How to delete a group you manage

If you are the admin of a Facebook group, you can delete it entirely through your group settings. The group will disappear for all members, and no one will be able to find it or rejoin it. Facebook does not restore deleted groups, so this action is permanent.

Open the group, then click the three dots in the top right corner of the group header. Select Edit group settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the settings page and click Delete Group. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Delete again. The group is now gone.

If you are not the admin but a member, you cannot delete the group. You can only leave it. If the group has no active admin, Facebook may eventually remove it, but this can take months or longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Group admins can delete a group permanently by opening group settings, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking Delete Group twice to confirm.
  • Deleted groups cannot be restored, and no member will be able to rejoin or view the group's history.
  • If you are a member but not an admin, you can only leave the group — you cannot delete it.
  • If a group has no active admin and no one is managing it, Facebook may remove it over time, though this is not may provide.

How to leave a group as a member

If you want to stop seeing a group in your feed but do not manage it, you can leave without deleting it for everyone else. Open the group and click the three dots in the top right. Select Leave group. You will no longer receive posts or notifications from that group, and it will no longer appear in your Groups list.

Leaving a group does not notify other members that you have gone. You can rejoin the group later if it is public, or if a member invites you back to a private group.

Removing other members from your group

If you manage a group and want to remove a specific member, click on the member's name or profile picture within the group. Click the three dots next to their name and select Remove from group. That person will no longer see the group or its posts.

Removed members can rejoin a public group on their own, or they can be invited back to a private group. If you want to prevent someone from rejoining, you can ban them instead — select Ban from group from the same menu. Banned members cannot rejoin without your permission.

What happens to group content when you delete

When you delete a group, all posts, photos, files, and comments in that group disappear. Members cannot download or save the group's history before deletion. If the group contained important information or memories, take screenshots or save what you need before you delete.

Facebook keeps deleted group data on its servers for a limited time in case of disputes, but members have no way to recover it. Once a group is deleted, treat it as permanently gone.

Transferring admin rights before you leave

If you are an admin but do not want to delete the group, you can transfer your admin role to another member and then leave. Open the group settings and click Members. Find the member you want to make admin, click the three dots next to their name, and select Make admin. You can now leave the group, and the new admin can manage it going forward.

You can have multiple admins in one group. If you transfer admin rights and then leave, the remaining admins will keep the group running. If you are the only admin and you leave without transferring your role, the group will have no active manager.

Dealing with groups you cannot leave

Some groups, particularly those created by Facebook itself or tied to a business or event, may not have a standard leave option. If you cannot find the leave button, try opening the group on a computer instead of mobile — the menu sometimes appears differently.

If you still cannot leave, you can mute the group instead. Click the three dots and select Mute group. You will remain a member, but you will not see posts from that group in your feed or receive notifications. This is a workaround when leaving is not possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a group after I delete it?

No. Facebook does not restore deleted groups. Once you click Delete Group and confirm, the group and all its content are permanently gone. If you think you might want the group back, consider transferring admin rights to someone else and leaving instead of deleting.

What if I am the only admin and I want to leave?

You must transfer your admin role to another member before you leave. Open group settings, go to Members, find someone you trust, and click the three dots next to their name to make them admin. Once they are admin, you can leave. If you delete the group instead, it will be gone for everyone.

Do removed members know they were removed from a group?

Facebook does not send a notification saying you removed someone. However, they will notice the group is no longer in their Groups list. If the group is public, they may see it again and wonder what happened. Banned members cannot rejoin without your permission.

Can I delete a group from my phone?

Yes, the process is the same on mobile. Open the group, tap the three dots in the top right, select Edit group settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete Group. Confirm the deletion. Some users report the menu appears differently on mobile, so try a computer if you cannot find the delete option.