Leaving Telegram Groups and Channels, and Clearing History

Leaving does not delete your messages

When you leave a group, it disappears from your chat list, but everything you wrote stays in the group for the other members. Telegram's FAQ notes that in groups you can only delete your own messages, so if you want them gone, delete them before you leave. Once you are out, you can no longer reach them.

1. Delete your own messages first, if you want

1. Press and hold one of your messages (right-click on a computer) and select it. Tap more of your messages to select several.
2. Choose delete, and make sure the option to delete for everyone is on.

Only messages you sent can be removed this way. Messages others wrote, including replies quoting you, stay.

2. Leave the group or channel

In a channel the item is Leave Channel. On iPhone you can swipe the chat left in the chat list and delete it, which also leaves; or open the group's info and leave from the bottom. Leaving is quiet in most groups, though small groups may show a short note that you left.

Groups and channels you own

If you created the group, think before leaving. Without its owner, nobody may be able to manage some settings. Two options:

• Hand it over to another admin first, so the group keeps an owner.
• Delete it if it is no longer needed: Android offers Delete and Leave Group, which removes the group for everyone.

Clearing a private chat's history

For a one-to-one chat, Clear History removes the messages. Telegram asks whether to Also clear history for the other person. Leave it off and only your copy goes; switch it on and both copies are removed. After a few seconds there is no undo; see can deleted chats be recovered?

Next step: a contact shows as 'Deleted Account'.