Creating a group chat on iPhone takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you use iMessage or regular text messaging

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner (or swipe left on the home screen and tap "Compose"). Tap the plus sign next to "To:" and select each person you want to add, or type their name or phone number. Type your message and send. That group is now created and everyone will see replies from everyone else in one thread.

The key difference from a regular text is that all replies go to the same conversation, not to your phone individually. If you add five people, those five people plus you will all see each message in order. On iPhone, group chats using iMessage (blue bubbles) work slightly differently than SMS group texts (green bubbles), but the steps to create them are identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the compose button in Messages, add multiple contacts by tapping the plus sign, and send your first message to create the group.
  • iMessage group chats (blue bubbles) let you name the group, add or remove people later, and use reactions and effects that SMS group texts cannot.
  • SMS group texts (green bubbles) work with any phone but do not support group names or the ability to remove someone without starting over.
  • If someone in an iMessage group has an Android phone or turns off iMessage, that group automatically converts to SMS and loses naming and removal features.
  • You can mute a group chat so notifications do not appear, or leave it entirely without affecting the other members.

The difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups

When everyone in your group has an iPhone and iMessage is on, you get an iMessage group chat (blue bubbles). These chats let you name the group, add or remove people after creation, pin important messages, and use effects like confetti or balloons. You can also see when people are typing and when they have read your message.

If even one person in the group has an Android phone or has iMessage turned off, the chat becomes an SMS group text (green bubbles). SMS groups work with any phone, but you cannot name them, remove people, or use most of the features that iMessage groups have. If someone leaves an iMessage group and joins back later with an Android phone, the whole group converts to SMS.

You do not choose which type you get — iPhone automatically picks based on who is in the group. If you need everyone to have the same features, everyone needs an iPhone with iMessage on.

How to name your group chat

Open the group chat and tap the names of the people at the top. Tap "Edit Name and Photo." Type the name you want (up to 32 characters) and tap "Done." The name now appears at the top of the chat for everyone in the group.

This only works in iMessage groups. If your group is SMS (green bubbles), the naming option will not appear. You can still add a custom photo to any group by tapping the same "Edit Name and Photo" button and selecting an image from your phone.

Adding or removing people from an existing group

Open the group chat and tap the names at the top. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" or just tap the group name. Scroll down to see the list of members. To add someone, tap the plus sign and select their contact. To remove someone, tap "Edit" in the top right, then tap the red minus sign next to their name and confirm.

Again, this only works in iMessage groups. In SMS groups, you cannot remove people — the only way to exclude someone is to start a new group without them. If you remove someone from an iMessage group and they had an Android phone, the group stays as iMessage for the remaining members.

Muting notifications from a group chat

Open the group chat. Swipe left on it (or press and hold it) and tap "Mute." Choose how long you want to mute it — options are one hour, eight hours, one day, or forever. The chat will still exist and receive messages, but your phone will not make a sound or show a badge with the number of unread messages.

You can unmute the same way by swiping left and tapping "Unmute." Muting a group does not affect what other members see — they will still get notifications normally.

Leaving a group chat

Open the group chat and tap the names at the top. Scroll down and tap "Leave This Conversation." You will be removed from the group and will not receive any more messages from it. The other members will see a notification that you left.

In iMessage groups, you can rejoin if someone adds you back. In SMS groups, leaving is permanent unless someone manually adds your number to a new group text. Leaving a group does not delete the old messages — they stay in your Messages app.

What to do if a group chat is not working

If messages are not sending or people are not receiving them, first check that everyone has a working internet connection (for iMessage) or cell service (for SMS). iMessage groups need WiFi or cellular data; SMS groups need cell signal. If one person has no connection, their messages will not go through.

If the group is iMessage but keeps converting to SMS, it usually means one member has iMessage turned off or does not have it available on their device. Ask them to check Settings > Messages > iMessage and make sure it is on. If they have an Android phone, the group will always be SMS.

If messages are delayed, restart the Messages app by closing it completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, restart your iPhone. If one person's messages never arrive, ask them to check that they are not blocked in your contacts and that their phone number or Apple ID is correct in the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group chat after I create it?

Yes, but only in iMessage groups. Open the chat, tap the names at the top, and tap the plus sign to add new members. In SMS groups, you cannot add people — you have to create a new group text with everyone you want to include.

What happens if I add someone who has me blocked?

They will not receive the message and will not be added to the group. You will not get a notification that they are blocked — the message will simply fail to send to them. They can still see the group if someone else adds them later.

Can I see if someone read my message in a group chat?

Only in iMessage groups. Tap and hold a message and tap "Details" to see read receipts from each person. SMS groups do not show read receipts. You can turn off read receipts for yourself in Settings > Messages > Send Read Receipts, but this affects all your chats.

How do I delete a group chat?

Swipe left on the group in your Messages list and tap the trash icon. The chat is deleted from your phone, but it still exists for other members. If someone sends a new message to the group, it will reappear in your Messages app.

Can I have a group chat with just two people?

Technically yes, but it works differently. A two-person chat is treated as a regular conversation, not a group, so you cannot name it or use group-specific features. Once you add a third person, it becomes a true group chat with all the group features available.