The short answer: it depends on your phone and the app

On iPhone, you can remove someone from a group iMessage by opening the conversation, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting the person's name followed by "Remove." On Android, the process varies by app — some let you remove people, others don't. Text message groups (SMS/MMS) on either phone usually can't be edited once created; you have to start a new conversation without that person.

The reason for this difference matters: iMessage is Apple's proprietary system and works only between iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so Apple controls the full feature set. Standard text messaging (SMS) is older technology that predates group management features. Android messaging apps range widely in what they support, depending on which app you use and whether everyone in the group is using the same app.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone iMessage groups let you remove people by tapping the group name, selecting the person, and choosing "Remove," but only if you started the conversation or if everyone is using iMessage.
  • Android's built-in messaging app usually doesn't support removing people from group texts, though some third-party apps like WhatsApp or Telegram do.
  • Standard text message groups (SMS/MMS) cannot be edited on any phone — you must create a new group without that person.
  • If a group mixes iMessage and regular text users, the group becomes an MMS conversation and loses the removal feature.

Removing someone from an iPhone iMessage group

Open the group conversation in Messages. Tap the group name or photo at the very top of the screen — not the back arrow, but the header area itself. You'll see a list of everyone in the conversation.

Find the person you want to remove and tap their name. A menu will appear with options including "Remove from Group." Tap that option. The person will be removed immediately, and everyone remaining in the group will see a notification that they've been removed.

One important limit: you can only remove people if the conversation is a pure iMessage group (everyone has an Apple device) and if you either started the group or if the group settings allow it. If even one person in the group is using Android or a non-Apple device, the conversation becomes an MMS group text, and the remove feature disappears.

Removing someone from an Android group text

The built-in messaging app on most Android phones — whether that's Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another default app — does not have a remove feature for group texts. Once someone is added, they stay in the conversation. Your only option is to start a new group without that person.

However, if your group uses a third-party app, the rules change. WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger all let you remove people from groups. Open the group, tap the group name or info icon, find the person's name, and look for a "Remove" or trash icon next to their name. The exact steps vary by app, but the feature exists in all of them.

If you're not sure which app your group is using, look at the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. If it's the default messaging app (usually a speech bubble icon), you'll need to create a new conversation. If it's WhatsApp, Telegram, or another named app, open that app and look for the group settings.

What happens when you remove someone

On iMessage, the removed person gets a notification in the group chat saying they've been removed. They can still see all the messages sent before the removal, but they won't receive any new messages from that group. If they try to send a message to the group, it will fail or go only to people they have direct conversations with.

On WhatsApp, Telegram, and similar apps, the removed person also sees a notification and loses access to future messages. Some apps let you remove someone silently (they don't get a notification), while others always notify them. Check your app's settings or the group info screen to see if that option is available.

If you remove someone from a standard text message group (MMS), there's no notification because the group can't be edited — you've simply created a new group without them.

When you can't remove someone

If your group text is an MMS conversation (standard text messaging, not iMessage or a third-party app), removal isn't possible. You'll see "MMS" or no special label at the top of the conversation. The only solution is to create a new group conversation and add everyone except the person you want to exclude.

On iMessage, if the group was created by someone else and that person has left the group, you may not be able to remove others — it depends on the iOS version and whether the original creator set restrictions. If you're unable to remove someone, try updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version, as Apple occasionally changes these permissions.

On Android, if you're using the default messaging app and it doesn't support removal, switching to WhatsApp or Telegram is the only way to get that feature. Both apps are free and let you create new groups with just the people you want.

Starting a new group without someone

If removal isn't an option, create a new conversation. On iPhone, open Messages and tap the compose button (pencil icon). On Android, open your messaging app and tap the new message or compose button. Select all the people you want to include, excluding the person you're removing.

You can copy the conversation name from the old group if you want to keep things organized — for example, "Book Club" instead of "Book Club (old)." Let people know in the old group that you're moving the conversation, or simply start messaging in the new group and let it fade out naturally.

This approach works on any phone and any app, making it the most reliable fallback when the remove feature isn't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I remove see old messages in the group?

Yes. On iMessage and most third-party apps, removed people can still see every message sent before the removal. They just can't see new messages or send messages to the group. If you need to delete old messages, you'll have to delete the entire conversation and start fresh with a new group.

What if someone keeps adding themselves back to the group?

On iMessage, a removed person cannot add themselves back — only someone in the group can re-add them. On WhatsApp and Telegram, you can change the group settings so that only admins can add people, which prevents unwanted members from rejoining. Look for "Group Settings" or "Permissions" in the group info.

Does the removed person get notified every time I remove them?

Yes, each time you remove them, they'll see a notification. If someone keeps getting added back and you keep removing them, they'll see multiple notifications. This is a sign you should probably have a direct conversation about whether they should be in the group.

Can I remove someone from a group text if I didn't create it?

On iMessage, it depends on the group settings and iOS version, but usually yes — any member can remove another member. On WhatsApp and Telegram, only admins can remove people. Check the group info to see if you're listed as an admin. If you're not, ask the group creator to remove them.

What's the difference between removing someone and muting them?

Removing someone deletes them from the group entirely — they can't see new messages and can't send messages. Muting silences notifications for you without affecting the group. If you just don't want to see their messages, muting is less disruptive. Look for "Mute Notifications" or "Mute This Conversation" in the group settings.