Learning texting etiquette is sometimes difficult to master, even for people who exchange text messages frequently. There are different options for ending a conversation if you want to end a text message or leave a group chat without offending anyone. Ask politely for permission, plan to talk later, or say you're busy and can't talk. This way, you can end the conversation without hurting anyone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Ending the Chat Politely
Step 1. Say you have to do something then leave the chat
After exchanging a few short messages with someone, ask permission to leave the chat by saying something to them. For example, "I want to go to the fitness center in a moment, let's continue the conversation next time, okay?" Sentences like this will make the person you're talking to realize that you won't be responding quickly to their messages.
Be sure to write appropriate responses depending on who you are speaking to. If you're talking to a coworker, say something like, “I want to cook dinner. See you at the office Monday!”
Step 2. Tell me why you can't talk right now
Sometimes, you can end a conversation by saying something simple like "I'm at the office, I'll see you later!". Most people will understand as long as the reason used to end the conversation is clear.
- For example, if you're at home, say, "There's a guest at the door, we'll talk another time!"
- If you want to drive, send a short message like "I'll see you later, I'm driving"
- Don't lie about what you're doing or why you can't talk. Usually, the person you're talking to will know if you're lying so they can get angry.
Step 3. Tell him you're going to bed when it's late
Most people will understand if you have to end the conversation to go to bed. When you feel tired, tell the other person that you need to go to sleep. Don't fall asleep while still exchanging text messages. People will think you are rude!
- For example, you could say something like “I want to sleep now, until tomorrow!”. Say something like this if you know that the chat won't continue until tomorrow.
- If you rarely talk to your friends, say something like “My eyes are so heavy. Let's continue later." Then, plan a time to talk on the phone or video call in the next few days.
Step 4. Respond by using emoji if deemed appropriate
When you're chatting with someone you see often, respond to their message using an emoji to put the conversation on hold until you see them again. Remember! Make sure you use the appropriate emoji to respond to the message before hitting the send button.
- For example, if a roommate sends a message "I'm wrapping pizza for dinner". You can respond by using a heart-shaped eye emoji or a thumbs up emoji to let him know that you're happy and that you've read his message.
- If a friend or family member sends you the message “You are empty?” or “Can we talk later?”. You can reply with a thumbs up or thumbs down emoji, depending on your answer.
- A reply like this is a great way to end the conversation before the conversation gets too long. If you don't respond using sentences or words, the other person will feel the need to not reply to the message.
Step 5. Wait before replying to the message if you don't know what to reply
If you've been exchanging text messages for a while and then run out of words to reply to again, wait a moment for the idea to come up again. Try to think for 15-30 minutes, so people won't think you're ignoring the message.
- If you run out of ideas to say, end the conversation by saying that you are busy or plan to talk again at a later time.
- Don't feel pressured to immediately reply to a message you just received. If you don't have any ideas, sometimes it's better to wait until you have a good idea or a funny thing to say.
Method 2 of 3: Ending a Conversation with a Liked Person
Step 1. End the short message with a cute comment or emoji
If you're about to end a conversation with your crush, try to always keep the message casual but cute. Use cute emojis. Like the emoji that gives a kiss or the one with the eye of the heart. Let him know you're thinking about it even if you don't put it into words.
- Before going to bed, say “Good night, can't wait to chat again tomorrow! Xoxo” or “Sweet dreams!”.
- If you want to talk to someone at a later time, try saying “I have to go now, but what do you think of Drake's new album? We'll talk about this later, okay?"
Step 2. Plan to talk at another time face to face or by phone
If you're talking to someone you normally call, but you haven't been able to text them back for a while, plan to talk to them again later. Make specific plans so that he knows when you will contact him later.
For example, if you are at school, say to the person you are talking to in the morning, “I have class all day now, but I will finish at 4:30 pm. Want to meet at 5 for a meal?”
Step 3. Thank him for taking the time to go out on a date
Don't wait for your date to call back after the date. It is outdated. If you're exchanging text messages after a date, end the conversation by saying thank you for a nice date. Then, ask him out on a date again.
- For example, you could say “Thanks for the date tonight! Let's plan our next date."
- If you're sure that he likes you too, try saying something bolder. For example, “I wish I could dream of you tonight!”.
Step 4. End the conversation casually if you are not interested in continuing to date him
Talking to someone who has feelings for you can be a little difficult. So, try to stay friendly but don't make small talk when responding. If you don't want to chat with him, let him know that you're not in the mood to chat and want to end the conversation there.
- For example, if he asks you to meet, say "You're nice, but I don't think we have the same feelings."
- Don't give the impression that you want to continue the conversation later, let alone say "Continue at another time!". Words like this can make him misunderstood.
- If you don't feel safe after rejecting someone, tell someone you trust. Call the police as soon as possible if your date sends you threats or starts acting weird.
Method 3 of 3: Leaving a Group Chat on iMessage
Step 1. Ask permission from the group
Before leaving the chat, send a message to let the group members know that you want to leave the group conversation. There's no need to give a reason why, but saying why can prevent people from adding you back to this group or to other groups that will be created later.
You can say "Hi, sorry. I will leave this group. My phone is slowing down from receiving too many text messages!”
Step 2. Open the message thread in the “Messages” or “Messages” app
Open the “Messages” app which is usually located at the bottom of the screen. The shape is like a green box with a speech column balloon in the middle. Scroll through the messages until you find the group you are looking for and then exit from there.
- Look for the names of people in the group or the name of the group. Depending on who created the group, they could name it based on the content of the messages there.
- If you can't find the text message, use the search feature in the text message app and type the person's name in the message.
Step 3. Tap on the “i” sign at the top right corner of the message
The "i" button surrounded by a circle serves to take you to the short message information page. Here you can see group members, shared photos, and more. When you are on the information page, you will find the words “Details” at the top of the screen.
If you can't find the "i" button, exit the message menu and then open it again to bring it up
Step 4. Select “Leave this Conversation” or “Leave Conversation” on the information menu
Below the group member name and the option to share your location, there is a section on the screen that says “Leave this Conversation” in red. Tap on this section, then tap the button that appears from the bottom of the screen.
- If you don't see this button, it means that the message is not part of iMessage because the group members don't have iMessage. On iPhone, you can only leave iMessage groups.
- If the text on the menu is grayed out, it means there are only 3 people in the group. To be able to leave a group of only 3 people, add someone else to it to fill your place.
Step 5. Turn on “Do Not Disturb” to mute notifications without leaving the group
This “Do Not Disturb” function will turn off notifications from short message groups, but you can view the contents of the conversation and respond when not busy. Above the “Leave This Conversation” section, the “Do Not Disturb” section will turn green instead of gray.
- If you want to receive notifications from the group again, toggle the “Do Not Disturb” switch to its original position.
- This will only turn off notifications for one series of short message conversations. If you don't want to receive notifications at all on your phone, you can turn on Do Not Disturb mode.
Tips
- Always read the contents of short messages before sending them. Especially, if you are talking to an important person like your boss. This can save you from embarrassing typos!
- Don't feel that you have to reply to all messages received. In general, only reply to messages that really need to be answered right away. If the message isn't very important, it's okay not to reply right away.
