The quickest way out depends on which app you use
Leaving a group chat on Samsung is straightforward, but the exact steps change depending on whether you use Messages (Samsung's built-in texting app), WhatsApp, Telegram, or another messaging platform. The process takes under a minute in most cases. On Samsung Messages, you swipe left on the group conversation and tap delete. On WhatsApp, you open the group, tap the three dots at the top, scroll down, and select "Exit group". Telegram works similarly: open the group, tap the three dots, and choose "Leave Group".
The main thing to understand before you leave is what happens after. In most apps, the group chat stays visible to other members, and they will see a notification that you have left. Some apps let you delete the conversation from your phone without notifying anyone; others make the departure public. Knowing the difference helps you decide whether to leave quietly or have a conversation first.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Messages lets you delete a group by swiping left on it, with no notification sent to other members.
- WhatsApp and Telegram notify the group when you leave, and you cannot undo this without asking someone to re-add you.
- Muting a group chat is different from leaving it — you stay in the conversation but stop receiving notifications.
- If you are the group admin in WhatsApp or Telegram, you must assign a new admin before you can leave.
Leaving through Samsung Messages
Samsung Messages is the default texting app on most Samsung phones. To leave a group text, open the Messages app and find the group conversation. Press and hold the group name until it highlights, then swipe left across it. A trash icon will appear on the right side — tap it to delete the conversation from your phone.
This method removes the chat from your view, but it does not send a notification to the group. The other members will not know you have left unless they try to message you and notice you are not responding. If you want to be transparent, you can send a message saying you are leaving before you delete the conversation.
Leaving a WhatsApp group
Open WhatsApp and find the group chat. Tap the group name at the top of the screen to open the group info page. Scroll down until you see "Exit group" in red text, then tap it. WhatsApp will ask you to confirm, and once you do, the group will see a message saying "[Your name] left using WhatsApp".
If you are the group admin, you will see a different option: "Exit and remove group". This only appears if you are the sole admin. If there are other admins, you can leave normally. If you are the only admin and want to leave, you must first assign another member as admin. Tap the member's name, select "Make group admin", and confirm. Then you can exit.
Leaving a Telegram group
Open Telegram and select the group. Tap the group name at the top to open the group details. Scroll down and tap "Leave Group", then confirm. Like WhatsApp, Telegram notifies the group that you have left.
Telegram groups have a slightly different admin structure than WhatsApp. If you are the creator of the group, you can leave without assigning a new admin — the group continues to exist, and the next-most-senior member takes over. If you want to delete the group entirely before leaving, tap "Delete Group" instead of "Leave Group", but this removes it for everyone.
The difference between leaving and muting
Leaving a group chat is permanent until someone re-adds you. Muting a group is temporary and keeps you in the conversation. If you are tired of notifications but want to stay in the group, mute it instead.
In Samsung Messages, press and hold the group and tap "Mute notifications". In WhatsApp, open the group, tap the three dots, and select "Mute notifications" — you can choose to mute for 8 hours, 1 week, or always. In Telegram, swipe left on the group (or press and hold on Android) and tap the speaker icon with a line through it. You will still see new messages, but your phone will not buzz or chime.
What happens to the conversation after you leave
On Samsung Messages, the group chat disappears from your inbox once you delete it. If someone sends a new message to the group, it will not reach you — you are no longer part of the conversation thread. If they text you individually, that message will come through normally.
On WhatsApp and Telegram, you stop receiving messages the moment you leave. The group continues without you, and if someone wants to include you again, they have to add you back manually. You will not see any messages sent after you left, even if you rejoin later. The conversation history before you left is gone from your phone.
If you change your mind and want to rejoin
On WhatsApp, only a current member can re-add you. You cannot rejoin on your own. Ask someone in the group to add you back, and they can do it by tapping the group info, scrolling to "Add participants", and selecting your contact.
Telegram works the same way — a current member has to invite you. If the group is public (which you can tell by the @ symbol in the name), you can search for it and join yourself. Private Telegram groups require an invite from a member.
Samsung Messages does not have a rejoin option. If you delete a group text and want to be part of it again, someone has to start a new group and add you to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people know I left the group?
On Samsung Messages, no — the deletion is silent. On WhatsApp and Telegram, yes — the group sees a notification that you left. If you want privacy, use Samsung Messages or send a personal message to the group admin before you leave.
Can I leave without deleting the conversation from my phone?
On WhatsApp and Telegram, yes — leaving the group and deleting the conversation are separate actions. You can leave the group and keep the chat history on your phone to read later. On Samsung Messages, deleting the conversation is the only way to leave.
What if I am the only admin of a WhatsApp group?
You must assign another member as admin first. Open the group info, tap the member you want to promote, and select "Make group admin". Once someone else is admin, you can exit. The group will continue without you.
Do I lose the chat history when I leave?
On WhatsApp and Telegram, the conversation history stays on your phone unless you delete it manually. On Samsung Messages, deleting the group removes the history. If you want to keep the messages, take screenshots or save them before you leave.
Can I leave a group without anyone noticing?
Only on Samsung Messages. WhatsApp and Telegram always notify the group. If you need to leave without drawing attention, use Samsung Messages, or mute the group instead of leaving it.