Creating a group chat on Snapchat
To start a group chat on Snapchat, open the app and tap the chat icon at the bottom left of your screen. Then tap the compose icon (a pencil and paper symbol) in the top right corner. You'll see a list of your contacts. Tap the names of the people you want to add — you can select multiple people at once. Once you've chosen everyone, tap "Create" at the bottom right, and your group chat will open immediately.
The group chat appears in your chat list with all the members' names shown at the top. You can start sending messages, photos, or video calls right away. Unlike some other messaging apps, Snapchat group chats don't require a separate step to name the group — it simply shows the names of everyone in it.
Key Takeaways
- Open the chat tab, tap the compose icon, select multiple contacts, and tap Create to start a group chat.
- Group chats show all member names at the top and work the same way as one-on-one chats for sending messages and media.
- You can add or remove people from an existing group chat by opening it and tapping the group name at the top.
- Snapchat group chats include voice and video calling features that work for all members at once.
- Messages in group chats disappear after they're opened, just like in regular Snapchat conversations.
Adding or removing people from a group chat
To change who's in your group chat, open the conversation and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens the group info page. You'll see a list of current members. To add someone new, tap "Add Friends" and select the people you want to include. To remove someone, tap the minus sign next to their name.
When you remove someone from a group chat, they can no longer see new messages, but the old conversation history stays on their phone. If you add someone new to an existing group, they only see messages sent after they joined — they don't get the full chat history.
Understanding Snapchat group chat features
Snapchat group chats work differently from one-on-one chats in a few ways. First, messages disappear after everyone in the group has opened them, not just one person. Second, you can see when each person has opened the message — their name appears under the message once they've read it. Third, you can make voice or video calls with everyone in the group at the same time, which is useful for quick team conversations or friend hangouts.
Group chats also show a small icon next to each message indicating whether it's a text, photo, video, or voice note. If someone sends a photo or video, it disappears after being viewed, following Snapchat's standard disappearing media rules.
Naming and customizing your group chat
Snapchat doesn't let you give a group chat a custom name the way some other apps do. Instead, the chat is identified by showing all the member names at the top. However, you can customize how the group appears to you personally by changing the chat's emoji or color. Tap the group name at the top, then look for display options to add an emoji or change the background color of that specific chat.
You can also mute notifications from a group chat if it gets too active. Long-press the group chat in your chat list, then select "Mute" to stop getting notifications while keeping the conversation in your chat history.
What happens when someone leaves a group chat
If you leave a group chat, you'll no longer receive new messages, and the group will disappear from your chat list. However, you can still see the old conversation history if you search for it. The other members will see that you've left — Snapchat shows a notification saying "[Your name] left the chat."
If someone else leaves the group, their name stays visible in the member list but with a note that they've left. You can still send messages in the group, and they'll be visible to everyone who remains. If you want to bring that person back, you can add them again using the "Add Friends" option.
Troubleshooting common group chat problems
If a group chat isn't working properly, first check that everyone has the latest version of Snapchat installed. Outdated versions sometimes cause issues with group features. If messages aren't sending, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, restart your phone.
If you can't see someone in your contacts to add them to a group, they may have blocked you or removed you as a friend. You'll need to add them as a friend first before you can include them in a group chat. If a group chat keeps disappearing from your list, check whether you accidentally left it — you can recreate it by starting a new group with the same people.
Group chat limits and things to know
Snapchat doesn't have a published limit on how many people you can add to a single group chat, but performance can slow down with very large groups (50+ people). For large communities, Snapchat Stories or a dedicated group account might work better than a group chat.
Keep in mind that group chats are only visible to people in the chat — they're private conversations, not public. If you want to share something with a broader audience, posting to your Story is a better option. Also, remember that Snapchat's disappearing message feature means nothing is permanently saved in the chat unless someone takes a screenshot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a group chat with just two people?
Technically yes, but Snapchat treats it as a regular one-on-one chat. If you want a true group chat, you need at least three people. With two people, you'll just see a standard chat conversation.
Do people get notified when I add them to a group chat?
Yes, they'll see a notification that they've been added to the group. They can then choose to open the chat or leave it. There's no way to add someone silently.
Can I see who read my message in a group chat?
Yes. Once everyone in the group has opened your message, their names appear below it. If some people haven't opened it yet, you'll see a count of how many people still need to view it.
What if I accidentally delete a group chat?
If you delete a group chat, it disappears from your chat list, but you can recreate it by starting a new group with the same people. The old message history won't come back, but you can start fresh immediately.
Can I schedule messages in a group chat?
No, Snapchat doesn't have a message scheduling feature for any type of chat, including groups. Messages send immediately when you hit send.