Create a group in the Contacts app by adding multiple people at once

Contact groups on iPhone let you send a message or email to several people with one tap, instead of typing each name separately. You create these groups inside the Contacts app — the built-in app that came with your iPhone — and then use them whenever you need to reach a set group of people.

The process takes about two minutes. You'll open Contacts, create a new group, name it, and add people to it. Once it's saved, the group appears in your Contacts list and in the compose field when you're writing a message or email.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact groups are created in the Contacts app and let you message or email multiple people at once without typing each name.
  • You start by tapping the Groups tab at the bottom of the Contacts app, then the plus sign to create a new group.
  • After naming your group, you add people by tapping "add contact" and selecting names from your existing contacts.
  • Groups work in Messages, Mail, and other apps that let you select multiple recipients — but only if those people are already saved in your Contacts.

Open Contacts and find the Groups tab

Launch the Contacts app on your home screen. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see four tabs: All Contacts, Favorites, Groups, and a search icon. Tap the Groups tab — it's the third one from the left.

If you don't see a Groups tab, your iPhone may be showing a different view. Scroll down to the very bottom of the screen and look for "Groups" as a button or link. On some iPhone models, you may need to tap "Edit" in the top-left corner first to access group management.

Create a new group and give it a name

In the Groups tab, look for a plus sign (+) in the top-right corner. Tap it. A dialog box will appear asking you to name your group. Type a name that describes who's in it — for example, "Work Team," "Book Club," or "Family."

Keep the name short and clear so you can find it quickly later. Tap "Save" or "Done" (the button name varies by iOS version). Your new group now appears in the Groups list, but it's empty.

Add people to your group

Tap the group name to open it. You'll see an empty list and a button that says "add contact" or shows a plus sign. Tap it. A list of all your saved contacts appears. Tap each person you want to add to the group — their name will show a checkmark when selected.

You can add as many people as you need. Tap "Done" or "Save" when you've finished selecting. The group now contains all the people you chose, and you can see their names listed inside the group.

Use your group to send messages or emails

Open the Messages app or Mail app. Start composing a new message or email. In the "To" field, begin typing the name of your group. It will appear as a suggestion — tap it to add the entire group at once. All the people in that group will be added as recipients.

You can also tap the plus sign in the compose field (in Messages) or the address book icon (in Mail) to browse your groups and select one from a list instead of typing.

Edit or delete a group

Go back to the Groups tab in Contacts. Tap the group you want to change. Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner. From here, you can add more people by tapping "add contact," or remove people by tapping the red minus sign next to their name.

To delete the entire group, tap "Edit," then tap the red circle with a minus sign next to the group name in the Groups list. Tap "Delete" to confirm. Deleting a group does not delete the individual contacts inside it — only the group itself disappears.

Limitations and what to know

Contact groups only work with people who are already saved in your Contacts app. If someone isn't in your contacts yet, you'll need to add them before you can put them in a group. Groups also don't sync across all Apple devices the way individual contacts do — a group created on your iPhone may not appear on your Mac or iPad unless you use iCloud to sync your contacts.

Some third-party messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) have their own group features that work differently from iPhone contact groups. If you use those apps, you may need to create groups within the app itself rather than relying on your iPhone contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a contact group on my Mac and use it on my iPhone?

Yes, if you use iCloud to sync your contacts. Create the group on your Mac in the Contacts app, and it will appear on your iPhone within a few minutes. Both devices must be signed in to the same iCloud account for syncing to work.

What happens if I delete someone from my contacts who is in a group?

The person is removed from the group automatically. If you want to keep them in the group, you'll need to add them back to your contacts first, then re-add them to the group.

Can I send a group text to a contact group?

Yes. Open Messages, tap the compose button, and type the group name in the "To" field. All members will receive the message. Keep in mind that group texts in Messages create a group conversation where everyone can see each other's replies.

Why doesn't my contact group appear when I try to send an email?

Make sure you're typing the exact group name in the "To" field, or tap the plus icon to browse your groups. If the group still doesn't appear, check that iCloud syncing is turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts.

Can I create a group of groups?

No. iPhone contact groups can only contain individual people, not other groups. If you need to message overlapping sets of people, you'll need to create separate groups for each combination.