Creating a group chat on Snapchat takes three steps: open a new chat, select multiple friends, and name the group

To start a group chat, open Snapchat and tap the chat icon at the bottom left. Then tap the compose icon (pencil and paper) in the top right corner. Select at least two friends by tapping the circle next to their names — you can add up to 32 people in a single group. Once you've picked your friends, tap "Create" at the bottom. Snapchat will ask you to name the group; type whatever you want and tap the checkmark to confirm.

The group chat appears in your main chat list immediately. Everyone you added gets a notification that they've been added to the group, and they can start sending messages right away. You don't need anyone's permission to create the group — Snapchat adds them automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a group by tapping the compose icon in the chat section, then select two or more friends and name the group.
  • You can add up to 32 people to a single Snapchat group chat.
  • Group members can send text, photos, videos, and voice messages just like in one-on-one chats.
  • The person who created the group can remove members or change the group name at any time.
  • Leaving a group removes you from the chat, but the group continues without you.

Adding and removing people from an existing group

To add someone to a group after it's created, open the group chat and tap the group name at the top. Scroll down and tap "Add Friends," then select the people you want to add. They'll get a notification that they've been added to the group.

Removing someone works differently depending on who you are. If you created the group, tap the group name, find the person you want to remove, swipe left on their name, and tap "Remove." If you didn't create the group, you can't remove other members — only the creator can do that. You can always leave the group yourself by tapping the group name and selecting "Leave Chat."

Changing the group name and picture

The group creator can change the name at any time. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and tap "Edit Group Name." Type the new name and tap the checkmark. The updated name appears for everyone in the group immediately.

You can also add a group picture. In the same group settings screen, tap the camera icon next to the group name. You can take a new photo, choose one from your camera roll, or use a Bitmoji. This picture shows up in the chat list so everyone can identify the group at a glance.

What you can do in a group chat

Group chats work almost exactly like one-on-one chats. You can send text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and stickers. You can also share your location, send money through Snapcash (if both people have it set up), or call the group using Snapchat's voice or video call feature.

One difference: in a group chat, you can't see individual read receipts the way you can in a one-on-one chat. You'll see when someone has opened the chat, but not which specific messages they've read. Reactions — the emoji responses you can add to messages — work in groups the same way they do in individual chats.

Muting notifications from a group chat

If a group chat gets too noisy, you can mute it without leaving. Open the group chat, tap and hold on the group name in your chat list, and select "Mute." You can choose to mute it for 8 hours, 24 hours, or until you turn notifications back on. You'll still be in the group and can read messages whenever you want — you just won't get alerts every time someone sends something.

To unmute, tap and hold the group name again and select "Unmute." You can also customize notifications for individual groups by tapping the group name, scrolling to "Notifications," and choosing your preferred settings.

Differences between group chats and group stories

Snapchat has two separate group features that are easy to confuse. A group chat is a private conversation between you and the people in it — only members can see the messages. A group story is different: it's a shared story that multiple people can post to, and anyone invited to view it can see all the posts.

Group chats are better for conversations. Group stories are better when you want to share moments from an event — like a birthday party or road trip — where multiple people are contributing photos and videos. You create a group story the same way you create a group chat, but you post to it like you would a regular story, and viewers can see all the contributions in order.

Troubleshooting common group chat problems

If someone isn't receiving group messages, make sure they're actually in the group. Open the group name and check the member list. If they're there but still not seeing messages, ask them to restart Snapchat or check their notification settings. Sometimes Snapchat mutes group notifications by default for new members.

If you can't add someone to a group, they may have blocked you, or you may have reached the 32-person limit. If the group is full, you'll need to remove someone before adding anyone new. If you're trying to add someone and keep getting an error, try closing and reopening Snapchat, or check whether that person has their privacy settings set to accept group invites only from friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a group chat with just one other person?

No. Snapchat requires at least two people besides you to create a group, so a minimum of three people total. If you want to chat with just one person, use a one-on-one chat instead.

What happens if the group creator leaves?

The group stays active and everyone else remains in it. Snapchat automatically assigns a new creator role to another member, usually the person who's been in the group longest. That person can then manage the group, change the name, and remove members.

Can I see who's typing in a group chat?

Yes. When someone is typing a message, you'll see a small indicator showing their name and a typing animation, just like in one-on-one chats. This works the same way in groups.

Is there a way to search for old messages in a group chat?

Snapchat doesn't have a built-in search feature for group chats. Messages stay in the chat as long as you don't clear the conversation, but you'll need to scroll up manually to find older messages. If you clear the chat, those messages are deleted permanently.

Can I make a group chat with people who aren't my friends on Snapchat?

No. Everyone you add to a group must already be on your friends list. If you want to chat with someone new, you need to add them as a friend first, then create or add them to a group.