Group texting lets you send one message to multiple people at once

A group text is a single conversation thread where you can message several people together instead of sending the same message to each person separately. On most phones, you start a group text the same way you start a regular text — by opening your messaging app and selecting multiple contacts instead of just one. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both work similarly.

Group texts are useful when you need to coordinate with friends, family, or coworkers — like planning a meetup, sharing updates with your team, or keeping a group informed about something. Everyone in the group sees all the messages and can reply so the whole conversation stays in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts to create a group text.
  • On Android, open your default messaging app, create a new message, and select multiple recipients from your contacts.
  • You can name a group text on iPhone by opening the conversation and tapping the group name at the top, but Android naming varies by phone and messaging app.
  • Everyone in the group sees all messages and replies, so group texts work best when all members have texting plans that cover group messaging.
  • If someone leaves a group text or the conversation stops working, you may need to remove that person and start a new group instead.

How to create a group text on iPhone

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-right corner to start a new message. This opens a blank message screen where you can add recipients.

Tap the "To:" field at the top and start typing the first person's name. As you type, your contacts will appear below — tap the name to add them. Repeat this for each person you want to include. You can add as many people as you want, though most carriers handle groups of 5 to 20 people smoothly without problems. Type your message in the text field at the bottom and tap the blue send arrow.

Your group text is now created. Everyone you added will receive the message and can reply. All replies appear in the same thread so the whole group sees the conversation.

How to create a group text on Android

Open your default messaging app — this is usually called Messages, but the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. Look for a button to create a new message, typically a pencil icon or a plus sign, and tap it.

Tap the "To:" or "Recipients:" field and start typing the first contact's name. Your contacts will appear as you type — tap each name to add them to the group. Add everyone you want to include, then type your message at the bottom. Tap send.

The group text is created and sent. All recipients will see it in their messaging app and can reply to the group. If your Android phone is made by Samsung, you may see additional options like naming the group right away — if so, you can add a name before sending the first message.

How to name a group text

On iPhone, open an existing group text conversation. Tap the group name or the circle showing the contact photos at the very top of the screen. A menu will open with options to edit the group. Tap "Enter a Group Name" and type the name you want — something like "Weekend Plans" or "Work Team". Tap "Done" to save it. Everyone in the group will see the name you chose.

On Android, naming a group text depends on your phone model and messaging app. On Samsung phones, open the group conversation, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and look for "Group Details" or "Edit Group". You should see an option to add or change the group name. On other Android phones, the option may be in a different location or may not be available in your messaging app at all — if you cannot find it, your app may not support group naming.

What happens when someone doesn't have texting

If one person in your group text uses an iPhone and the others use Android phones, the conversation may work differently. iPhones use iMessage for texts to other iPhones, which is free over Wi-Fi or data, but regular SMS texting to Android phones uses your carrier's texting plan. This can create a mixed group where some messages are iMessages and some are regular texts.

If someone in the group doesn't have a texting plan or their phone cannot receive texts, they will not see the group messages. You may need to use a different method to reach them — like email, a messaging app such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, or a group chat app. If someone's number is no longer active or they switch phones, remove them from the group and start a new one with the remaining people.

Troubleshooting when a group text stops working

If your group text suddenly stops delivering messages or people stop replying, the most common cause is that someone's number is no longer active or they have switched phones. Try removing that person from the conversation and starting a new group with everyone else. To do this, open the group text, tap the group name at the top (iPhone) or the three dots (Android), and look for an option to remove members or edit the group.

Another reason group texts fail is if your carrier has limits on group size — some carriers have trouble with groups larger than 20 or 30 people. If your group is very large, consider splitting it into smaller groups or using a messaging app instead. If only one or two people are not receiving messages, ask them to restart their phone and check that their texting plan is active with their carrier.

When to use a messaging app instead of group text

Group texts work well for small groups of 3 to 10 people who all have active phone plans. For larger groups, international texting, or when you want features like file sharing and read receipts, a messaging app often works better. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Signal let you create group chats that work over Wi-Fi or data instead of using your texting plan.

Messaging apps are also useful if someone in your group doesn't have a texting plan or uses a phone that cannot receive regular texts. Everyone just needs the same app installed. The downside is that everyone has to download and use the app, whereas group texts work with the built-in messaging app that comes on every phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I've already sent messages?

On iPhone, open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and tap "Add Contact" to add new people. On Android, open the group, tap the three dots, select "Edit Group" or "Group Details", and add new members. New members will see all future messages but usually not the old conversation history.

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

A group text uses your phone's texting plan and works through SMS or iMessage. A group chat usually refers to conversations in messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, which use data or Wi-Fi instead. Group chats often have more features like read receipts and file sharing, while group texts are simpler and work on any phone.

Why can't I see messages from one person in the group?

That person's phone may have an issue, their texting plan may be inactive, or their number may have changed. Ask them directly if they are receiving your messages. If they are not, they may need to restart their phone or contact their carrier. You can also try removing them from the group and adding them back.

Do I need Wi-Fi for a group text to work?

No. Regular group texts use your carrier's texting plan and work over cellular signal just like single texts. iMessage group texts on iPhone can use Wi-Fi or cellular data. If you are using a messaging app instead, you will need Wi-Fi or a data plan.

Can I delete someone from a group text without them knowing?

When you remove someone from a group text on iPhone, they will see a notification that they were removed. On Android, the behavior depends on your messaging app — some show a notification, and some do not. Either way, they will notice they are no longer receiving messages from the group.