Creating a group chat in Messenger takes three steps: open the app, tap the compose button, and select multiple people

A group chat in Messenger lets you message more than one person at the same time in a single conversation. Everyone in the group sees the same messages and can reply to them. You can create a group chat on your phone, tablet, or computer, and the steps are nearly identical across all three.

The fastest way is to open Messenger, tap the pencil-and-paper icon (or "Compose" button), then select the names of the people you want to add. Once you've picked at least two people, you'll see a "Create" or "Next" button. Tap it, and your group chat is ready to use immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • You need at least two other people in a group chat — you cannot create a group with only yourself.
  • The person who creates the group chat becomes the admin and can add or remove people later, change the group name, and change the group photo.
  • Everyone in the group can see all past messages once they join, even messages sent before they were added.
  • You can add people to an existing group chat at any time by opening the group, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting "Add Members."

Step-by-step on your phone or tablet

Open Messenger and look for the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-left corner (iPhone) or top-right corner (Android). Tap it. You'll see a screen that says "New Message" or "Compose."

Type or tap the names of the people you want to add. As you type, Messenger shows you matching contacts. Tap each person's name to select them. You can add as many people as you want, but you need at least two. A small checkmark or highlight appears next to each selected name.

Once you've selected everyone, look for a "Create," "Next," or "Start Chat" button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it. Messenger creates the group chat and opens it immediately. You can now type your first message.

Step-by-step on a computer

Go to messenger.com or open Messenger from Facebook.com. In the top-left corner, you'll see a pencil-and-paper icon or a button labeled "Compose." Click it.

A box appears asking you to type names. Type the name of the first person you want to add. Messenger shows matching contacts below the text box. Click the person's name. Repeat this for each person you want to add — you need at least two.

Once you've selected everyone, click the "Create," "Next," or "Start Chat" button. The group chat opens and you can begin messaging right away.

Naming your group chat and adding a photo

When you first create a group chat, Messenger automatically names it based on the members' names — for example, "You, Sarah, and Marcus." You can change this to something more useful like "Book Club" or "Project Team."

To rename the group, open the chat and tap or click the group name at the very top of the conversation. On your phone, you'll see an option to "Edit Group Name" or "Change Group Name." On a computer, look for a pencil icon next to the group name. Type the new name and save it.

To add a group photo, tap or click the group name at the top, then look for an option to "Change Group Photo" or "Add Photo." You can upload a photo from your device or take a new one with your camera. Only the group admin (the person who created it) can change the group name and photo, though some groups allow all members to do this — it depends on the group settings.

Adding or removing people from an existing group

You can add new people to a group chat after you create it. Open the group, tap or click the group name at the top, and look for "Add Members" or "Add People." Type or select the names of the people you want to add and confirm.

To remove someone, open the group, tap or click the group name at the top, find the list of members, and look for an "X" or "Remove" button next to the person's name. Tap or click it. Only the group admin can remove people, though some groups allow members to leave on their own by tapping "Leave Chat."

What happens when someone joins a group chat

When you add someone to an existing group chat, they can see all the messages that were sent before they joined. There's no way to hide earlier messages from new members. If you want to keep certain conversations private, you'll need to start a new group chat without that person.

When a person joins a group, they receive a notification that they've been added. They can then see the group in their Messenger inbox and start reading and sending messages immediately.

Leaving a group chat

If you want to leave a group chat, open the group, tap or click the group name at the top, and look for "Leave Chat" or "Leave Group." Tap or click it and confirm. Once you leave, you'll no longer receive messages from that group, and the group will disappear from your inbox.

If you're the admin of the group and you leave, Messenger automatically makes another member the admin. You can also delete a group chat entirely by swiping left on it (iPhone) or right-clicking it (computer) and selecting "Delete."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Messenger requires at least three people total (you plus two others) to create a group chat. If you want to message just one person, use a regular one-on-one chat instead.

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

A group chat is a conversation between multiple people. A Messenger group (or Facebook group) is a larger community space where people post and discuss topics. They work differently and are accessed from different parts of Messenger.

Can I see who read my message in a group chat?

Yes. In most group chats, you'll see small profile pictures or checkmarks below your message showing who has read it. Tap or click the message to see the full list of who read it and when.

What if I accidentally add the wrong person to a group?

You can remove them by opening the group, tapping or clicking the group name at the top, finding their name in the member list, and tapping or clicking the "X" or "Remove" button next to their name. They'll be removed immediately and won't see future messages.

Can I create a group chat with people who aren't my Facebook friends?

Yes. You can add anyone to a group chat as long as you know their Messenger username or phone number. They'll receive a notification that you've added them and can choose to join the conversation.