Open Messages and create a new group conversation
To start a group text on iPhone, open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-left corner (or tap "New Message" if you see it). This opens a blank message screen where you can add multiple people at once.
Tap the "To:" field and start typing the first person's name. As you type, your contacts appear below — tap the name to add them. Repeat this for each person you want in the group. You can add as many people as you want, though groups with more than 20 people sometimes run into delivery delays.
Once you've added everyone, type your message in the text box at the bottom and tap the send arrow. The conversation automatically becomes a group text, and everyone receives it as a group message rather than individual texts.
Key Takeaways
- Start a group text by opening Messages, tapping the compose button, and adding multiple contacts to the "To:" field before sending.
- Group texts with iMessage (blue bubbles) let you name the group, mute notifications, and see when others are typing, but require at least one other iPhone user.
- If your group includes Android users, the text becomes an SMS group text (green bubbles) with fewer features and no read receipts.
- You can add or remove people from an existing group text by opening the conversation and tapping the group name at the top.
- Leaving a group text removes you from all future messages, but you can still see the conversation history.
Name your group and customize notifications
If everyone in your group has an iPhone, you can name the conversation and customize how it works. Open the group text, then tap the group name or the circle with initials at the very top of the screen. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" to give the group a custom name that appears for everyone.
In that same menu, you can change the group photo, mute notifications so the group doesn't ping you constantly, or hide alerts entirely. Tap "Hide Alerts" if you want to stay in the conversation but don't want your phone buzzing every time someone sends a message. You can turn alerts back on anytime by tapping "Show Alerts."
Add or remove people from an existing group
To add someone to a group text that's already started, open the conversation and tap the group name at the top. Scroll down and tap "Add Contact," then select the person you want to add. They'll see the entire conversation history once they join.
To remove someone, open the group conversation, tap the group name, and swipe left on the person's name. Tap the red minus sign that appears. That person will no longer receive messages from the group, but they can still see the conversation history on their phone.
Understand the difference between iMessage and SMS groups
Group texts work differently depending on who's in them. If everyone has an iPhone, your group uses iMessage (shown by blue message bubbles). iMessage groups let you name the conversation, see when people are typing, get read receipts showing who read your message, and react to messages with emoji.
If even one person in the group has an Android phone, the entire conversation switches to SMS (shown by green bubbles). SMS groups don't show typing indicators, don't have read receipts, and don't let you name the group or react to messages. The group still works — everyone still gets all the messages — but with fewer features.
Fix common group text problems
If someone isn't receiving group messages, first check whether they're using an iPhone or Android. If they're on Android and the group is set to iMessage-only, they won't get messages. Ask them to confirm their phone number or email is correct in your contacts, then remove and re-add them to the group.
If you're not receiving messages from a group, check that you haven't muted the conversation by accident. Open the group, tap the group name, and look for "Hide Alerts" — if it's on, tap it to turn alerts back on. If messages still aren't coming through, try removing yourself from the group and asking someone to add you back in.
If the group text keeps converting to individual messages, it usually means one person's phone number or email isn't set up correctly for iMessage. Ask each person to check their iMessage settings in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and confirm their phone number and email address are listed there.
Leave a group text or start over
To leave a group text, open the conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Leave this Conversation." You'll be removed from the group and won't receive any new messages, but the conversation stays in your Messages app so you can still read what was said before you left.
If you want to delete the entire conversation, swipe left on the group text in your Messages list and tap the trash icon. This removes it from your phone but doesn't affect anyone else's copy of the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to a group text after it's already started?
Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and tap "Add Contact." The new person will see the entire message history once they join, so they can catch up on what they missed.
What happens if I leave a group text?
You stop receiving new messages from that group, but the conversation stays in your Messages app and you can still read everything that was sent before you left. You can rejoin if someone adds you back in.
Why are my group text bubbles green instead of blue?
Green bubbles mean the group is using SMS instead of iMessage, usually because at least one person in the group has an Android phone. SMS groups still work but have fewer features like no read receipts or typing indicators.
Can I rename a group text if someone has an Android phone?
No. Group naming only works with iMessage, which requires everyone to have an iPhone. If anyone in the group uses Android, the conversation automatically switches to SMS and you won't see the naming option.
How do I stop getting notifications from a group text without leaving it?
Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and tap "Hide Alerts." You'll stay in the group and can still read and send messages, but your phone won't buzz when new messages arrive. Tap "Show Alerts" anytime to turn notifications back on.