those people can still message you one-on-one. If you block them, they can't. Leave the group if you just want out of that conversation; block people if you don't want to hear from them anywhere.