You can leave a Snapchat group in two taps from the chat screen
Open the group chat you want to leave, then press and hold the group name at the top of the screen. A menu will appear with several options — tap Leave Group. Confirm when Snapchat asks if you're sure. You'll be removed immediately, and the group will no longer appear in your chat list.
Once you leave, you won't receive messages from that group anymore, and group members won't be able to see you in the participant list. If you change your mind later, someone in the group will need to add you back — there's no way to rejoin on your own.
The process is the same whether you're on iPhone or Android. If you're the group creator, leaving works the same way, though the group itself continues without you.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the group name at the top of any group chat to see the Leave Group option.
- Leaving a group removes you from the chat list and stops all notifications from that group.
- You cannot rejoin a group you've left — someone must add you back manually.
- Group creators can leave groups they started, and the group continues without them.
- Other members will see that you've left once they look at the participant list.
What happens when you leave a group
When you leave, your name disappears from the group's member list. Other people in the chat can still see all the messages you sent before you left, but they won't be able to send you messages through that group anymore.
You also stop receiving notifications from the group. If someone mentions you by name after you've left, you won't get a notification about it. The group chat simply vanishes from your inbox.
If the group is important to you later and you want back in, you'll need to ask someone who's still a member to add you. There's no "rejoin" button or way to get back in on your own.
Leaving versus muting or blocking
Leaving a group is permanent removal, but Snapchat offers other options if you just want to reduce notifications. Muting a group silences notifications without removing you — you stay in the chat and can still see messages, but you won't get alerts. To mute, press and hold the group name and select Mute.
Muting is useful if you want to stay in a group but don't want constant notifications. You can unmute anytime by pressing and holding the group name again and selecting Unmute.
If you want to block a specific person in the group rather than leave entirely, you can block them individually. That person won't be able to message you or see your stories, but you'll still be in the group with everyone else.
If you're the group creator
Snapchat doesn't require you to transfer ownership or do anything special before leaving a group you created. You can simply leave the same way anyone else does — press and hold the group name and tap Leave Group.
The group continues to exist after you leave. Other members can still chat, and whoever has been in the group longest becomes the de facto leader for adding or removing people, though Snapchat doesn't formally assign a new "owner."
If you want to delete the group entirely rather than just leave it, you'll need to remove all other members first. Do this by pressing and holding each person's name in the group and selecting Remove. Once everyone is gone, the group disappears.
Removing someone else from a group you created
If you're the group creator and want to remove a specific person without leaving yourself, press and hold their name in the member list and tap Remove. They'll be taken out of the group immediately and won't receive a notification that they were removed.
The removed person can still see the messages they sent before being removed, but they can't see new messages or participate anymore. If you want them back in later, you'll need to add them again manually.
Troubleshooting: The Leave Group option isn't showing
If you press and hold the group name and don't see a Leave Group option, try closing Snapchat completely and reopening it. Sometimes the menu doesn't load properly on the first try.
Make sure you're pressing and holding the group name at the very top of the chat screen, not the message area. If you're holding in the wrong spot, you'll get a different menu with options like Pin or Unpin instead.
If the option still doesn't appear after restarting the app, check that you're running the latest version of Snapchat. Outdated versions sometimes have display bugs. Update through your phone's app store and try again.
What you should know before leaving
Leaving a group is visible to other members. They'll see your name disappear from the participant list, so they'll know you've left. There's no way to leave quietly or hide the fact that you've left.
If the group is for work, school, or an organized event, leaving might be noticed and could affect your participation. Consider whether muting is a better option if you want to stay informed but reduce notifications.
You also won't receive any messages sent after you leave, even if someone specifically mentions you or sends an important announcement. If you're worried about missing something critical, ask someone to fill you in before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a group without anyone knowing?
No. Other members will see your name disappear from the participant list when you leave. There's no private or silent way to exit a group. If you want to stay informed without notifications, muting is a better option.
What if I leave a group and then want to rejoin?
You can't rejoin on your own. Someone who's still in the group will need to add you back. You'll need to contact them outside of Snapchat and ask them to invite you again.
Will people see my old messages after I leave?
Yes. All the messages you sent before leaving stay visible to group members. Leaving only stops you from receiving new messages — it doesn't delete your message history.
Can I leave a group if I'm the only admin?
Yes. You can leave a group you created without transferring ownership or removing other members. The group continues, and other members can still chat and add new people.
Does leaving a group delete it?
No. Leaving removes only you from the group. The group itself stays active for everyone else. To delete a group entirely, you'd need to remove all other members one by one.