How To Leave A Slack Workspace: A Step-By-Step Guide

Slack has become an essential tool for team communication and collaboration, offering seamless messaging, file sharing, and integrations. However, there may come a time when you no longer need access to a particular workspace—whether you’re switching jobs, wrapping up a project, or simply decluttering your Slack account.

If you’re wondering how to leave a Slack workspace, you’re not alone. Many users find the process unclear, especially when managing multiple workspaces.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to leave a Slack workspace quickly and easily. We’ll also cover key considerations before you exit, what happens after you leave, and alternatives in case you want to stay connected but reduce notifications.

Let’s dive in and help you streamline your Slack experience!

Key Considerations Before Leaving A Slack Workspace

Leaving a Slack workspace is a straightforward process, but before you proceed, it’s important to evaluate a few factors to avoid losing access to valuable information or causing disruptions. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

Backup Important Messages or Files

Review conversations, shared files, and pinned messages for any critical data you might need in the future.
Download important files directly to your device or save them in a cloud storage service.
Take screenshots of key discussions or decisions for quick reference later.

Notify Relevant Team Members

Inform your teammates, managers, or project collaborators about your exit, especially if you’re part of an active project.
Share alternative ways to reach you if further communication is required after you leave.

Check Workspace Permissions and Ownership

If you’re an admin or hold ownership of certain channels, files, or integrations, ensure you transfer these responsibilities to another team member before leaving.
Deactivating your account without doing this might disrupt workflows.

Assess Whether Leaving Is Necessary

Instead of leaving completely, consider alternatives:
- Mute specific channels or conversations to reduce distractions.
- Customize notification preferences to minimize interruptions.
- Use “Do Not Disturb” mode for focused work periods.

Understand What Happens After You Leave

Once you leave, you lose access to all channels, messages, and files in the workspace.
Your profile and messages will remain visible to others, but you won’t be able to participate unless you rejoin.

Taking these steps ensures a smooth transition and minimizes the risk of losing access to important information. Once you’re ready, follow the next section for detailed instructions on how to leave a Slack workspace.

Steps On How To Leave A Slack Workspace

Whether you’re leaving a Slack workspace because you’re changing jobs, wrapping up a project, or simply decluttering your workspace list, the process is fairly simple. However, Slack doesn’t have a direct “Leave Workspace” button, so you’ll need to deactivate your account within that specific workspace. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a smooth exit:

Step 1: Log in to Slack

Open the Slack app on your desktop or mobile device. Alternatively, visit Slack.com and log in via a web browser.
Make sure you’re logged into the correct workspace that you want to leave.
- If you’re part of multiple workspaces, you can switch between them by clicking the workspace name in the upper-left corner of the app.

Step 2: Open Your Profile

Click on your profile picture or name located in the top-right corner of the Slack window.
From the dropdown menu, select “Profile & Account” to access your profile settings.

Tip: On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner, then select your profile icon and proceed to settings.

Step 3: Access Account Settings

In the profile window, click on the three-dot menu (More Actions) or look for the “Edit Profile” button.
From the options, choose “Open Account Settings”—this will redirect you to Slack’s account management page in your web browser.

Important: Slack’s account settings can only be fully managed through the web version, so make sure you have access to a browser if you’re using the desktop or mobile app

Step 4: Deactivate Your Account

Scroll down to the bottom of the Account Settings page until you find the “Deactivate Account” section.
Click the “Deactivate Account” button.
You may be prompted to re-enter your Slack password for security verification.

Note: Once your account is deactivated, you will be logged out automatically and will lose access to all channels, messages, and files within that workspace.

Step 5: Confirm Deactivation

After verifying your password, you’ll need to confirm your decision to deactivate your account.
Once confirmed, Slack will remove you from the workspace, and you won’t appear as an active member anymore.

Step 6: Handling Multiple Workspaces (Optional)

Repeat the Process: If you are part of multiple workspaces, you’ll need to repeat these steps for each one you wish to leave.
Organize Remaining Workspaces: After leaving a workspace, consider rearranging your remaining workspaces in Slack for easier navigation.

Mobile App Instructions (If Using Mobile Instead of Desktop)

Open the Slack app and select the workspace you want to leave.
Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) or hamburger icon (☰) in the top-left corner.
Go to Settings > Account Settings and scroll down to find the Deactivate Account option.
Follow the same deactivation steps as above.

What Happens After You Leave A Slack Workspace?

Access is Revoked: You’ll lose access to all channels, messages, and files within that workspace.
Profile Visibility: Your previous messages and files will still be visible to others, but your account will appear as deactivated.
Rejoining the Workspace: To rejoin later, you’ll need an invite link or admin approval.
Notifications Stop: You will no longer receive notifications or updates from the workspace.

Tips Before Deactivation:

Download Important Files: Backup any critical data before leaving.
Inform Team Members: Notify your team if you’re leaving for professional reasons.
Consider Alternatives: Instead of leaving, you can mute channels, turn off notifications, or set your status to “Away” to reduce interruptions.

By following these steps carefully, you can leave a Slack workspace without any confusion. If you’re unsure about leaving completely, the next section explores alternatives to deactivation that you might find helpful.

What Happens After Leaving A Slack Workspace?

Leaving a Slack workspace is a significant step, especially if you’ve been actively involved in conversations or projects. Here’s what you can expect after you deactivate your account or leave the workspace:

Loss of Access to Channels and Messages

Once you leave a workspace, you’ll no longer have access to any channels, direct messages, or files shared within that workspace.
Even if you were a member of private channels, your ability to view or retrieve messages and files will be revoked.

Tip: Make sure to download any important files or copy critical messages before leaving the workspace.

Your Profile Remains Visible (Deactivated Status)

Your messages, files, and contributions remain in the workspace, but your profile will display as deactivated to other members.
Team members can still view your past interactions, such as comments or shared files, but they won’t be able to send you direct messages.

Notifications and Mentions Stop

Once you leave, you’ll stop receiving any notifications from the workspace, including direct messages, mentions, or updates.
This means you won’t be interrupted by alerts from the workspace anymore.

You’ll Need an Invite to Rejoin

If you decide to return to the workspace later, you won’t be able to do so automatically.
You’ll need an invite link from an admin or owner to rejoin the workspace, and your re-entry will start as a new member—your previous profile won’t be restored.

Ownership or Admin Role Transfers Are Required (For Admins or Owners)

If you were an admin or workspace owner, leaving without transferring ownership can cause disruptions.
Ensure you hand over any admin privileges or file ownerships to another member before deactivating your account.

Integrations and App Access May Be Lost

If you’ve set up any integrations or apps connected to the workspace, these may no longer function as expected after you leave.
Notify team members to transfer ownership or reconfigure these tools before exiting.

Data and Privacy Considerations

Your data and messages remain stored in the workspace, as Slack retains historical data for team collaboration purposes.
However, your deactivated status ensures no further updates or edits can be made using your account.
Review Slack’s privacy policies if you have concerns about data retention.

No Impact on Other Workspaces

If you’re part of multiple Slack workspaces, leaving one will not affect your membership in others.
You can continue using Slack for different teams or projects without any interruptions.

Conclusion

Understanding how to leave a Slack workspace is essential for managing your professional transitions smoothly. Whether you’re stepping away from a completed project or moving to a new role, leaving a workspace doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right preparation—such as saving important files and notifying your team—you can exit without any disruptions.

If you’re unsure about leaving entirely, alternatives like muting channels or adjusting notifications may be better options. Whatever you decide, this guide ensures you can handle the process confidently and efficiently!