Send a text to a group without creating a group chat
iPhone lets you send the same text message to multiple people in two ways. The first way sends individual messages to each person — they do not see that others received the same text, and they reply only to you. The second way creates a group chat where everyone can see each other's replies. Which one you choose depends on whether you want a conversation or just need to notify several people at once.
Most people use the individual message method when they want to send the same announcement to friends, family, or coworkers without starting a back-and-forth group discussion. You use the group chat method when you actually want everyone to talk to each other.
Key Takeaways
- To send the same message to multiple people without a group chat, open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple recipients in the "To:" field separated by commas.
- Each person receives an individual message and does not see that others got the same text, and their replies come back to you alone.
- To create a group chat where everyone can see replies, add three or more people to a single message thread and they will be grouped together in future conversations.
- You can name a group chat by opening it, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting "Edit Name" to make it easier to find later.
- Group messages sent over cellular use MMS (multimedia messaging service) and may count against your text plan depending on your carrier.
How to send individual messages to multiple people at once
Open the Messages app and tap the compose button — it looks like a pencil in a square, usually in the top right corner. In the "To:" field, type or paste the first person's name or phone number. When their contact appears, tap it to select them.
Now type a comma and a space, then add the next person's name or number. Repeat this for everyone you want to message. You can add as many people as you need. Once all recipients are in the "To:" field, type your message in the text box at the bottom and tap Send.
Each person will receive the message as if you sent it to them alone. They will not see that you also sent it to others, and when they reply, only you will see their response. This is the cleanest way to send an announcement or reminder to a group without starting a group conversation.
How to create and manage a group chat
If you want everyone to see each other's messages and reply in one thread, create a group chat instead. Open Messages and tap compose. Add three or more people to the "To:" field the same way you would for individual messages — type names or numbers separated by commas. Type your message and send it.
Once you send a message to three or more people in a single thread, iPhone automatically treats it as a group chat. All future messages in that thread will go to everyone, and everyone will see all replies. The group stays together in your Messages list so you can easily find it again.
To name your group chat, open the conversation, tap the group name or the circle of profile pictures at the top, then tap "Edit Name." Type a name like "Book Club" or "Project Team" and tap Done. The name appears at the top of the chat so everyone knows what the conversation is about.
The difference between SMS and group messaging
When you send a message to one person, it uses SMS (Short Message Service) if you have cellular service, or iMessage if both of you have Apple devices and iMessage turned on. When you send to a group, the rules change depending on how many people you include and what type of message it is.
If everyone in your group has iMessage enabled, the message sends as iMessage and does not count against your text plan. If even one person does not have iMessage, the entire message converts to MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), which may count as multiple messages depending on your carrier's plan. Some carriers charge per MMS message, while others include them in your monthly allowance.
You can see which type of message you are sending by looking at the send button. If it says "Send" in blue, it is iMessage. If it says "Send" in green, it is SMS or MMS. Check your carrier's plan if you are unsure whether group messages count against your limit.
Troubleshooting when group messages do not send
If a group message fails to send, the most common reason is that one recipient does not have a working phone number or email address in your contacts. Open the conversation, tap "Details" at the top right, and check that all phone numbers are formatted correctly with the country code if needed.
Another common issue is that iMessage is turned off. Go to Settings, tap Messages, and make sure "iMessage" is toggled on. If it is off, group messages will try to send as MMS instead, and some carriers block MMS to certain numbers or in certain situations.
If you are trying to add someone to an existing group chat and they do not appear, they may have an older iPhone that does not support group messaging, or their carrier may not support MMS. In that case, you can send them a separate individual message or ask them to update their phone.
How to remove someone from a group chat
Open the group conversation, tap the group name or profile pictures at the top, then scroll down and tap "Edit Name and Photo." You will see a list of all members. Swipe left on the person you want to remove, and a red "Remove" button appears. Tap it to remove them from the group.
When you remove someone, they will no longer see new messages in that chat, and their name will disappear from the member list. However, they will still be able to see all the messages that were sent before you removed them. Everyone else in the group will see a notification that the person was removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group message to people who do not have iMessage?
Yes. If any member of your group does not have iMessage, the message converts to MMS and sends to everyone. MMS works on any phone with a working phone number, but your carrier may charge for it depending on your plan. Check with your carrier to see if group MMS messages count against your limit.
What happens if I send a message to multiple people but do not create a group chat?
Each person receives an individual message with no indication that others got the same text. They cannot see each other's replies, and when they respond, only you see their message. This is useful for sending the same announcement to many people without starting a group conversation.
Can I add someone to a group chat after it has already started?
Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, tap "Edit Name and Photo," then tap the plus sign to add new members. The new person will see all future messages but not the conversation history from before they were added.
Why does my group message say "Not Delivered"?
This usually means one or more recipients have a phone number that is not working, blocked, or not set up for text messages. Open the conversation details and verify that all phone numbers are correct and include the country code if needed. You may need to contact the person through another method to confirm their number.
Do group messages use more data than regular texts?
Group messages sent as iMessage use data the same way regular iMessages do — they go through Wi-Fi or your cellular data connection. Group messages sent as MMS use a small amount of data to send, but they primarily count as text messages on your plan, not data. Check your carrier's policy to see how they count MMS messages.