Creating a group text on iPhone

To start a group text on iPhone, open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner (or swipe left and tap "New Message"). Type or search for the first contact's name, then tap it to add them. Keep typing names and tapping each one until everyone you want is listed. When you're done adding people, tap "Done" in the top right, type your message, and hit send.

The group text appears as a single conversation thread with all members' names shown at the top. Everyone in the group receives the same message, and replies come back to the whole group rather than just to you. This is different from sending the same message to multiple people individually — those would show up as separate conversations.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a group text by opening Messages, tapping the compose button, and adding multiple contacts before sending your first message.
  • You can add or remove people from an existing group text by opening the conversation and tapping the group name at the top.
  • Muting a group text silences notifications without leaving the conversation, which is useful if the group becomes very active.
  • Group texts work over regular SMS and iMessage depending on your plan and the recipients' phones, but iMessage groups offer more features like read receipts and typing indicators.

Adding or removing people from an existing group

To change who's in a group text you've already started, open the conversation and tap the group name or the circular icons at the top. This opens the group details screen. Tap "Edit" in the top right corner, then tap the red minus sign next to any name you want to remove, or tap "Add Contact" to bring in someone new. Tap "Done" when finished.

If you remove someone, they won't see future messages in that conversation, but the old messages stay in the thread for everyone else. If you add someone new, they only see messages sent after they joined — they don't get the conversation history.

The difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups

If everyone in your group has an iPhone or Mac and iMessage is turned on, your group text uses iMessage. You'll see blue message bubbles, and features like read receipts (small "Delivered" and "Read" labels), typing indicators (the three dots showing someone is typing), and the ability to react to messages with emoji. iMessage groups also let you name the conversation and set a custom photo.

If even one person in the group has an Android phone or doesn't have iMessage enabled, the conversation switches to standard SMS texting. You'll see green bubbles, and those extra features disappear. The group still works the same way — everyone gets the message and replies go to the group — but you lose the read receipts and typing indicators.

Naming a group text and adding a photo

You can only name a group text if it's using iMessage (everyone has an iPhone or Mac with iMessage on). Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, then tap "Edit" in the top right. Tap where it says "Add Group Name" and type the name you want. You can also tap the circle with a plus sign to add a group photo — choose from your camera roll or take a new photo.

Once you've named the group, that name appears at the top of the conversation for everyone in it. If the group switches to SMS because someone without iMessage joins, the name disappears but the conversation itself stays intact.

Muting notifications from a group text

If a group text becomes very active and you're getting too many notifications, you can mute it without leaving the conversation. Open the group, swipe left on it (or tap and hold), then tap the speaker-with-a-slash icon. You'll still see messages when you open the app, but you won't get alerts on your lock screen or hear notification sounds.

To turn notifications back on, swipe left again and tap the speaker icon. You can also customize notifications for a specific group by opening it, tapping the group name at the top, scrolling down, and choosing "Hide Alerts" or adjusting the notification sound and style.

Leaving a group text

To leave a group text, open the conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Leave This Conversation." You'll be removed from the group, and you won't receive any more messages from it. The conversation disappears from your Messages list, though you can still find it by searching if you need to look back at old messages.

When you leave, the other people in the group are notified that you've left. If you change your mind later, someone in the group has to add you back manually — there's no way to rejoin on your own.

Pinning important group conversations

If you have several group texts and want to keep one at the top of your Messages list, you can pin it. Swipe left on the conversation (or tap and hold), then tap the pin icon. The conversation moves to the top and stays there even if other conversations are more recent. You can pin up to nine conversations at once.

To unpin a conversation, swipe left again and tap the pin icon a second time. Pinning doesn't affect notifications or how the group works — it's just a way to organize your message list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I've already started it?

Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, tap "Edit," and then tap "Add Contact." The new person will see all future messages but won't see the conversation history from before they joined.

What happens if I remove someone from a group text?

They stop receiving new messages in that conversation immediately. The old messages stay visible for everyone else, but the removed person can no longer see or reply to anything in that thread.

Why can't I name my group text?

Group naming only works with iMessage, which requires everyone to have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iMessage turned on. If one person has Android or iMessage is off, the group uses SMS instead and the naming feature isn't available.

Do people know when I mute a group text?

No. Muting only silences your notifications — it doesn't change anything about how the group works or what others see. People won't know you've muted the conversation.

Can I rejoin a group text after I leave?

No. Once you leave, someone in the group has to add you back manually. There's no option to rejoin on your own.