How to Remove Someone From a WhatsApp Group (Admin Guide)

Sometimes a group has run its course, a member keeps posting things that don't belong, or someone joined by mistake. Removing a person from a WhatsApp group is a normal admin job, and it's quick. What trips people up is who's allowed to do it, what the person is left with afterwards, and the fact that an old invite link can let them straight back in. This guide covers each of those, using the steps in WhatsApp's help centre, with a business slant for anyone who looks after a customer or community group.

Who can remove someone from a WhatsApp group

WhatsApp's help page says group admins can add or remove members. If you made the group, you can do it. If you didn't, check whether you've been made an admin; if not, ask one to remove the person for you. The help pages also describe a Group permissions screen where admins choose what members can do, and there's a Group admin option in it for picking who else can be an admin.

Remove someone from a WhatsApp group on Android

1. Open the group chat and tap the group subject. Or tap and hold the group in the Chats tab, then tap the menu and Group info.
2. Tap the member you want to remove.
3. Tap Remove followed by their name.
4. Tap OK to confirm.

Remove someone from a WhatsApp group on iPhone

1. Open the group chat and tap the group subject. Or swipe the group to the left in the Chats tab, then tap More and Group Info.
2. Tap the member you want to remove.
3. Tap Remove from Group.
4. Tap Remove to confirm.

The help centre also has web and desktop versions of this article. I haven't covered those steps here, so if you use WhatsApp on a computer, check the help centre's web tab for the exact menu names.

What a removed member is left with in a WhatsApp group

WhatsApp's help page on exiting and deleting groups sets out what happens when you remove a member:

• Removing a member doesn't delete the group from other members' devices. People still see the group in their Chats list and all previous content unless they delete it themselves.
• The removed person's profile name and phone number appear in the Past members list in Group info. Their profile photo may show too, depending on their settings.
• Group members can see that Past members list for up to 60 days after someone leaves.

So removal isn't invisible. Everyone in the group can look up who left. That's another reason I'd have a quiet word first in anything other than a spam situation.

Stop a removed member rejoining your WhatsApp group

Taking someone out doesn't change the group's invite link. If they saved it, it may still work. WhatsApp's help page gives the fix for admins: open the group, tap the group name, tap Invite via link or QR code, then tap Reset link and confirm. It adds that once a link has been reset, the previous link can't be restored.

Check who can create links too. The help page says that with Add other members turned on in Group permissions, members can create group invite links, and with it off only admins can. By default, members of groups with fewer than 33 members can create them. If you want admins in charge, turn the setting off. If you need the full picture of group settings, my guide to creating a WhatsApp group lists the options to choose on day one.

Turn on approval so a removed WhatsApp member can't just walk back in

There's a group permission called Approve new members. WhatsApp's help page says that when it's on, admins must approve anyone who wants to join the group, and that admins still need to approve new members even if invite links are being shared. For a members-only community, that one setting does more than any amount of removing.

Remove a WhatsApp group member versus deleting or leaving the group

People often reach for the wrong tool. WhatsApp's help page explains that to delete a group for everyone, you must first remove all members, and then exit the group. When you exit, you can choose Exit group to keep your chat history, or Exit and delete for me to remove the group from your Chats tab, which permanently removes your history. The page also says that if you've experienced a scam or fraud you may prefer Exit group, so you keep your messages as evidence for local authorities.

If you're an admin and the only one, and you leave, WhatsApp's help page says another member is chosen at random to become admin. So if you want a particular person in charge, make them an admin before you go.

If one person is bothering you privately, block rather than remove

Removing someone only takes them out of the group. It doesn't stop them messaging you privately. For that, blocking someone on WhatsApp is the tool. WhatsApp's help pages also note that you can't block a whole group, but you can exit it and block the admin. And if anyone has threatened you, report it to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

Removing members from a customer WhatsApp group: my habits

• Put the group rules in the description so removal is never a surprise.
• Send a short private note before removing anyone who isn't spamming or abusive.
• Reset the invite link straight after removing someone you don't want back.
• Keep at least two admins so the group never depends on one phone.
• Adding people later? My guide to adding someone to a WhatsApp group covers the options.

Frequently asked questions

Who can remove someone from a WhatsApp group?

Group admins. WhatsApp's help page says admins can add or remove members, so ask an admin if you can't see the option.

What does the removed person see?

WhatsApp's help page says removing a member doesn't delete the group from their device. They keep the group in their Chats list and all previous content unless they delete it themselves.

Do other members see who was removed?

Yes, in a way. WhatsApp's help page says the removed member's profile name and phone number appear in the Past members list in Group info, visible to group members for up to 60 days.

Can a removed member rejoin?

Possibly, if they still have the invite link. Admins can tap Reset link in the invite settings, and the help page says the previous link can't be restored.

How do I delete a WhatsApp group?

WhatsApp's help page says you must remove all members first, then exit the group. Choose Exit and delete for me if you want it gone from your Chats tab.