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Going out with friends, common interests or a family reunion? If you’re dreading the inevitable “Hey, let’s create a WhatsApp group” and the coming deluge of notifications and emojis… there’s an easy way out you can use without going too far.
A sneaky new WhatsApp trick lets you quietly leave groups without notifying everyone.
The messaging app has now rolled out a feature that allows users to leave chats without embarrassment or too much drama.
The ‘Bantz’ Group: Tired co-workers or family members trying to plan ‘fun’ activities? Now you can go out in peace without ruffling too many feathers
Leave quietly: Make sure to “Notify only group admins” when leaving group chats
To put more distance between you and your old group chat friends… turn off read receipts.
Last year it emerged that WhatsApp was testing a new feature first spotted by independent WhatsApp experts WABetaInfo.
And earlier this year, the messaging giant smuggled the feature in forever.
Allows users to leave group chats silently without sending a notification to other members.
This means if you get added to chats you don’t want to join, or if the plans for an event are long gone, you can jump in now and avoid awkward moments.
The new feature can also prevent awkward encounters with more sensitive party members who may take your goodbyes badly.
With this new feature, only the group admin will be notified of your exit.
Of course, group members can see that you’ve left by looking at the participant list on the group details page.
Before the feature was rolled out, WhatsApp sent a notification to the entire group when someone left.
But with the new version, once users enable the feature in their WhatsApp settings, no matter what group you choose to leave from, users will no longer be able to see the message.
However, note that the admins – the people who created the group – cannot use this feature in that particular chat.
Therefore, they can only go out in groups that they are not responsible for.
How to end chats on Android?
Android users can just tap and hold on the group they want to leave.
Then they have to click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of their screen.
Choose Exit.
You’ll then see an on-screen message that says, “Only group admins will be notified that you left the group.”
How do I end chats on iPhone?
Those using an iPhone or who have WhatsApp installed on their Apple device will need to swipe left on the group they want to leave.
Click more.
Then click on “Exit”.
Users will see an on-screen message that says, “Only group admins will be notified that you left the group.”
Otherwise, you can disable read receipts if you’re worried about the backlash you might get from leaving a group.
This means your contacts won’t be able to see if you’ve read their message.
Note, however, that turning off read receipts also prevents you from seeing when others have read your messages.
To disable read messages you need:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to settings
- Then the accounts
- Click Privacy
- Then turn off the read receipts switch
