What group messaging is and which platform to use
A group message is a single message you send to multiple people at once, rather than typing the same thing into separate conversations. How you send one depends on what device you're using and which messaging service you have — text message (SMS), iMessage on Apple devices, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email all work differently.
The fastest route for most people is the messaging app already built into their phone. If you have an iPhone, that's iMessage. If you have an Android phone, that's Google Messages (the default on most newer phones) or Samsung Messages. If you want everyone to see each other's replies in one thread, a dedicated group chat app like WhatsApp or Messenger often works better than regular text messages, because group texts can fragment across different phones and carriers.
The choice matters because some methods let people reply to the whole group, some let them reply only to you, and some charge money if you're texting across different countries. We'll walk through the most common options below.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts before typing — iMessage handles the group automatically.
- On Android, open Google Messages or your phone's default messaging app, create a new message, and add multiple recipients the same way.
- WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger let you create a named group that stays open for future messages, unlike text messages which start fresh each time.
- Group texts over regular SMS can behave unpredictably across different phone types and carriers, so a dedicated app is more reliable for ongoing groups.
- Email group messages work best for longer messages or when you need a record, and you can use the BCC field to hide other recipients' addresses from each other.
Sending a group text message on iPhone
Open the Messages app and tap the compose button (the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner). In the "To:" field, type or tap the names of the people you want to message. You can add them one at a time or paste multiple names separated by commas. Once you've added everyone, type your message and hit send.
On iPhone, if everyone in the group has iMessage turned on, the message will send as iMessage (blue bubbles) and people can reply to the whole group. If even one person doesn't have iMessage, the message converts to a regular text message (green bubbles) and replies may only come back to you, not to the whole group. You'll see a note at the top of the conversation telling you which type it is.
If you plan to message this same group regularly, you can save the conversation. After you send the first message, the group chat stays in your Messages list and you can tap it anytime to send another message to everyone without re-entering their names.
Sending a group text message on Android
Open Google Messages (or your phone's default messaging app — Samsung phones use Samsung Messages, for example). Tap the compose button, usually a pencil icon or a plus sign. Tap "New conversation" or "New message." In the recipient field, type or tap the names of the people you want to message, adding them one by one or pasting multiple names.
Type your message and send. Unlike iPhone, Android group texts are always regular SMS messages, which means replies may come back to you individually rather than showing up in one group thread. The conversation will stay in your message list for future use.
If you want a more reliable group chat where everyone sees each other's replies in real time, consider using WhatsApp or Google Messages' chat features (available on newer Android phones). These work more like group conversations than traditional text messages.
Creating a group on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger
WhatsApp and Messenger are better for groups that will message back and forth over time, because they keep a permanent group chat that everyone can see and join, rather than starting a new conversation each time.
On WhatsApp, tap the compose button (pencil icon), then tap "New group." Select the people you want to add, give the group a name, and tap create. Everyone will see the group name and know they're in a group chat. You can add or remove people later, and the entire conversation history stays in one place.
On Facebook Messenger, tap the compose button, then tap "Create a group." Select the people you want to add and tap next. You can name the group or leave it unnamed. The group chat will appear in your Messenger list and stay there for future messages.
Both apps let you mute notifications from a group (so you don't get pinged for every message), leave the group without deleting the chat history, and see who has read your messages.
Sending a group email
Open your email app (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, or whatever you use). Click compose. In the "To:" field, type the email addresses of everyone you want to message, separated by commas or semicolons depending on your email service.
If you want to hide the other recipients' addresses from each other — so each person doesn't see who else got the email — use the "BCC" (blind carbon copy) field instead of "To." Put your own email in the "To:" field and everyone else in the "BCC:" field. They'll each receive the email but won't see the other recipients' addresses.
Email works well for longer messages, formal announcements, or when you need a record of what was said. Unlike text messages or chat apps, emails don't create a back-and-forth group conversation — people reply to you or to everyone, but there's no single unified thread the way there is in WhatsApp or iMessage.
Why group texts sometimes don't work as expected
Group text messages sent over regular SMS (the standard text message system) can behave unpredictably. If you're texting a mix of iPhone and Android users, some people might see replies only from you, while others see the whole group conversation. This happens because different carriers and phone types handle group SMS differently.
If someone's phone is off when you send the message, they might not receive it at all, or they might receive it hours later. If someone leaves the group or their number changes, the message might bounce back to you.
This is why group chats over WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage (when everyone has an iPhone) are more reliable — they use the internet instead of the text message system, so everyone sees the same conversation in the same order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group message to people who have different types of phones?
Yes, but the experience varies. If you send a regular text message to a mix of iPhones and Android phones, some people might see replies only from you, not from each other. Using WhatsApp, Messenger, or email instead ensures everyone sees the same conversation, regardless of their phone type.
What's the difference between a group text and a group chat?
A group text is a one-time message sent to multiple people at once — replies may come back individually to you. A group chat is an ongoing conversation where everyone can see each other's messages in one thread. WhatsApp, Messenger, and iMessage create group chats; regular SMS texts create group messages.
Can I add someone to a group message after I've already sent it?
Not to the original message, but you can start a new group message that includes the new person. In apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, you can add people to an existing group chat at any time, and they'll see all future messages (though not the history before they joined, unless the group settings allow it).
Why do some people in my group text not see replies from others?
This usually happens with regular SMS group texts across different carriers and phone types. Some phones and carriers don't support group SMS properly, so replies route back to you instead of to the group. Switching to WhatsApp or Messenger fixes this because they use the internet instead of the text message system.
Is there a limit to how many people I can add to a group message?
Most messaging apps and email services don't have a hard limit, but very large groups (50+ people) can become slow or unreliable over regular SMS. WhatsApp, Messenger, and email handle large groups better. Check your specific app or email service for any stated limits.