Quick Answer
Yes, you can leave a WhatsApp group even if you are the admin. When the group admin leaves a WhatsApp group, the admin privileges are automatically transferred to another participant. So the group will continue to exist with a new admin after the original admin leaves.
Can the admin leave a WhatsApp group?
The admin or group creator of a WhatsApp group has the same privileges as other members when it comes to leaving the group. Just like any participant, the admin can voluntarily exit the group whenever they want.
To leave a WhatsApp group as an admin, open the group chat and tap on the Group name at the top. This will open the Group info screen. Here tap on “Exit group” to confirm you want to leave.
The admin will be removed from the member list immediately after exiting the group. You will no longer be able to access the group chat or view any new messages posted in the group if you voluntarily leave as an admin.
What happens when the admin leaves a WhatsApp group?
When the admin leaves a WhatsApp group, the admin privileges are automatically transferred randomly to one of the existing participants. WhatsApp will randomly select one member to become the new admin.
The selected member will gain admin rights, which include:
- Adding new participants
- Removing participants
- Changing group settings like icon, name, description
- Promoting or demoting admin privileges
Apart from appointing a new admin, nothing else changes in the group when the original admin exits. All previous messages, media, and details remain intact. Members can continue messaging as usual.
So essentially, the group loses the admin who left but operations can continue under the new admin.
Can you rejoin a WhatsApp group after leaving as admin?
If you voluntarily left a WhatsApp group which you created, you cannot rejoin the group by yourself. This is because you gave up all admin privileges when leaving the group.
But the new admin can add you back into the group by using your phone number. To do this:
- The new admin opens the WhatsApp group and taps on the Group name to open Group info.
- Here they tap on “Add participants” and select your phone number from their contacts to add you.
- You will get a group invite notification which you can accept to rejoin the group.
So the only way for a previous admin to rejoin after exiting is to get invited back by the new admin or another participant who has invite permission. You cannot join again on your own because you no longer have admin rights.
What if you accidentally leave a WhatsApp group as admin?
Leaving a WhatsApp group you created removes your admin status. If you exit by mistake, here are some steps to regain admin rights:
- Immediately request any trusted participants to add you back into the group.
- Once re-added, ask the new admin to make you an admin again so you regain the privileges.
- Now make that member a normal participant again so you become the sole admin.
This process lets you essentially undo your accidental exit and become admin again. But it only works if done quickly before the new admin starts making changes or adds/removes members.
Alternatively, you can create a new group and ask your members to join it again. But this means losing your old group chat history.
To avoid accidentally leaving, be careful when tapping “Exit group” in Group info. Double check you want to leave before confirming.
Can a WhatsApp group function without an admin?
WhatsApp groups require at least one admin at all times to manage settings and permissions. When the last admin leaves, the group is automatically deleted after a while.
WhatsApp does not allow groups to exist without an admin for long. If the last admin exits, WhatsApp will try to automatically assign admin powers to an existing member.
- If this succeeds, the group continues functioning with the new admin.
- If automatic transfer fails for some reason, the group gets deleted after 72 hours since the last admin left.
So a WhatsApp group cannot remain active permanently without any admin. The last admin should ideally appoint another admin before leaving to avoid having the group deleted.
Can you delete a WhatsApp group if you are the admin?
Yes, the admin has the authority to delete a WhatsApp group entirely. This permanently removes the group and its chat history.
To delete a WhatsApp group as the admin:
- Open the group chat and tap on the Group name to enter Group info.
- Here scroll down and tap “Exit group”.
- Now tap “Delete group” to confirm deletion.
The group will be erased for all participants once you confirm deletion as the admin. This action is irreversible.
Regular members cannot delete a WhatsApp group. Only the admin has the power to voluntarily disband groups by deleting them. So leaving the group as admin is the only way to remove a WhatsApp group permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Admins can leave WhatsApp groups like any other member using the Exit Group option.
- The admin privileges get transferred to a random participant after the admin leaves.
- Former admin cannot rejoin on their own but need to be re-invited by new admin.
- Groups get automatically deleted if the last admin leaves and no new admin is appointed.
- Only admins can delete an entire WhatsApp group permanently.
Conclusion
Admins have the flexibility to exit groups they created on WhatsApp. The group lives on under a new admin when this happens. Membership and history remains intact.
But the privileges do not revert back to the original admin automatically. To regain admin rights, the help of new admin is needed to re-add and promote the privileges again. Leaving a group permanently deletes your admin powers unless you rejoin and get them back.
| Admin Actions | Group Impact |
|---|---|
| Voluntarily leaves group | Admin rights transferred to other member randomly |
| Rejoins group | Remains regular member unless promoted by new admin |
| Accidentally leaves group | Can regain admin rights if quickly re-added and promoted by willing member |
| Deletes group | Group permanently erased for all members |
So in summary, WhatsApp groups can continue functioning when admins leave by transferring the control to other members. But the departing admin loses all privileges unless given back by the new admin.