WhatsApp groups are, in most cases, entertaining and useful for communicating with many people at once. However, at some point, you may get annoyed by the messages and decide that you no longer want to be a member. If so, you've come to the right place.
This article explains how to block a group in WhatsApp. In addition, we will offer you some tricks that you can use to stop receiving notifications and leave the group without anyone noticing. Let's dive into it.
How to Block WhatsApp Group on iPhone App
Unfortunately WhatsApp does not allow you to block a group. But, there are a few methods to stop receiving notifications or stop being a member.
If you don't want to receive annoying notifications, you can mute a group. This way you will still be a member, but you won't mind the messages. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group you want to mute.
- Tap the group name.
- Press "Mute".
- Choose how long you want to turn it off.
- Press "OK".
Other group members won't know you've turned off notifications.
If you no longer want to be a member of a group for any reason, you can leave it:
- Open WhatsApp and open the group you want to leave.
- Tap the group name.
- Tap "Leave Group". You'll see a prompt asking if you want to quit or mute instead.
- Press "Exit".
Keep in mind that all members will see that you have left the group. If you don't want everyone to know you're no longer interested, the best solution is to mute it instead.
If you left a group and keep getting added back, you can block the group admin. It is important to do this before leaving the group again:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group you want to leave.
- Tap the group name and scroll down to view participants.
- Tap the administrator's name, then "Info."
- Scroll down and double tap "Block".
When there are two or more administrators, repeat the steps for each of them.
WhatsApp lets you choose who can add you to groups. This way you can prevent being added to groups you don't want to be a member of:
- Open WhatsApp and go to settings.
- Tap "Account".
- Tap "Privacy".
- Tap on “Groups”.
- Choose one of three options: "Everyone", "My contacts" or "My contacts except".
How to Block WhatsApp Group on Android App
If you want to block a WhatsApp group, the bad news is that WhatsApp doesn't let you do that. However, there are a few things you can do to customize group settings.
When you want to stop receiving messages but stay in the group, you can always turn them off:
- Open WhatsApp and the group you want to mute.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap "Mute Notifications" and choose how long you want to mute them.
- Press "OK".
Other group members won't know that you've turned off your notifications. You will still be able to access the group, read and reply to messages.
Another method is to leave the group. In this case, other members will see that you have left and you will not be able to read future messages. Follow the steps below to leave a WhatsApp group.
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group you want to leave.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap "Group Info".
- Scroll down and tap "Leave Group". You will be asked if you want to leave or deactivate the group instead.
- Press "Exit".
If you left a group and the same person keeps adding you back, you can choose to block them before leaving the group again. Here's what to do:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap "Group Info".
- Scroll down to see the participants and tap the group admin.
- Tap “Show [name]. "
- Scroll down and tap "Block".
- Tap "Block" again to confirm.
By default, anyone with your phone number can add you to a WhatsApp group. If you keep getting added to groups you don't want to be a member of, WhatsApp lets you customize these settings and choose who can add you to groups:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap “Settings”.
- Tap "Account".
- Tap "Privacy".
- Tap on “Groups”. Choose preferred settings.
- Tap "Done".
Admins who can't add you to a group will be able to send you an invite.
How to Block WhatsApp Group on PC
Unlike the mobile version of WhatsApp, blocking a group in the desktop app is not possible. Fortunately, WhatsApp allows you to customize your profile and each group in several ways.
The first thing you can do is mute the group. Other members won't be notified, and you won't have to view group activity if you don't want to. Of course, you can still read and reply to all messages. Follow the steps below to deactivate a WhatsApp group:
- Launch WhatsApp and open the group you want to mute.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Select "Ignore Notifications". Choose whether you want to turn it off for eight hours, a week, or forever.
- Tap "Ignore notifications".
If you no longer want to be part of a WhatsApp group, you can always leave it. Remember that other members will see that you've left and you won't be able to read future posts:
- Launch WhatsApp and open the group you want to leave.
- Select the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Double-tap “Leave Group.”
If you leave a group and get added again, you can ensure this won't happen again by blocking the admin. Remember that you must block the person before leaving the group again:
- Open WhatsApp and group chat.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap "Group Info".
- Scroll down to find attendees. Tap the person with "group admin" next to their name.
- Tap the person's name.
- Scroll down and tap "Block".
- Tap "Block" again to confirm.
If the group has two or more admins, repeat the steps if you want to block them all.
How to block a group invite on WhatsApp
By default, anyone can add you to a WhatsApp group. If the person inviting you is in your contacts, you will automatically become a member. Luckily, WhatsApp lets you customize your group settings. This way you decide who can add you to groups. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings".
- Tap "Account".
- Tap "Privacy".
- Tap on “Groups”. Choose from three options: “Everyone”, “My Contacts” or My Contacts Except…”
- Tap "Done".
Admins who can't add you to a group can send you a private invitation that you can accept or decline. You can customize these settings only in the mobile app.
Can I leave a group without anyone knowing?
If you no longer want to receive group notifications, you can turn them off. You will remain a member and others will not know that you have disabled notifications. However, note that other members will see that you haven't read any messages.
If you are an iPhone user, follow the steps below to deactivate a WhatsApp group:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group you want to mute.
- Tap the group name.
- Press "Mute". Choose one of three options: “Everyone”, “My contacts” or My contacts except…”
- Press "OK".
If you're using an Android, follow these steps to deactivate a WhatsApp group:
- Open WhatsApp and the group you want to mute.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Tap on “Mute Notifications” and select the preferred period.
- Press "OK".
PC users can use the desktop version of WhatsApp to mute a group by following these steps:
- Launch WhatsApp and open the group you want to mute.
- Select the three dots in the upper right corner of the chat.
- Tap "Mute notifications". Choose whether you want to turn it off for eight hours, a week, or forever.
- Tap "Ignore notifications".
WhatsApp How do I block someone in a group?
Although you cannot block a group, you can block one or more of its members, both on the mobile version and the desktop version.
If you're using the mobile app, follow the steps below to block someone:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group.
- Go to group info to view members and tap the person you want to block.
- Tap “Show [name]. "
- Scroll down and tap "Block".
If you're using the desktop version, follow these steps to block a group member:
- Launch WhatsApp and open the group.
- Tap the group name.
- Select the person you want to block from group members.
- Tap the person's name at the top.
- Scroll down and tap "Block".
Stay on top of WhatsApp groups
Although WhatsApp doesn't allow you to block entire groups, there are several ways to customize them. Depending on your preferences, you can mute or leave the group, block the admin or other members, and choose who can add you to group chats.
How do you handle WhatsApp groups you don't want to be a member of? Do you use some of the methods we mentioned? Tell us in the comments section below.
