How to Remove Someone from a Group Text Messages on iPhone

If you want to remove someone from a group of text messages on iPhone, it's easier than you might think in iMessage. If you're using the iMessage group message and someone no longer belongs to the group, it's not completely impossible to remove them from future communications.

This tutorial will walk you through how to remove users, add users, deactivate groups, and manage trolls in your group.

Delete Someone From Group Text Messages In iMessage

Even if you're not being trolled, being added to a particularly active group can be a downside. Whatever your reasons for wanting to remove someone from a group text message, it's easy to do on the iPhone, although the controls are a little hidden.

Just keep in mind that everyone in the group chat must use iMessage (blue chat bubbles); it will not work with regular SMS or MMS group chats (green chat bubbles). You also need at least three other people in the group chat (four people total) for the Remove possibility of appearing.

You will not see the 'Delete' option if:

• There are less than three total members in your group message.
• There's a contact using SMS messaging – Even an iPhone can use SMS and still appear blue, meaning you won't see the "Delete" option.
• Someone is using an operating system other than Apple.

Assuming all conditions are met, here's how to remove someone from an iMessage group:

Step 1

Open the group chat in question from your iMessage app.

Step 2

Tap the icon group at the top of the iMessage group.

Step 3

Press the 'is' that appears on the right to open the list of group members.

Step 4

Swipe left on the name of the person you want to remove and tap "Remove" when it appears on the right. If you can't swipe to reveal the "Delete" option, see the warning above.

Step 5

Select Remove when the pop-up window appears.

This immediately removes that person from your message group. If you don't have the option to "Delete", then you will need to start a new thread without the unwanted contact. The chat history will still remain on your phone, but they won't receive any new ones as long as you text in the new group and not the old one.

Remove from an iMessage group

There is an option to remove yourself from an iMessage group assuming the criteria listed above are met. If someone adds you to a group you don't want to belong to, follow these steps:

Step 1

Open the iMessage group as you did before and click on the little "i" under the profile pictures.

Step 2

Scroll down the information page and tap "Leave this conversation".

Add someone to an iMessage group

Luckily, if you missed a contact, you can add one later. The same, admittedly weird, criteria above apply, so if there's an SMS user in the group, you won't be able to make it.

Open the info page like we did above and tap on the “+ Add contact” option. Choose the contact and add them to the group as you normally would.

Mute a conversation in iMessage

If you're not ready to leave the conversation but want to take a break, you can hide alerts. It involves less hassle and saves you a confrontation.

1. Open the group chat on your iPhone and tap the profile pictures circle at the top of the window
2. Press the 'je' when it appears to display the list of group members.
3. Select Hide Alerts at the bottom of the group window.

This will prevent any chat alerts from reaching your phone, thereby ignoring them.

You can also stop messages from an individual in a group.

1. Open the group chat on your iPhone.
2. Select the blue "i" icon for information in the top right to open the list of group members.
3. Select the person you want to block and select Block this caller.
4. Return to the Group window and select Done.

This last step is important because iMessage won't always block the person unless you confirm in the group window.

Block a contact

If you're out of options, consider blocking a contact. Assuming you can't leave a group you never asked to join (like a spammer), your only option is to block people in the group.

If that's the option you're forced to take, we've got a full tutorial here on how to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protecting your peace of mind in the digital age shouldn't be a problem. Here's some additional information on managing your iMessage groups.

Can I delete the whole group?

Unfortunately no. You can swipe to delete the conversation, but everyone will remain in the group.

Can I update a group member's contact information?

Yes, using the "i" mentioned above should give you access to updating users' phone numbers. If it doesn't update properly, just add the new contact to the group.

What happens if I block a contact who is in a group message with me?

If you block someone in an iMessage group, they'll still be in the group. But luckily they can't see your messages and you can't see theirs. If someone is bothering you, you can simply block that contact without kicking them out of the iMessage group altogether.

Keep in mind that other contacts will continue to see messages from you and your blocked contact.

Start a new group chat that excludes the troll

If you are not the one who started the group chat and others are responding to the troll, you may just need to remove yourself from the group chat and then create a new message group that will exclude the troll. If you then send a message telling the group why you started the new message group, people can then mute or opt out of the original group and continue the more civil conversation in the new group.

Do you have any suggestions on how to avoid trolls in text messaging groups, social networks and online forums? If yes, please comment below.