How to leave a group text depends on your phone and the messaging app
The steps to remove yourself from a group text are different on iPhone and Android, and they differ again depending on whether you are using the built-in Messages app, iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or another platform. On iPhone with iMessage, you can leave directly from the conversation. On Android with standard SMS or MMS group texts, you often cannot leave the same way — you may only be able to mute or delete the thread. WhatsApp and Messenger let you leave from a menu inside the app. The fastest path is to open the group conversation, look for a menu or info button, and find the "Leave" or "Exit" option.
Before you leave, understand what happens next: other members will see a notification that you have left, the conversation will stay on your phone but you will receive no new messages, and you cannot undo the action without asking someone to add you back. If you straightforward want to stop seeing notifications without leaving, muting is usually a better choice.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users with iMessage can leave a group text by opening the conversation, tapping the group name at the top, scrolling down, and selecting "Leave this Conversation."
- Android users with standard SMS group texts cannot leave the same way; instead, you can mute the conversation or delete it from your inbox.
- WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have a "Leave Group" option in the group info menu that notifies all members you have exited.
- Leaving a group text sends a notification to other members, but muting the conversation hides notifications without alerting anyone.
- Once you leave, you cannot see new messages in that group unless someone adds you back and you rejoin.
Leaving a group text on iPhone with iMessage
Open the Messages app and find the group conversation you want to leave. Tap the group name or the circular icon at the top of the screen — this opens the group details. Scroll down until you see the "Leave this Conversation" button and tap it. A confirmation message will appear; tap "Leave" again to confirm. The group will remain in your message list, but you will no longer receive new messages and other members will see a system message saying you have left.
If you do not see a "Leave this Conversation" option, the group may be an SMS or MMS group rather than an iMessage group. iMessage groups (which use data or Wi-Fi) allow leaving; standard text message groups do not have this feature on iPhone. You can tell the difference by looking at the conversation name — iMessage groups show a group name you can edit, while SMS groups show individual contact names.
Leaving a group text on Android
Android's default Messages app does not have a built-in "leave group" feature for standard SMS or MMS group texts. Instead, open the conversation, press and hold it, and select "Delete" to remove it from your inbox. This removes the thread from your view, but you will still receive messages if someone sends to the group again — they will create a new thread. If you want to stop receiving messages entirely without deleting, open the conversation, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Mute notifications" or "Mute conversation."
If the group is using a messaging app like WhatsApp, Google Messages, or Facebook Messenger instead of standard SMS, follow the app-specific steps below. Check which app the conversation is in by looking at the app icon or the conversation header.
Leaving a group on WhatsApp
Open WhatsApp and find the group conversation. Tap the group name at the top to open group info. Scroll to the bottom and tap "Exit Group" or "Leave Group" (the exact wording depends on your phone and WhatsApp version). Confirm by tapping "Exit" or "Leave" when prompted. All group members will see a message saying you have left, and you will no longer receive messages sent to that group.
Before you leave, note that you will lose access to the group's message history and media. If you think you might need those files later, take screenshots or save important messages first. You can also mute the group instead of leaving — tap the group name, then toggle "Mute notifications" to stop seeing alerts without actually leaving.
Leaving a group on Facebook Messenger
Open the group conversation in Messenger. Tap the group name at the top, then scroll down and tap "Leave Chat" or "Leave Group." Confirm when prompted. Other members will see that you have left, and you will no longer be part of the conversation. The chat will remain in your message list but marked as inactive.
If you want to stay in the group but silence notifications, tap the group name, then toggle "Mute notifications" instead. This keeps you in the group and lets you read messages when you choose, but you will not get alerts every time someone writes.
The difference between leaving and muting
Leaving a group removes you from the conversation entirely — other members see a notification, and you receive no new messages. Muting a group keeps you in it but turns off notifications, so messages arrive silently and you can read them later if you want. Muting is useful when you want to stay connected but do not need when ready alerts. Leaving is the right choice when you no longer want to be part of the group at all.
To mute instead of leave, open the group conversation, find the group info or settings menu, and look for "Mute notifications," "Mute this conversation," or a bell icon with a slash through it. The exact location varies by app and phone, but the option is usually near the top of the group details screen.
What happens after you leave a group text
Once you leave, the conversation stays in your message history but you will not see new messages. If someone adds you back to the group, you will receive a new invitation (on WhatsApp or Messenger) or be added directly (on iMessage). On standard SMS groups, leaving is not possible, so deleting the conversation is the closest option — but if someone texts the group again, a new thread will appear in your inbox.
If you change your mind and want to rejoin, you will need to ask someone in the group to add you back. There is no way to rejoin on your own once you have left. Keep this in mind before you leave a group you might want to stay connected to later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people know I left the group?
Yes, on iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, all group members will see a system message saying you have left. On standard SMS groups, you cannot leave, so no notification is sent. If you mute instead of leaving, no one will be notified.
Can I leave a group text without anyone knowing?
Not on iMessage, WhatsApp, or Messenger — leaving always sends a notification. Your only option to stay hidden is to mute the group instead, which silences notifications but keeps you in the conversation. On standard SMS groups, you can delete the thread, and no one will see a notification.
What if I delete the conversation instead of leaving?
Deleting removes the thread from your inbox, but you will still receive new messages if the group texts again — they will create a new thread. On iMessage and app-based groups, use the "Leave" option instead to actually exit. Deleting is only a removal from your view, not from the group itself.
Can I rejoin a group after I leave?
Only if someone adds you back. There is no way to rejoin on your own. Ask a group member to add you, and you will receive an invitation or be added directly depending on the app.
How do I stop getting notifications without leaving?
Mute the conversation. Open the group, find the group info or settings, and toggle "Mute notifications" or "Mute this conversation." You will stay in the group and can read messages whenever you want, but you will not get alerts.