Yes, you can exit from a WhatsApp group even if you created it. As the group admin, you have full control over the group and can leave whenever you want. Here’s a detailed look at how to exit your own WhatsApp group.
Why Would You Want To Leave Your Own WhatsApp Group?
There are a few common reasons why you may want to exit a WhatsApp group you created:
- You no longer want to manage or moderate the group
- The group has become inactive
- You want to take a break from the group
- You created the group for a specific purpose that’s now finished
- You want to hand over admin privileges to someone else
As the admin, the group is tied to your phone number so it makes sense you can leave if you want. Leaving the group doesn’t delete it – all the members remain and conversations stay intact.
How To Exit Your Own WhatsApp Group
Exiting a WhatsApp group you created is simple:
- Open the WhatsApp group chat
- Tap on the Group name at the top of the screen to open the Group info page
- Scroll down and tap Exit group
- Tap Exit to confirm
You’ll immediately be removed from the group. As the admin, WhatsApp will prompt you to select a new admin before you exit.
Selecting A New Admin
When the admin leaves a WhatsApp group, a new admin needs to be assigned:
- WhatsApp will provide a list of group participants to choose from
- Simply tap on the contact you want to make the new admin
- Once selected, tap OK to confirm
You’ll then exit the group and the selected member will become the new admin.
If You Don’t Select A New Admin
If you opt not to select a new admin before leaving, here’s what happens:
- The group will continue to exist without an admin
- All participants will remain in the group
- Group members can continue chatting as normal
- But, no admin privileges like adding/removing people
- After 72 hours, the most active member will automatically become admin
What Happens When You Exit A WhatsApp Group You Created?
Here are the key things to know:
- You’ll no longer receive any messages from the group
- The group will remain on your Groups list for 60 days before being deleted
- Your chat history remains intact in the group
- You can rejoin the group anytime using the invite link or by asking a participant to add you
The group will continue as normal without you. Even if you don’t select a new admin before exiting, WhatsApp will automatically appoint one after 72 hours.
What If You Want To Delete The Group Permanently?
If you want to entirely delete the WhatsApp group when you exit, that’s possible too:
- From the Group info page, tap on Delete group
- Tap Delete group to confirm
This will immediately and permanently delete the group for all participants. All chat history will also be erased.
Things To Know About Deleting A WhatsApp Group
- Only the current admin can delete a group
- It’s instant and cannot be undone
- Everyone is removed and all conversations deleted forever
So make sure you really want to delete the group before taking this step!
How To Temporarily Disable Notifications
If you don’t want to exit the group fully but need a break from the notifications, you can temporarily mute the chat:
- Long press on the group in your chats list
- Select Mute notifications
- Choose a duration to mute for, like 8 hours or always
You’ll stop receiving notifications during the set duration but remain in the group and can catch up on messages anytime.
Pro Tips For Exiting Your Own WhatsApp Group
Let Members Know You’re Leaving
To make your exit smooth, let members know in advance that you’re leaving and are passing admin privileges to someone else. This prevents confusion down the line.
Choose The Right Successor
When selecting a new admin, pick someone active who can properly manage the group. Avoid leaving groups admin-less for too long.
Remove Irrelevant Members
If there are stale or irrelevant members in the group, remove them before you leave so the new admin starts fresh.
Say Goodbye!
Take a moment to say goodbye to the group and thank members for their participation before making your exit. It’s a nice gesture!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rejoin a WhatsApp group after exiting?
Yes, you can rejoin a WhatsApp group after leaving if you still have the invite link or ask another participant to add you back. Your chat history will still be there.
Who becomes the admin when the original admin leaves?
When the admin exits, a new admin can be selected. If no one is selected, after 72 hours the most active member will automatically become the admin.
Is there a way to leave a WhatsApp group quietly?
There’s no way to exit a WhatsApp group without others being notified. A message saying “XXXX left” always shows for group participants.
What happens to my chat history if I leave a group?
Your entire chat history remains visible in the group even after exiting. Only if the group is deleted will the chat history be erased.
Can I remove someone from a WhatsApp group if I’m not the admin?
No, only the current admin has the ability to remove members from a WhatsApp group. Non-admin members cannot remove others.
Conclusion
Exiting a WhatsApp group you created is straightforward – just tap Exit Group from the Group Info page. You can either select a new admin or leave the group admin-less for 72 hours before WhatsApp appoints one automatically. While you’ll stop receiving messages and notifications after leaving, the group remains intact for all other members. And you can easily rejoin anytime. Overall, don’t be afraid to exit a WhatsApp group you own if you need a break or are ready to move on.