Create a group contact by adding multiple people to a single contact card
iPhone doesn't have a built-in "group contact" feature the way some Android phones do. Instead, you create what works like a group by adding multiple phone numbers and email addresses to one contact card. When you tap that contact, you see all the numbers and emails listed together, and you can call or message any of them without creating separate contacts for each person.
This approach works well for small groups — a family unit, a carpool, a project team. The contact card stays in your main contacts list, and you can reach anyone in the group with a few taps. The limitation is that you can't send a single message to everyone at once using this method; you'll need to message each person individually or use a group chat instead.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Contacts app, create a new contact, and give it a group name like "Soccer Team" or "Book Club".
- Add multiple phone numbers and email addresses to that single contact card by tapping "add phone" or "add email" for each person.
- Label each number or email with the person's name or relationship so you know who you're calling or messaging.
- You can edit the group contact anytime by opening it and tapping "Edit" to add or remove numbers and emails.
Step-by-step: Create a new group contact
Open the Contacts app on your home screen. Tap the "+" button in the upper right corner to create a new contact.
Type a name for your group in the "First name" field. Use something clear like "Soccer Carpool" or "Mom's Side of Family" — whatever makes sense for who these people are. Leave the "Last name" field blank or use it for additional context if you want.
Scroll down and tap "add phone" under the phone number section. Enter the first person's phone number. Tap the label next to the number (it defaults to "mobile") and change it to something more specific if you want — for example, "Sarah's phone" or "Dad's cell". This label helps you remember whose number you're calling.
Tap "add phone" again to add the next person's number. Repeat this for everyone you want in the group. You can add as many numbers as you need.
Add email addresses to the group contact
Scroll down further and tap "add email" to add email addresses for people in the group. Enter each email and label it the same way you labeled the phone numbers — with the person's name or their relationship to you.
You don't have to add both a phone number and an email for every person. If you only have someone's email, add just the email. If you only have their phone number, that's fine too. Add whatever contact information you actually have.
When you're finished adding all the numbers and emails, tap "Done" in the upper right corner. The group contact is now saved in your Contacts app.
Edit or add more people to an existing group contact
Open the Contacts app and find the group contact you created. Tap it to open the contact card, then tap "Edit" in the upper right corner.
To add another person's number or email, scroll down and tap "add phone" or "add email" just as you did when you first created the contact. Enter the new information and label it, then tap "Done".
To remove a number or email, tap the red minus sign next to it while you're in edit mode, then tap "Delete". This is useful if someone leaves the group or you need to update their information.
To change a label (like switching "mobile" to "work"), tap the label itself and choose a different one from the list, or type a custom label.
Use the group contact to call or message
Open Contacts and tap the group contact. You'll see all the phone numbers and emails listed on one card. Tap any phone number to call that person, or tap any email to send them a message.
If you want to send a text message to multiple people in the group at once, you'll need to use the Messages app instead and create a group chat there. The group contact itself doesn't send messages to everyone simultaneously — it just keeps all the numbers and emails organized in one place.
You can also add the group contact to your favorites by tapping the star icon at the top of the contact card. This makes it appear at the top of your Contacts list for faster access.
Alternatives if you need true group messaging
If you need to send one message to multiple people at once, create a group chat in the Messages app instead. Open Messages, tap the compose button (pencil and paper icon), then tap "+" to add multiple people. Type your message and send it to everyone at once.
Group chats work differently from group contacts — everyone in the chat can see each other's replies and have a conversation together. Group contacts are better if you just want to keep related phone numbers and emails organized without group messaging.
You can also use Siri to call someone from a group contact by saying "Hey Siri, call [group name]" and then selecting which person you want to reach when Siri asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a text to everyone in a group contact at the same time?
No, group contacts don't support sending one message to multiple people. You'll need to message each person individually or create a group chat in the Messages app instead. A group chat lets you send one message that everyone receives and can reply to together.
What's the difference between a group contact and a group chat?
A group contact is just an organized list of phone numbers and emails on one contact card. A group chat is a conversation in Messages where you send one message to multiple people and everyone can see and reply to each other's messages. Use group contacts for organizing information; use group chats for actual conversations.
Can I delete someone from a group contact without deleting their individual contact?
Yes. Open the group contact, tap "Edit", then tap the red minus sign next to the person's number or email and tap "Delete". This only removes them from the group contact — their individual contact card stays in your Contacts app unchanged.
How many people can I add to one group contact?
There's no set limit. You can add as many phone numbers and email addresses as you need to a single contact card. However, for very large groups, a group chat in Messages might be more practical since you can actually communicate with everyone at once.
Will changes to a group contact sync across my devices?
Yes, if you use iCloud to sync your contacts. Any changes you make to a group contact on your iPhone will appear on your iPad, Mac, or other Apple devices signed in with the same iCloud account. Check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to make sure Contacts is toggled on.