Group texts work differently on iPhone and Android, and the steps depend on which messaging app you use

On iPhone, open the Messages app, tap the pencil icon in the top-left corner, then tap "New Message." Type or search for the first contact, tap to add them, then repeat for each person you want to include. Type your message and send — everyone receives it as a group thread.

On Android, open your default messaging app (usually Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another pre-installed option), tap the compose button (usually a pencil or plus icon), select "New conversation" or "New message," then search for and add each contact one by one. Type your message and send.

If you use a third-party app like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger, the process is similar but happens inside that app instead of your phone's built-in messaging. Open the app, look for a "New Chat" or "New Group" button, add contacts, and send your first message.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone Messages: tap the pencil icon, add contacts one at a time, then type and send your message.
  • Android Messages: tap compose, select new conversation, add each contact, then send.
  • Third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have their own group creation buttons, usually labeled "New Group" or "New Chat."
  • Group texts on built-in messaging apps include everyone who receives the message in one thread, but delivery and read receipts work differently than one-on-one texts.
  • You can name a group in most apps by tapping the group name or settings, though built-in phone messaging may not support custom names.

iPhone Messages: step-by-step

Tap the Messages app on your home screen. In the top-left corner, you'll see a pencil icon inside a square — tap it. This opens a new message screen.

Tap the "To:" field at the top. Start typing the first person's name or phone number. As you type, matching contacts appear below. Tap the contact you want to add. Their name appears in a blue bubble in the "To:" field.

Tap the "To:" field again and repeat for each additional person. You can add as many contacts as you want, though very large groups (over 100 people) may cause delivery issues on some networks. Once all contacts are added, tap in the message field, type your message, and tap the blue send arrow.

Android Messages: step-by-step

Open your messaging app — this is usually Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or whatever came pre-installed on your phone. Look for a compose button, typically a pencil icon or a plus sign, usually in the bottom-right or top-right corner of the screen.

Tap the compose button. You'll see an option to create a "New conversation" or "New message." Tap it. A screen appears with a field to add recipients.

Tap the recipient field and start typing a contact's name or phone number. Matching contacts appear as you type. Tap each person you want to add. Their name or number appears in a bubble or list. Add as many people as you need, then tap the message field, type your message, and send.

Creating a group in WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger

These apps have dedicated group features separate from regular one-on-one messaging. Open WhatsApp, tap the "Chats" tab at the bottom, then tap the compose icon (pencil or plus). Select "New group." Search for and tap each contact you want to add, then tap "Create" or "Next."

In Telegram, tap the compose icon (pencil), then select "New Group." Add contacts the same way, then choose a group name and tap "Create Group."

In Facebook Messenger, tap the compose icon at the top, then tap "Create a group." Search for and add each person, then tap "Create." You can name the group or leave it unnamed — Messenger will show the members' names instead.

All three apps let you add a group name, profile picture, and description after creation. You can usually change these settings by tapping the group name at the top of the conversation.

Differences between group texts and one-on-one messages

In a group text using your phone's built-in messaging app, everyone in the conversation sees all replies in one thread. However, read receipts (the "Read" indicator showing when someone opened your message) may not work the same way as in one-to-one texts — some phones and carriers don't support them in groups.

Third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram show read receipts more reliably in groups. They also let you mute notifications for a group, pin important messages, and search the conversation history more easily than built-in messaging apps.

One important difference: if someone leaves a group text on iPhone, the group may break up and revert to individual one-on-one conversations with each person. This doesn't happen in WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger — the group stays intact even if members leave.

Naming a group and changing settings

On iPhone, tap the group conversation to open it, then tap "Details" in the top-right corner. Scroll down and tap "Edit Name and Photo." Type a name for the group and optionally add a photo, then tap "Save."

On Android with Google Messages, open the group conversation, tap the three dots or settings icon at the top, then select "Group details" or "Edit group." Type a name and add a photo if you want, then save.

In WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger, tap the group name at the top of the conversation to open group settings. You'll see options to change the name, add a profile picture, add a description, and control who can send messages or edit the group.

Troubleshooting common group text problems

If someone doesn't receive your group message, check that you've added their correct phone number or contact. On iPhone, make sure iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages. On Android, confirm your default messaging app is set correctly in Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS.

If a group text keeps breaking into individual conversations, you may have added a contact who uses a non-Apple device to an iPhone group. iPhone groups work best when all members use iMessage. If you need to include Android users, consider switching to WhatsApp or Messenger instead.

If messages aren't sending, check your internet connection (for WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger) or your cellular signal (for built-in SMS messaging). Try closing and reopening the app, or restart your phone if the problem persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I've already sent the first message?

Yes. On iPhone, open the group conversation, tap "Details," then tap "Add Contact." On Android, open the group, tap the settings icon, select "Group details," and tap "Add members." In WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger, tap the group name at the top and look for an "Add members" or "Add people" option.

What's the difference between a group text and a group chat?

A group text uses SMS (text messages) through your phone's built-in messaging app and counts against your text plan. A group chat in WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger uses internet data instead and doesn't count as SMS messages. Group chats also have more features like pinned messages and better read receipts.

Can I remove someone from a group text?

On iPhone and Android, open the group conversation, tap the settings or details icon, find the person's name, and tap "Remove" or a delete icon next to their name. In WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger, tap the group name at the top, find the member, and tap "Remove from group."

Why did my group text turn into individual messages?

On iPhone, this usually happens when you add an Android user to an iMessage group. iMessage only works between Apple devices. The conversation may split into separate one-on-one threads. Switching to WhatsApp or Messenger keeps everyone in one group regardless of device type.

Do group texts cost extra?

Group texts sent through your phone's built-in messaging app count as regular SMS messages and use your text plan the same way one-on-one texts do. WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger use internet data instead, so they don't count as SMS and don't cost extra if you have a data plan.