Whether you’re engaged in iMessage, RCS, or conventional MMS texting, exercising control over your text conversations on your phone is a valuable skill. Here’s a guide on how to leave, mute, or hide text conversations, irrespective of the messaging platform.

**1. ** iMessage or RCS Group Chats on iPhone:

a. Leaving a Chat: – Open Messages on your iPhone. – Navigate to the group chat you want to leave. – Tap the conversation controls at the top of the screen. – If the chat has four or more participants, tap “Leave this Conversation.” – For smaller chats, tap “Hide Alerts” to mute the conversation without leaving.

b. Hiding or Blocking MMS Chats: – While you can’t officially leave MMS group chats, you can hide or block them. – Visit the group chat and tap conversation controls. – Choose “Delete and Block this conversation” to hide or block the conversation. – Alternatively, tap “Hide Alerts” to mute the conversation without deleting.

2. Android Phone with Google Messages:

a. Leaving a Chat: – Open Google Messages on your Android phone. – Go to the chat you want to leave. – Tap the conversation’s name to access Group Details. – At the bottom, tap “Leave Group.” – For muting notifications, tap “Notifications” and customize your preferences.

b. Hiding or Blocking MMS Chats: – Similar to iPhone, you can’t officially leave MMS group chats, but you can hide or block them. – Access options for controlling notifications by visiting the MMS chat thread. – Tap the name of the conversation or participants to bring up the Group Details menu. – Choose “Notifications” to customize notification preferences, including muting or hiding the conversation.

Understanding SMS, MMS, and RCS:

• SMS (Short Message Service): Debuted in 1992, limited to 160 characters.
• MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service): Supports sending photos, videos, and longer messages.
• RCS (Rich Communication Services): Supports typing indicators, read receipts, and end-to-end encryption.

In 2024, Apple is set to support RCS, potentially enhancing group texting features between iPhones and Android phones. Until then, mastering the controls on your phone’s native texting app allows you to manage your conversations effectively.