You can leave an iMessage group chat in two ways, depending on whether you want to announce your departure
On an iPhone or iPad, open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and select "Leave this Conversation." Everyone in the chat will see a system message saying you've left. If you don't want that notification to appear, you can straightforward mute the conversation instead — swipe left on the chat in your message list, tap the speaker icon with a line through it, and the chat stays in your inbox but stops sending you alerts. The conversation remains visible to you, but you won't receive notifications for new messages.
On a Mac, the process is similar: open the group chat, click the group name at the top of the window, find the "Leave this Conversation" option in the details panel, and click it. Again, everyone will see that you've left. If you want to stay in the chat without being bothered by notifications, right-click the conversation in your sidebar and select "Mute Notifications."
Key Takeaways
- Leaving a group chat sends a visible notification to all members that you've departed, so they'll know you're no longer in the conversation.
- Muting a conversation hides notifications without leaving — the chat stays in your inbox and you can still read and send messages if you choose to.
- On iPhone, tap the group name, scroll to "Leave this Conversation," and confirm; on Mac, click the group name and select the leave option from the details panel.
- Once you leave a group chat, you can rejoin only if someone still in the chat adds you back.
The difference between leaving and muting
Leaving and muting serve different purposes. When you leave, you're removed from the conversation entirely — you can't see new messages, and you can't send messages to the group. The other members will see a notification that you've left. This is useful if you want a clean break from a conversation or if you're being added to group chats you don't want to be part of.
Muting keeps you in the conversation but silences the notifications. You'll still see the chat in your message list, and you can read old messages or jump back in whenever you want. New messages won't trigger alerts on your phone or watch. This is better for group chats you want to stay loosely connected to — like a family group chat or a work project — without being interrupted by every message.
What happens after you leave a group chat
Once you leave, you're out of the active conversation. You won't receive any new messages, and if someone sends a message to the group, it won't appear in your chat history. Your message history with that group stays on your device, so you can scroll back and read what was said before you left.
If you change your mind, the only way back in is for someone still in the chat to add you again. There's no way to rejoin on your own. If the group chat is important and you think you might want to stay connected, muting is usually the safer choice.
How to leave on iPhone step by step
Open the Messages app and find the group conversation you want to leave. Tap the group name or the profile pictures at the top of the chat — this opens the conversation details. Scroll down until you see "Leave this Conversation" in red text at the bottom. Tap it, and a confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Tap "Leave" to confirm.
The chat will close, and you'll return to your message list. Everyone in the group will see a system message in the chat saying "[Your Name] left this conversation." If you want to undo this, you'll need to ask someone in the group to add you back.
How to leave on Mac step by step
In the Messages app, click on the group conversation in your sidebar to open it. At the top of the chat window, click the group name or the group icon. A details panel will open on the right side of the screen. Look for "Leave this Conversation" and click it. A dialog box will ask you to confirm.
After you confirm, the conversation will close and you'll return to your message list. Like on iPhone, everyone in the group will see a notification that you've left. If you want back in later, someone in the group will need to add you.
Muting a conversation instead of leaving
If you're not sure about leaving permanently, muting is a good middle ground. On iPhone, go to your Messages list, swipe left on the group chat, and tap the speaker icon with a line through it. The chat will show a muted icon (a speaker with a line through it) next to its name. You can still open it and read messages, but you won't get notifications.
On Mac, right-click the conversation in your sidebar and select "Mute Notifications." You can choose to mute for one hour, one day, or indefinitely. The conversation stays in your sidebar, and you can unmute it anytime by right-clicking again and selecting "Unmute Notifications."
What to do if you're added to unwanted group chats
If you keep getting added to group chats you don't want to be in, leaving is the right move. Each time you leave, you'll need to be added again if someone wants you back in. If the same person keeps adding you without asking, you can block them or adjust your settings so only contacts can add you to group chats.
To change who can add you to groups on iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Group Messaging and toggle off "Allow Group Messaging" if you want to opt out entirely. On Mac, open Messages > Settings > General and look for similar options. Keep in mind that turning off group messaging means you won't be added to any new group chats, even ones you might want to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will everyone know I left the group chat?
Yes. When you leave a group chat, all members will see a system message saying you've left. If you want to disappear from notifications without announcing it, mute the conversation instead of leaving it.
Can I rejoin a group chat after I leave?
No, not on your own. Someone who is still in the chat will need to add you back. There's no way to rejoin without being invited by another member.
If I mute a conversation, can I still send messages?
Yes. Muting only stops notifications — you can still open the chat, read messages, and send replies whenever you want. The other members won't know the conversation is muted on your end.
What's the difference between leaving and deleting a conversation?
Leaving removes you from the active group chat, and everyone sees that you've left. Deleting just removes the conversation from your message list on your device — you're still technically in the group, and you'll get notifications if someone adds you back or if the chat is recreated.
Can I leave a group chat without sending a notification?
No. Leaving always sends a visible notification to the group. If you want to stay in the chat without being bothered, mute it instead. That way no one knows you've silenced notifications.