How do I fix 'You left the conversation' issue in mixed group chats after upgrading to iPhone 17 Pro?

Question

Level 1

14 points

How do I fix 'You left the conversation' issue in mixed group chats after upgrading to iPhone 17 Pro?

I upgraded to an iPhone 17 Pro recently and I have been running into a strange issue with iMessage in mixed group chats that include both iPhone and Android users.

Several times a day, these group threads suddenly display a system message that says “You left the conversation,” even though I never leave the group. I still receive all messages in the thread on my iPhone, and I can continue replying as normal. However, the message keeps repeating itself as if I am leaving over and over.

Here is an example screenshot of what I’m seeing.

The second part of the issue is on my Mac. In the Messages app on macOS, I can still see all the mixed-group messages, but I am not able to reply to them at all. The text field is present, but sending a message does nothing. It is like macOS believes I’ve actually left the group while the iPhone does not.

Troubleshooting I have tried so far:

• Turned iMessage off and back on

• Restarted the iPhone several times

• Confirmed I’m signed into the same Apple ID

• Verified phone number and email addresses for iMessage are active

• Deleted the message threads and started completely new ones

• Updated to the latest version of iOS 26

• Checked for carrier settings updates (none available)

None of these steps have fixed the problem. The “You left the conversation” message continues to appear repeatedly in any mixed SMS/MMS group, and macOS Messages remains unable to send replies even though the iPhone still works.

Device details:

• iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26 (latest version 26.2)

• Mac running latest macOS Tahoe 26.1 (Messages syncs, but cannot send to mixed groups)

• Carrier: Verizon

• Issue only affects mixed iPhone/Android groups, not iMessage-only groups

Before the upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro, I never experienced this behavior.

Has anyone else seen this after upgrading, and is there a known fix or setting I may be missing? Any guidance would be appreciated because it is becoming pretty disruptive and very annoying.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Messages keeps saying I left mixed group chats I am still in and don’t intend to leave, after upgrading to iPhone 17 Pro.

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Nov 17, 2025 9:29 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Crapple3

Level 1

8 points

Nov 25, 2025 7:12 PM in response to RatedRSE

Turn off RCS messaging so it goes back to SMS texting. It worked on my 17Pro. I was getting same issue within a group of android and apple users.

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Answer 2

Dec 30, 2025 12:01 PM in response to RatedRSE

I have been having the same issue since the end of November. I have a 17 Pro and am on iOS 26.2. I cannot send any messages when on RCS in group chats with a mix of Android and iPhone users. I can only send when I turn RCS off, but then I randomly do not receive messages in the chat when on SMS. I have also found that I will only receive messages when the Android user creates a new group message. It cannot be an iPhone user that starts it. I spoke to customer service three times and tried troubleshooting every way we could. I reset the phone to factory settings twice and am still having the issue. I went to the Genius Bar this morning and they tried everything they could and said they think its the service provider, or my specific phone line. So I went to ATT, and they gave me a new ESim and that did not work. They said its 100% not them since I can text Androids individually or even in a group message with just Androids. They said its Apple for sure. Now I am at a dead end, because neither can help me.

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Answer 3

Nov 24, 2025 5:47 PM in response to RatedRSE

same issue 🤷‍♀️. Have also tried all the same troubleshooting. My husband and I both updated to the iPhone 17pro max, with Verizon. He is not having the same issue and we have identical phones and plans. Same color too, I know that has nothing to do with it, but it’s Apple.

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Answer 4

Dec 14, 2025 3:04 PM in response to Raelizz

I have the same issue since I upgraded. I tried the RCS to SMS fix and still have the same issue. Also for some reason it has mysteriously blocked some of my contacts in that same group. Frustrated as unable to respond to the group either as a whole but can view their messages.

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Answer 5

Nov 18, 2025 10:00 AM in response to RatedRSE

I'm having the exact same issue. I went through the troubleshooting suggested online and I'll respond if it helps. So weird.

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Answer 6

abby44

Level 1

16 points

Nov 23, 2025 3:04 PM in response to RatedRSE

I keep getting left conversation message

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Answer 7

RatedRSE Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 25, 2025 8:03 PM in response to Crapple3

Not the most helpful of solutions because it didn’t fix the problem if you want to use RCS (which I do).

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Answer 8

Raelizz

Level 1

8 points

Dec 12, 2025 7:33 PM in response to DanaRuth

I was thinking it’s a glitch too I just upgraded last night and having the same issue exact issue. My name card hasn’t ever been listed like that before.

Hoping something is figured out soon.

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Answer 9

Nov 20, 2025 7:17 PM in response to RatedRSE

I have been getting the "you left the conversation" on a group chat. It is happening at all hours of the day and night and I have not left the conversation. I have a 16+ pro. This appears to be a bug that needs to be fixed. I have tried everything and nothing fixes it. Would love to hear from apple support?????

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Answer 10

arons628

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2025 6:41 PM in response to RatedRSE

I turned off RCS and it stopped the you have left the conversation, but then I started not receiving messages in groups and that’s even worst.

apple needs to fix this. Was due for an upgrade so I got the iPhone 17 and I wish I never had. This is so frustrating

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Answer 11

DanaRuth

Level 1

16 points

Dec 7, 2025 1:34 PM in response to RatedRSE

I'm having the same issue! Tried all the troubleshooting and it seems to have stopped for now, but it's so bizarre and irritating everyone in the chat (myself included)!

I just upgraded to 17 Pro and that's when the issues kicked in. I also noticed that these same group chats that used to have 3 Names at the top (because it's myself and my 3 friends) now show 4 Names at the top (myself included). I feel like the glitch is somehow related to that, but I can't prove why!

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