How to Leave iMessage Group Chat

Sometimes, receiving a notification that you’re part of a group chat is exciting. Other times, group chatting isn’t pleasant. Perhaps you don’t want to be in this particular group, or someone added you to a scam chat, and you want out. But how do you leave an iMessage group chat when you’re not having fun?

Well, as long as you’re in an actual iMessage Group chat, you can quickly leave by following the steps below. Whether you’re on an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad or you’re using a Mac or MacBook, we’ll help you get out of those pesky iMessage group chats!

What is an iMessage Group Chat?

Before we dive into our tutorial, we need to explain what an iMessage group chat is because Apple’s logic doesn’t always make sense on the surface. You can only leave an iMessage group chat. If you’re part of a standard SMS group, the steps below won’t work.

An iMessage group chat contains only Apple devices. iMessage is specific only to iPads, iPhones, and Macs or MacBooks. It isn’t an iMessage group chat if you see green chat bubbles. So, before attempting the steps below, ensure the chat has blue text bubbles.

Next, Apple only considers a text thread a group if it has three or more people (which might seem slightly obvious). If you’re part of a chat group with blue bubbles but have three or fewer contacts, it isn’t technically an iMessage group chat, meaning you can’t leave it.

Finally, you must use a later version of iOS. At one time, Apple didn’t offer the option to leave a group iMessage but introduced the feature with new iOS versions. So, update your software if you don’t see the Leave Conversation option.

Now that we understand what an iMessage group chat is, we can teach you how to leave it! Let’s get you out of that chat!

How to Leave iMessage Group Chat

At one time, the only option to leave an iMessage group was to block the senders. If you aren’t in an iMessage group chat (as explained in the previous section), that’s precisely what you must do to leave an SMS-based conversation.

But you can leave an iMessage group chat on an iOS or OSX device by following the steps outlined below.

How to Leave iMessage Group Chat – iOS

Most of us use our iPhones to chat with friends, families, and colleagues. If you want to remove yourself from an iMessage group chat on an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Messaging App

Naturally, we’ll work in the Messaging App. The iOS messaging app is, by default, at the bottom of your Home Screen. Tap on the green chat app at the bottom of the screen.

Of course, if you don’t see the Messaging App at the bottom, swipe all the way to the right and open it in your App Library. You can also search for the iMessage app by swiping all the way to the left, then swiping down, and typing iMessage in the search bar at the top.

Step 2: Open the Conversation

Upon opening the chat app, you’ll see a list of all your conversations. Tap on the group chat you’d like to leave.

Step 2: Tap the Names at the Top

Your iMessage chat settings are always at the top of the Messaging app. You’ll see the profile icons of every person in the chat.

Tap on the profile icons at the top of the conversation to access the chat’s settings.

Step 3: Tap Leave this Conversation

Scroll down the page until you see the red Leave Chat selection. Tap it.

If the Leave Chat option doesn’t appear or it’s grey, you can’t leave this chat.

Step 4: Confirm You’d Like to Leave

A dialogue box will appear near the bottom of the page asking if you’d like to leave.

Confirm by tapping the Leave this Conversation.

Whether it’s constant notifications that have you withdrawing from a group chat or if you just want to leave the conversation, with the steps above you’re now able to. However, if you prefer a step-by-step guide on the process, we found the perfect video on YouTube for you to watch.

How to Leave an iMessage Group Chat on a Mac

Apple does a great job of delivering your iMessage to all your devices. You can join group chats on a Mac or MacBook; fortunately, you can leave them on that device too!

Follow the steps below to leave an iMessage group chat on a Mac.

Step 1: Open the Chat app

Open the iMessage app on your Mac or MacBook.

If you don’t see the iMessage app, look at the dock on your Mac or MacBook and click to open the Message app. Or, you can click the Finder icon (the blue and grey face to the far left) and double-click the chat app in the application list.

Step 2: Select the Conversation

Now, you’ll see all the messages related to your iCloud account. Scroll through the chat list and click on the one you’d like to leave.

Step 3: Tap the i Icon in the Upper Right Corner

Your iMessage menu on a Mac is the i icon in the top right corner of the chat.

Click on the i icon.

Step 4: Select Leave Conversation

A pop-up window will appear.

Click Leave Conversation and confirm in the dialogue box.

Sayonara Group Chat!

Sometimes group chat notifications can become overwhelming. The constant alerts and messages cause undue distractions. Fortunately, with the right circumstances, you can leave an iMessage group chat.

Apple’s requirements to leave an iMessage group chat are pretty straightforward. But also incredibly restrictive. So, what can you do if the Leave Conversation option doesn’t appear or won’t let you tap it? Well, your only option is to mute the chat and hope the participants quit responding.

Up Next

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The image featured at the top of this post is ©oasisamuel/Shutterstock.com.