How to Delete WhatsApp Group Permanently (Desktop and Mobile)

Quick Tips

• Only admins can permanently delete a WhatsApp group.
• Desktop: Open group > View members > Remove each member > Exit group > Delete group.
• Android/iOS: Open group > View members > Remove each member > Exit group > Delete group.

How to Delete WhatsApp Group Permanently as Admin

As an admin, you are authorized to delete the group from its existence. The admin rights will remain with the admins if there are multiple admins. WhatsApp will, however, randomly make another administrator if you are the only admin.

On Desktop

Step 1: Open the group that you want to delete for everyone. Tap on the top bar to view group members.

Step 2: [Only for Windows] Go to the Members tab in the modal, and right-click on anyone from the group you want to remove. 

Step 3: From the context menu, click on Remove from group.

Now, repeat the above steps to remove all the group members. Once you remove everyone, it’s time to exit the group; continue with the below steps. 

Step 4: Right-click on the group you want to exit.

Step 5: From the menu, click on Exit group.

Note: If you are on Mac, More > Delete Group. 

Step 6: In the confirmation pop-up, choose Exit. 

After you exit it, you will see the Delete button. Tap on it to remove the group permanently. 

There you go. You have deleted the WhatsApp group for everyone and dissolved the WhatsApp group. If you don’t have access to a desktop and want to do the same using a WhatsApp mobile device, continue reading. 

On Android/iOS

Step 1: Open the group that you want to delete for everyone. Tap the top bar to view group members.

Step 2: Just hold the member’s name and hit the Remove button.

Repeat step 2 for all the group members.

Step 3: Now, tap Exit group at the bottom of the group info and choose Exit.

Once you have removed everyone, exit the group. After you exit it, you will see the Delete button. Tap on it to remove the group permanently.

In case, you are wondering, how to remove all participants from the WhatsApp group at once? Well, there’s no shortcut. You will have to remove them individually.

That said, if you are a member and want to close a WhatsApp group? Keep reading. 

How to Delete WhatsApp Group Permanently as a Member

On Desktop

The steps are the same for WhatsApp for Windows and Mac. For demonstration, we are going with Windows. Follow the below steps.

Step 1: Right-click on the group you want to exit.

Step 2: From the menu, click on Exit group.

Note: If you are on Mac, More > Exit Group.

Step 3: In the confirmation pop-up, choose Exit. 

You will be out of the WhatsApp group. However, the group will remain existent in your Chats. If you want to delete that as well, continue with the steps below.

Step 4: Right-click on the group you want to delete.

Step 5: From the confirmation pop-up, choose Delete. 

That’s how you dissolve WhatsApp groups. If you don’t have access to a desktop and want to do the same using the WhatsApp app on your mobile device, continue reading. 

On Android/iOS

Step 1: Open the WhatsApp group that you want to delete. Tap the top bar that shows group info.

Step 2: On the next screen, scroll down to find the Exit group option. Tap on it.

Step 3: A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm your decision. Tap on Exit.

Once you do that, you will see that the group is still visible on your device. If you want to remove it from your phone, continue with the steps below.

Step 3: Tap the Delete group button. A pop-up will appear. Tap on Delete group.

Deleting the group by pressing the Delete button will permanently delete it for you and remove all the chat history of this group from your phone.

Can You Delete WhatsApp Group Without Admin

You cannot delete a WhatsApp group without being the admin of that group. This is because the admin is the one who created the group and has the authority to manage it. If you are not the group admin, you can only exit the group.

How to Delete WhatsApp Group Without Exiting

Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not provide a delete option for groups by default. The only way to delete a group is to exit it first and then tap on the delete button that appears. If you don’t want to exit the group, you can archive the group/chat, or if you are a member, you can also leave a WhatsApp group without anyone knowing.

If you have any queries we missed, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Deleting a WhatsApp Group Permanently

Whether driven by inactivity, privacy concerns, or administrative decisions, knowing how to delete a WhatsApp group permanently helps you manage it efficiently.