Create a group chat by opening Messenger, tapping the pencil icon, and selecting multiple people
A group chat on Messenger lets you message more than one person at the same time in a single conversation. Instead of sending the same message to friends individually, you create one chat that everyone can see and reply to. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you're using Messenger on your phone or computer, but the process takes less than a minute either way.
The fastest way to start is to open Messenger, look for the pencil or compose icon (usually at the top of your screen), tap it, and then select the names of the people you want to include. Once you've picked at least two people, Messenger creates the group automatically and opens the chat so you can send your first message.
Key Takeaways
- On your phone, tap the pencil icon at the top of Messenger, then select the people you want to add to the group.
- On a computer, click the pencil icon or "New Message" button, search for names, and click each person to add them.
- You can add a group name and photo after the chat is created by tapping the group name at the top of the conversation.
- Group chats work the same way as one-on-one chats — everyone sees all messages, and you can share photos, videos, and links.
- You can add or remove people from the group later, and members can leave whenever they want.
Steps to create a group chat on your phone
Open the Messenger app and look at the top of your screen. You'll see a pencil icon or a circle with a pencil inside it — tap that. A menu will appear with options, and you'll see something like "New Message" or "New Chat." Tap that option.
A list of your contacts will appear. Tap the first person you want to add to the group. Their name will show up with a checkmark. Then tap the second person, the third person, and anyone else you want in the chat. You need at least two people besides yourself to make a group. Once you've selected everyone, look for a "Next" or "Create" button at the bottom and tap it.
Messenger will open the new group chat immediately. You can now type a message and send it to everyone in the group. The chat doesn't have a name yet — it will just show the names of the people in it. If you want to give it a custom name or add a photo, tap the group name at the very top of the chat window, and you'll see options to customize it.
Steps to create a group chat on a computer
Go to Messenger in your web browser or open the Messenger desktop app. At the top left, you'll see a pencil icon or a button that says "New Message." Click it. A window will pop up with a search box.
Type the name of the first person you want to add. Their profile will appear below the search box — click on it. Their name will now appear as a tag or pill in the search area. Type the second person's name and click their profile. Repeat this for everyone you want in the group. Once you've added at least two people, a "Create" or "Start Chat" button will appear. Click it.
The group chat will open in your main Messenger window. You can type and send a message right away. To add a group name or photo, look for the group name at the top of the chat and click it. This will open settings where you can customize the group's appearance and manage who's in it.
How to name your group and add a photo
When you first create a group, Messenger shows the names of everyone in it instead of a custom group name. You can change this by tapping or clicking the group name at the very top of the chat window. This opens the group info panel.
Look for an option that says "Edit Group Name" or "Group Name" and tap or click it. Type the name you want — something like "Weekend Plans" or "Book Club" works well. Press Enter or click Save. You can also add a group photo by tapping or clicking the group photo icon (usually a circle at the top) and selecting an image from your device or taking a new photo.
Adding and removing people from an existing group
You can add new people to a group chat after it's created. Open the group, tap or click the group name at the top, and look for an option like "Add Members" or "Add People." Search for the person's name and tap or click to add them. They'll be able to see all future messages, but they won't see the chat history from before they joined.
To remove someone, open the group info the same way, find the list of members, and look for an X or delete icon next to their name. Tap or click it to remove them from the group. Removed members can no longer see or send messages in that chat. If you want to leave the group yourself, look for a "Leave Group" option in the same menu.
What happens when someone leaves or is removed
When a member leaves a group chat or is removed, they stop receiving messages immediately. They can still see the messages they received before they left, but they won't see anything sent after that point. The other members of the group will see a notification that the person has left or been removed.
If you accidentally remove someone, you can add them back by using the "Add Members" option again. There's no limit to how many times you can add or remove people, so you can adjust the group as your needs change.
Troubleshooting common group chat problems
If the pencil icon doesn't appear or the "New Message" button isn't visible, try closing and reopening Messenger. Sometimes the app needs to refresh. Make sure you're using the latest version of Messenger — check your app store for updates if you haven't updated in a while.
If you can't find someone to add to the group, they may have blocked you, deactivated their account, or changed their privacy settings. Try searching for them by their exact name or username. If a group chat isn't showing up after you create it, scroll down in your chat list — new groups sometimes appear at the bottom rather than at the top.
If messages aren't sending in a group chat, check your internet connection. Try closing Messenger and opening it again. If the problem continues, try logging out and logging back in. On a computer, you can also try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with just one other person?
No — Messenger requires at least two people besides yourself to create a group chat. If you're messaging just one person, that's a one-on-one chat. However, you can convert a one-on-one chat into a group by adding a third person using the "Add Members" option.
Do people have to accept an invitation to join a group chat?
No — when you add someone to a group chat, they're automatically included. They'll see the chat in their Messenger inbox right away and can start reading and sending messages immediately. There's no acceptance step required.
Can I see who read my message in a group chat?
Yes — in most cases, you'll see a small icon or the profile pictures of people who have read your message. This appears below or next to the message you sent. The exact appearance depends on your phone or computer and your Messenger settings.
What's the maximum number of people I can add to a group chat?
Messenger allows you to add many people to a group chat. There's no strict limit that most users will hit, but very large groups (hundreds of people) may experience slower performance. For most purposes, groups of 10 to 50 people work smoothly.
Can I delete a group chat?
Yes — you can delete a group chat by opening it, tapping or clicking the group name at the top, and looking for a "Delete Chat" or "Delete Group" option. Deleting removes the chat from your inbox, but it doesn't affect other members' chats. They'll still see the group and all the messages.