Open a new group chat from your friends list
To create a group chat on Snapchat, start from the Chat screen. Tap the compose icon — it looks like a pencil and paper — in the top-left corner. This opens a new message window where you can select who to include.
Snapchat will show your friends list. Tap the name of each person you want to add to the group. You can add as many people as you want, though groups with more than 30 people sometimes move slower. Once you have selected everyone, tap the chat bubble icon at the bottom to create the group and open the conversation.
The group chat appears in your Chat list immediately. Snapchat does not ask you to name the group at this stage — it automatically names it based on the first few members' names, like "You, Sarah, Marcus". You can change this name later if you want something more specific.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the compose icon on the Chat screen, select the people you want to include, then tap the chat bubble icon to create the group.
- Snapchat automatically names the group based on members' names, but you can rename it by opening the group and tapping the group name at the top.
- Everyone in the group sees all messages sent after they join, but they do not see messages sent before they were added.
- You can add or remove people from an existing group by opening it, tapping the group name, and selecting "Add Friends" or tapping the X next to someone's name.
Rename your group to something you will recognize
The automatic name Snapchat gives your group works, but it can get confusing if you have multiple groups with overlapping members. To rename it, open the group chat and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. A menu appears with the current name highlighted.
Delete the old name and type a new one. Keep it short — something like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans" is clearer than a long phrase. Tap outside the text box or press Done to save the new name. Everyone in the group sees the new name immediately.
Add or remove people after the group is created
You do not have to decide on the final member list when you first create the group. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and you will see a list of everyone in the conversation. Tap "Add Friends" to bring in more people, or tap the X next to someone's name to remove them.
When you remove someone, they can still see all the messages they received while they were in the group. They just cannot see new messages sent after they leave. If you add someone new, they see only messages sent after they joined, not the full history.
Understand what group members can and cannot do
In a Snapchat group chat, everyone can send messages, photos, and videos. Everyone can also see who is typing and when people were last active. However, only the person who created the group can remove members — other people in the group cannot kick anyone out.
If someone in the group is bothering you, you can mute notifications from that group without leaving it. Swipe left on the group name in your Chat list, tap the speaker icon with a line through it, and you will stop getting alerts when new messages arrive. You will still see the messages when you open the chat, but your phone will not notify you.
Send different types of content in your group
Group chats work the same way as one-on-one chats for sending content. You can type regular messages, send photos or videos from your camera roll, or take a new photo or video right in the chat. Tap the camera icon to take something new, or tap the image icon to choose something you already have saved.
You can also send voice messages by holding down the microphone icon while you talk, then releasing it to send. Stickers, emojis, and links all work in group chats too. Snapchat does not save group messages by default — they disappear after people read them, just like one-on-one messages do.
Find and manage your group chats in the Chat list
Your group chats appear in the same Chat list as your one-on-one conversations. Group chats show a small circle with multiple faces instead of a single person's profile picture, so they are easy to spot. The most recent message appears below the group name, and the timestamp shows when that message was sent.
If you want to leave a group entirely, swipe left on the group name and tap "Delete". This removes the group from your Chat list, but it does not delete the conversation for other members — they can still see all the messages. If you change your mind later, you can ask someone in the group to add you back.
Troubleshoot common group chat problems
If someone you tried to add does not appear in your friends list, you may need to add them as a friend first. Go to your Friends list, tap the add icon, and search for their username or scan their Snapcode. Once they accept your friend request, you can add them to groups.
If messages are not sending in a group chat, check your internet connection and make sure Snapchat is fully updated. Close the app completely and reopen it. If one person's messages are not showing up for everyone, that person may have poor connectivity — ask them to check their signal or switch to Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with someone who is not my friend on Snapchat?
No. Everyone in a group chat must already be your friend on Snapchat. If you want to include someone new, add them as a friend first, wait for them to accept, then create or add them to the group.
What happens if I delete a group chat?
Deleting a group removes it from your Chat list, but the conversation stays active for everyone else. They can still see all the messages and continue chatting. If you want back in, ask someone to add you again.
Can I see who read my message in a group chat?
Snapchat does not show read receipts in group chats the way it does in one-on-one chats. You can see when someone is typing, but not whether they have actually read your message.
Is there a limit to how many people can be in a group?
Snapchat does not enforce a hard limit, but groups with more than 30 people sometimes experience slower performance. For large groups, consider whether a different platform might work better for your needs.
Can I make a group chat private so only certain people can see it?
Group chats are private by default — only the people you add can see the conversation. There is no option to make them more or less private than that.