Creating a group chat takes three steps: tap the compose button, select multiple contacts, and name the group
Open WhatsApp and look for the compose icon — a pencil in a square, usually in the top right corner of the Chats tab. Tap it, then select "New Group". Choose the people you want to add by tapping their names; a checkmark appears next to each one you pick. Once you have selected everyone, tap the arrow or next button to move to the naming screen. Type a name for the group and optionally add a group photo, then tap Create. The group appears in your chat list immediately, and all members receive a notification that they have been added.
The exact button locations and wording vary slightly between iPhone and Android, but the process is identical. On iPhone, the compose button is at the top right of the Chats tab. On Android, it is usually a floating circular button with a pencil icon. Both versions let you add up to 256 people to a single group.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the compose button in the Chats tab, then select "New Group" to start creating a group chat.
- You can add up to 256 people to a WhatsApp group, and you select them all before naming the group.
- The group name and photo are optional but help members recognize the group purpose at a glance.
- All members are notified immediately when the group is created, and they can start sending messages right away.
How to add a group photo and description
After you name the group, WhatsApp offers the option to add a photo. Tap the camera icon or the placeholder image area, then choose a photo from your phone's library or take a new one. You can crop and adjust the image before confirming. The photo appears as the group's avatar in the chat list and in the group info screen.
Once the group is created, you can add a group description by opening the group, tapping the group name at the top, and scrolling to the "Description" field. This description is visible to all members and can explain the group's purpose — for example, "Planning the office holiday party" or "Family updates and photos". The description is optional and can be changed or removed at any time by the group admin.
Managing who can see and join your group
By default, WhatsApp groups are private: only people you add can see them or join. However, you can generate an invite link that lets others join without you adding them manually. Open the group, tap the group name, scroll down, and select "Invite to Group via Link". This creates a unique link you can share via text, email, or any other app. Anyone with the link can join the group without your permission.
If you want to control who joins, you can change the group settings so that new members must be approved before entering. Open the group info, tap "Edit", and look for an option like "Approve New Members" or "Restrict Who Can Join". This setting varies by WhatsApp version, but the principle is the same: you review requests before people are added. You can also remove the invite link at any time by tapping "Reset Link" in the group info screen.
What happens when you add someone to an existing group
If you want to add people to a group after it is created, open the group, tap the group name at the top, and select "Add Participant" or a similar option. Choose the contacts you want to add, and they will receive a notification that they have been added to the group. They can then see all future messages, but they cannot see the chat history from before they joined — unless you have changed this setting.
By default, new members see only messages sent after they join. If you want new members to see previous messages, open the group info, tap "Edit", and look for a setting like "Show Previous Messages" or "Message History". This setting controls whether new members can view the full conversation history or only messages from the moment they joined. Keep in mind that showing full history to new members can be a privacy concern if the group has discussed sensitive topics.
Removing people from a group and leaving yourself
To remove someone from a group, open the group, tap the group name, find the member's name in the participants list, and tap their name. A menu appears with the option to "Remove from Group" or similar wording. The removed person receives a notification and can no longer see or send messages in that group. They can rejoin only if you add them again or if they have the group's invite link.
To leave a group yourself, open the group, tap the group name, scroll to the bottom, and select "Exit Group" or "Leave Group". You will no longer receive messages from that group, and your name will appear in the chat with a message like "[Your Name] left". If you are the group admin and leave, WhatsApp automatically promotes another member to admin so the group can continue to function. You can rejoin a group only if someone adds you again or if you have the invite link.
Understanding group admin permissions and settings
The person who creates a group is automatically the admin. Admins can change the group name and photo, add or remove members, edit the group description, and control settings like who can send messages or change the group info. To make someone else an admin, open the group info, find their name in the participants list, tap it, and select "Make Admin" or similar. You can have multiple admins in one group.
Admins can also restrict who can send messages by opening the group info and changing the "Send Messages" setting. Options typically include "Everyone" (anyone can message) or "Only Admins" (only admins can send messages, useful for announcements). Some groups also let you restrict who can change the group photo or name — again, a setting controlled by the admin. These restrictions help keep large groups organized and prevent spam or off-topic messages.
Troubleshooting common group chat problems
If you cannot see the "New Group" option, make sure you are in the Chats tab, not the Calls or Status tabs. On some older phones or WhatsApp versions, the compose button may be in a different location — try looking in the menu (three dots) at the top of the screen. If you still cannot find it, update WhatsApp from your phone's app store.
If someone you tried to add does not appear in your contacts list, they may not have WhatsApp installed, or they may have blocked you. You can only add people who are in your phone's contacts and who have WhatsApp accounts. If a group member is not receiving messages, ask them to check their notification settings — they may have muted the group or disabled notifications for WhatsApp entirely. You can also check if they are still in the group by opening the group info and looking at the participants list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group with just two people?
WhatsApp allows you to create a group with two people, but for one-on-one conversations, a regular chat is simpler. Groups are most useful when you have three or more people who need to communicate together. If you create a two-person group, it functions the same way as a larger group, with all the same settings and features available.
What is the difference between a group and a broadcast list?
A group chat is two-way: everyone can see all messages and reply to each other. A broadcast list is one-way: you send a message to multiple people, but they cannot see each other's replies or the other recipients. Broadcast lists are useful for announcements, while groups are better for conversations where everyone needs to participate.
Can I hide a group chat from my chat list?
Yes. Open the group, swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), and select "Archive" or "Mute". Archiving hides the group until someone sends a new message. Muting silences notifications but keeps the group visible. You can unarchive or unmute at any time from the menu options.
What happens if I delete a group chat?
Deleting a group chat removes it from your chat list, but the group itself continues to exist for other members. They can still send messages, and you can rejoin if someone adds you again or if you have the invite link. Deleting only affects your own view of the group, not the group itself.
Can I change the group name or photo after creating it?
Yes. Open the group, tap the group name at the top, and select "Edit". You can change the name, photo, or description. Only admins can make these changes. All members are notified when an admin changes the group name or photo.