Creating a group chat takes two minutes and works the same way on iPhone and Android
A group chat in Messages lets you send one message to multiple people at once instead of texting each person separately. On iPhone, you open Messages, tap the pencil icon to start a new conversation, then add the names or numbers of everyone you want to include. On Android, you open Messages, tap the plus sign or "New conversation" button, select multiple contacts, and send your first message. The group is created as soon as that first message goes through.
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use iPhone or Android, but the end result is the same — everyone in the group sees all messages and can reply so the whole group sees their response. You can add people later, change the group name, and mute notifications if the chat gets too active.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, tap the pencil icon in Messages, then tap the plus sign to add multiple contacts before sending your first message.
- On Android, open Messages, tap the plus sign or "New conversation," select all the people you want to include, and type your message.
- The group chat is created automatically when you send that first message — there is no separate "create group" step.
- You can add more people to an existing group chat later by opening the group, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting the option to add members.
- Group chats work best when you keep the number of people reasonable — very large groups can slow down message delivery.
How to create a group chat on iPhone
Open the Messages app and look for the pencil icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Tap it. A new blank message window opens.
Tap the plus sign or the "To:" field at the top. A list of your contacts appears. Tap each person you want to add to the group — their name will show up in the field at the top as you select them. You can add as many people as you want, but groups work better with fewer than 20 people.
Once you have selected everyone, tap in the message field at the bottom and type your message. Tap the send button (the arrow icon). The group chat is now created and everyone will see your message.
How to create a group chat on Android
Open the Messages app. Look for a plus sign, a pencil icon, or a button labeled "New conversation" — the exact location depends on which version of Android you have and which messaging app you use. Tap it.
A screen appears asking you to select contacts. Tap each person you want to add to the group. Their names will appear in a list as you select them. Once you have chosen everyone, tap "Next" or "Continue" (the button name varies by phone).
Type your message in the text field and tap send. The group chat is created and all members will see your message immediately.
Adding people to a group chat after it is created
You do not have to add everyone when you first create the group. You can add people later if you realize you forgot someone or want to include a new person in the conversation.
On iPhone, open the group chat, tap the group name at the very top of the screen, then scroll down and tap "Add Contact." Select the person you want to add and tap "Add." On Android, open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, tap "Add members" or the plus icon, select the person, and confirm.
The new person will see all future messages but not the old conversation history, depending on your phone settings and which messaging service you use.
Naming your group chat
By default, a group chat shows the names of everyone in it. If you want a shorter or more descriptive name, you can change it.
On iPhone, open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, then tap "Edit Group Name" and type a new name. On Android, open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, tap the pencil icon or "Edit," type a new name, and save. The new name appears for everyone in the group.
Muting notifications from a group chat
If a group chat gets very active and you do not want your phone buzzing constantly, you can mute it so messages arrive silently. You will still see the messages when you open the app, but you will not get notifications.
On iPhone, swipe left on the group chat in your message list, tap the speaker icon with a line through it, and tap "Mute." On Android, press and hold the group chat, tap the bell icon or "Mute," and choose how long to mute it. You can unmute the chat the same way whenever you want to turn notifications back on.
Troubleshooting group chats that are not working
Sometimes a group message fails to send or people report they did not receive it. The most common cause is that one person in the group does not have a strong internet connection or their phone is set to airplane mode.
If messages are not going through, ask everyone in the group to check their internet connection and make sure airplane mode is off. If one specific person is not receiving messages, they may need to restart their phone or reinstall the Messages app. If the problem continues, check whether your phone has enough storage space — a full phone can prevent messages from sending properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with just two people?
Yes, but it works the same as a regular one-on-one chat. Most people create group chats with three or more people, but there is no technical limit preventing you from creating a group with two contacts.
What happens if someone leaves the group chat?
On iPhone, the person who leaves will no longer see new messages, but the group continues for everyone else. On Android, it depends on your messaging app — some show a notification that someone left, others do not. You can add them back if they want to rejoin.
Can I delete someone from a group chat without their permission?
On iPhone, open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, tap "Edit," and swipe left on the person's name to remove them. On Android, tap the group name, find the person, and tap the minus sign or delete option. They will no longer receive messages from that group.
Is there a limit to how many people can be in a group chat?
Technically no, but group chats with more than 20 or 30 people often slow down and become hard to follow. Very large groups work better on platforms designed for that purpose, like Slack or Discord.
Do I need everyone's phone number to create a group chat?
No. You can use contact names if they are saved in your phone. The Messages app will look up their phone number or email address automatically when you select them from your contacts list.