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Original poster

How to get out of WhatsApp group

23 replies

Firesgoneout · 24/04/2023 15:20

Before covid I belonged to a yoga group that was set up by a group of ladies who privately hired the village hall and a yoga instructor.

The yoga went online during covid and had pretty much stayed that way. I put the group WhatsApp on mute and thought I would return to the group when it went back to the village hall.

Three years later I would like to leave the group as I’m never going to go back. However I’m too embarrassed to swipe Leave on WhatsApp as my leaving message (XX has left the group) will be displayed and I think that would look odd after all these years. I know I’m being too self-conscious but is there a way of leaving the group or deleting the group chat from my phone without anyone knowing? I would like to quietly leave out of the side door without anyone noticing IYSWIM. 😳

OP posts:
YouveGotAFastCar · 24/04/2023 15:25

You can silently leave a WhatsApp group on the latest version of WhatsApp.

But if anyone isn't on the latest version, they'll still get the XXX has left the group message, and might announce that someone has left... that happened in a group I'm in this week. Nobody else had noticed, until someone asked who had left yesterday, and then opening the group, you could see someone under "Past Participants", and it showed she had left yesterday at 6pm.

You are almost definitely thinking too much about this, and you could just leave - nobody is likely to give it a second thought, they won't get a notification that you've left even if they do see the message, it'll just be the latest message. And if anyone ever mentions it, you can always just say that you were clearing out your WhatsApp/your phone memory was full/a toddler had your phone if you don't want to be honest.

Otherwise you can just mute and archive the group, so it's not on your homepage.

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 24/04/2023 15:25

The easiest thing to do would be to throw your phone in the sea. Either that or just leave the group and assume nobody will care. Good luck either way.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 24/04/2023 15:30

Just leave. You're massively overthinking it. It's probably stranger to stay in it to be honest.

Parky04 · 24/04/2023 15:34

People leave WhatsApp groups all of the time when it's no longer relevant to them!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 24/04/2023 15:34

Just leave, it's been 3 years, no one will care.

Blizzard23 · 24/04/2023 15:40

No one will notice or care. Just leave.

Wishona · 24/04/2023 15:42

Just message, ‘can’t come back to yoga just now so I’m leaving the group’
Then do it. Then forget about it.

Tabby87 · 24/04/2023 16:06

Archive + mute. Same thing

pontipinemum · 24/04/2023 16:07

Archive it, you won't get notifications and it won't be in your main messages either. Basically you won't see it. I get what you mean about not wanting to leave.

BramblyHedgeMouse · 24/04/2023 16:08

You’re overthinking this.
If they remember who you are, they’ll know you haven’t joined the group for ages so they’ll assume you’re no longer available or interested and that’ll be it.

But chances are they won’t notice the message or they may have muted the group just like you did.

ThreeRingCircus · 24/04/2023 16:10

Wishona · 24/04/2023 15:42

Just message, ‘can’t come back to yoga just now so I’m leaving the group’
Then do it. Then forget about it.

Exactly this. Nobody will give it a second thought.

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 24/04/2023 16:10

If you're worried what they'll think (which they won't think anything) just say "sorry guys, il be leaving the group. Nice to meet you all" and leave.

But I'd just leave.

ThreeRingCircus · 24/04/2023 16:10

And I agree it's actually stranger to stay in a WhatsApp group for an activity you no longer do than just send a quick message and leave.

AliceOlive · 24/04/2023 16:12

I would send a nice message “This has been lovely but I’m moving on due to life and schedule changes. All the best everyone!”

Remmy123 · 24/04/2023 16:12

If your not doing yoga just leave it your overthinking - who is really going to give a shit?

PrettyMaybug · 24/04/2023 16:21

@Firesgoneout

You have nothing to do with these people and are never going back. There is literally NO reason for you to stay. OR be concerned about it.

I 'unfriended' 3 people on facebook - in early April, even though I still have 3 to 5 mutual friends. I doubt they have even noticed (and even if they have they won't care as we have had no contact, or seen each other for 2 to 3 years.)

I know someone right now who is in a whatsapp group at work, (a 'friends' one not an official work one,) and it's turned out these people are very catty spiteful bitchy people, who are really REALLY nasty about several other work colleagues. They keep badgering this person I know to do stuff for them too, and it's becoming a pain in the arse. This person wants to leave desperately, but it's harder when you're still in contact with/working with the people in question.

Original poster
Firesgoneout · 24/04/2023 16:24

Thanks for replying - it’s a very small group (less than 15 people) so they will notice.

So… if I archive the whole WhatsApp conversation will that be a way of leaving without sending out any notifications? That might be the way forward.

OP posts:
ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 24/04/2023 16:25

Firesgoneout · 24/04/2023 16:24

Thanks for replying - it’s a very small group (less than 15 people) so they will notice.

So… if I archive the whole WhatsApp conversation will that be a way of leaving without sending out any notifications? That might be the way forward.

You wouldn't have actually completely left the group but you won't see the chat.

PrettyMaybug · 24/04/2023 16:26

Why does it matter? Why do you care @Firesgoneout if you have nothing to do with these people anymore? Confused I'm confused.

EmotionalSupportWyrm · 24/04/2023 16:28

Firesgoneout · 24/04/2023 16:24

Thanks for replying - it’s a very small group (less than 15 people) so they will notice.

So… if I archive the whole WhatsApp conversation will that be a way of leaving without sending out any notifications? That might be the way forward.

I totally understand - I was in a language learning group pre Covid - that went online and we were all in a WhatsApp - I never went back to classes, but am FB friends now with some members of the group and didn't want any drama so just archived the group. Problem solved.

isthismylifenow · 24/04/2023 16:31

Only admins can see if you leave a group now.

The xx has left the group isn't a thing anymore.

You can leave discreetly and then think no more of it.

SavBlancTonight · 24/04/2023 16:40

So for three years you have not taken part int he group discussion in any way whatsoever? Frankly, I'd be THRILLED to see the "xxx has left the group message". In those situations I always want to remove the non-participant as it feels so rude but it feels rude to keep them in. 9/10 a new group lands up being set up.

Or a note say, "hi all. so sorry I haven't been involved - I always hoped we'd go back to in person classes but as that hasn't happened I'm going to leave you guys to it. I hope you keep enjoying it! All the best." and off you go. They'll breathe a sign of relief, believe me.

InSpainTheRain · 24/04/2023 17:09

Just leave! Or perhaps move to another village 4 house away and day you can't make the journey, then leave. 😀

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