Send a group text by adding multiple contacts to one message
To send a group text on an iPhone, open the Messages app, tap the pencil icon to start a new message, then add multiple phone numbers or contact names in the "To:" field. Separate each name or number with a comma, or tap each contact individually from your list. Once you've added everyone, type your message and tap Send. All recipients receive the message as a group thread where everyone can see replies from other people in the group.
The key difference between a group text and sending the same message to multiple people individually is that a group text creates one conversation thread where all replies appear together. Individual recipients see that others are in the conversation, and they can reply to the whole group instead of just to you.
Key Takeaways
- Group texts on iPhone are created by adding multiple contacts to a single message in the Messages app, then sending it once.
- Everyone in the group sees all replies in one thread, and anyone can respond to the entire group at once.
- You can name a group text by opening the conversation, swiping up on the group name at the top, and entering a custom name.
- Group texts work over standard text messaging (SMS) or iMessage, depending on your plan and whether all recipients have iPhones.
- If a group text stops working or shows delivery errors, check that all phone numbers are correct and that you have an active data or cellular connection.
Step-by-step: Creating your first group text
Open the Messages app on your home screen. Tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-right corner to create a new message. This opens a blank message window with a "To:" field at the top.
Tap inside the "To:" field and start typing the first person's name or phone number. As you type, your contacts appear in a dropdown list. Tap the person's name to add them. Type a comma, then add the next person. Repeat until everyone you want in the group is listed. You can add up to 100 people to a single group text, though most group conversations stay much smaller.
Once all recipients are added, tap in the message box at the bottom and type what you want to say. Tap the Send button (the arrow icon) to send the message to everyone at once. The conversation now appears as a group thread in your Messages list, and you can continue texting back and forth with the whole group.
How to name a group text so everyone knows what it's about
By default, a group text shows the names of all members at the top. If you want to give it a specific name instead—like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans"—open the group conversation and tap the group name or the circle of profile pictures at the very top of the screen.
A menu appears with options. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" or the info icon (depending on your iOS version). Type in the name you want for the group. You can also add a custom emoji or photo to represent the group. Tap Done, and the new name appears at the top of the conversation for everyone in the group.
Not everyone in the group has to use the same name—each person can set their own name for the conversation on their own phone. The name you choose only shows on your device.
The difference between iMessage group texts and SMS group texts
If everyone in your group has an iPhone and iMessage is turned on, your group text sends over iMessage, which uses data or Wi-Fi instead of your text message plan. These conversations show blue message bubbles and include features like read receipts (you see when people have read your message), typing indicators, and the ability to react to messages with emojis.
If even one person in the group has an Android phone or doesn't have iMessage turned on, the entire conversation switches to standard SMS text messaging. SMS group texts show green bubbles, don't include read receipts or typing indicators, and may not support all the same features. The message still reaches everyone, but the experience is different.
You can check which type of group text you're using by looking at the message bubbles—blue means iMessage, green means SMS. If you want to keep using iMessage features, you may need to create a separate group without the Android user, or contact that person separately.
Adding or removing people from an existing group text
To add someone to a group text that's already started, open the conversation and tap the group name or profile pictures at the top. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" or the info icon. Look for an "Add Contact" option or a plus sign. Tap it, then select the person you want to add from your contacts. Tap Done.
To remove someone, open the same menu, find their name in the list, and swipe left on their name (or tap the minus sign if you see one). Tap Remove or Delete to confirm. The person is removed from the group, and they won't receive any future messages sent to that conversation. However, they can still see all the messages that were sent before they were removed.
Keep in mind that if you remove the last iPhone user from a group that was using iMessage, the conversation may switch to SMS. Similarly, adding an iPhone user back to an SMS group might switch it back to iMessage if everyone now has iMessage available.
Troubleshooting when group texts aren't working
If a group text fails to send or some people aren't receiving messages, first check that you have an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Open Settings, tap Cellular or Wi-Fi, and confirm you're connected. If you're using iMessage, make sure iMessage is turned on by going to Settings > Messages and toggling iMessage to on.
Verify that all phone numbers or email addresses in the group are correct. A single typo in one contact's number can cause delivery failures. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and review each person's contact information. If you spot an error, tap Edit and correct it.
If the problem persists, try closing the Messages app completely and reopening it. On newer iPhones, swipe up from the bottom to close the app, then tap Messages again. If that doesn't work, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on. This often fixes temporary messaging issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group text to people who don't have iPhones?
Yes. When you add an Android user or anyone without iMessage to a group, the entire conversation converts to SMS text messaging. Everyone still receives the message, but you lose iMessage features like read receipts and typing indicators. The green message bubbles indicate you're using SMS instead of iMessage.
What happens if I mute a group text?
Muting silences notifications for that group conversation, so you won't hear alerts when new messages arrive. You can still read and send messages in the group—they just won't notify you. To mute, swipe left on the group in your Messages list, tap the speaker-with-a-slash icon, then tap Mute. You can unmute the same way.
Can I send a group text to more than 100 people?
iPhone's Messages app supports up to 100 recipients in a single group text. If you need to reach more people, you'll need to create multiple groups or send separate messages. Some third-party messaging apps support larger groups, but standard iPhone messaging has this limit.
Why does my group text show some messages in blue and some in green?
This happens when the group includes both iMessage and SMS users. Messages from iPhone users with iMessage on appear blue, while messages from Android users or iPhones without iMessage appear green. The entire group conversation may switch between blue and green depending on who's sending at any moment.
How do I leave a group text?
Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Leave this Conversation." You'll be removed from the group and won't receive future messages. However, you can still see all messages sent before you left. The group continues without you, and other members can still message each other.