What group texting is and which phones can do it

Group texting lets you send one message to multiple people at once, and everyone in the group can see replies from each other. The setup depends on what phone you have and which messaging app you use. On iPhones, group texts work through the built-in Messages app without any extra steps. On Android phones, the process varies by manufacturer and which messaging app you choose — some phones have group texting built in, others require you to download a separate app.

The most common group texting apps across both iPhone and Android are Messages (Google's default on most Android phones), WhatsApp, and Telegram. Each one works slightly differently, so the right choice depends on whether your group members already use a particular app and whether you want the group to include people outside your immediate contacts.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can create group texts directly in the Messages app by selecting multiple contacts and typing a message.
  • Android users should check whether their phone's default messaging app supports groups, or download WhatsApp or Telegram if it does not.
  • Group texts sent over regular SMS may not work on all phones or carriers — using an app like WhatsApp or Telegram is more reliable across different devices.
  • Once you create a group, you can name it, add or remove people, and mute notifications if you do not want alerts for every message.

Setting up a group text on iPhone

Open the Messages app and tap the pencil icon in the top-left corner to start a new message. Tap the plus sign next to "To:" and select each person you want to add to the group. You can type their name or phone number, and the app will show matching contacts as you type. Once you have selected everyone, type your message and tap Send.

To name the group, open the conversation after the first message is sent, tap the group name at the top of the screen, and select "Edit Name and Photo." Type the name you want and tap Done. You can also add or remove people later by tapping the group name, selecting "Edit," and using the plus or minus icons next to each contact.

Setting up a group text on Android

The steps depend on which messaging app your phone uses by default. If you use Google Messages (the default on most newer Android phones), open the app and tap the plus icon to start a new conversation. Select "New group," then tap each person you want to add. Once everyone is selected, tap "Create group," give it a name, and send your first message.

If your phone uses a different default messaging app, check the app's menu for a "New group" or "Create group" option — the exact wording and location vary. If your phone's built-in app does not support groups, download WhatsApp or Telegram instead. Both apps work the same way: open the app, look for a "New group" button (usually a plus icon or pencil icon), select your contacts, name the group, and send a message.

Using WhatsApp or Telegram for more reliable group texting

WhatsApp and Telegram work across iPhone and Android, so they are good choices if your group includes people with different phone types. Both apps require everyone in the group to have the app installed, but they offer features that regular text messages do not — like the ability to share photos and videos without eating into your text plan, and the option to mute a group so you do not get notifications for every message.

To create a group in WhatsApp, open the app, tap the menu icon (three dots on Android, or the compose icon on iPhone), and select "New group." Select each person you want to add, name the group, and tap Create. In Telegram, tap the pencil icon, select "New group," add members, name the group, and tap Create. Both apps let you add or remove people after the group is created by opening the group settings.

Managing group settings and notifications

Once your group is set up, you can control how you receive messages. In the Messages app on iPhone, open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and toggle "Do Not Disturb" to mute notifications without leaving the group. In Google Messages on Android, open the group, tap the three dots, and select "Notifications" to choose how often you get alerts.

In WhatsApp and Telegram, open the group, tap the group name at the top, and look for notification settings. You can usually choose to mute the group for a set amount of time (like 8 hours or 1 week) or permanently. You will still see messages when you open the app — muting just stops the notifications from popping up on your screen.

Troubleshooting common group texting problems

If some people in your group are not receiving messages, the issue is usually that group SMS (regular text messages) does not work reliably across all carriers and phone types. The fix is to switch to WhatsApp or Telegram, which both use internet data instead of SMS and work the same way on every phone. If you want to stick with regular texting, ask anyone who is not receiving messages to check their carrier's settings or contact their carrier's support line.

If you created a group in Messages or Google Messages and people are seeing individual messages instead of group replies, make sure everyone in the group has group messaging turned on in their phone settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and toggle "Group Messaging" on. On Android, the setting varies by phone — check your phone's messaging app settings or your carrier's support page for the exact steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I create it?

Yes. On iPhone, open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, select "Edit," and tap the plus icon to add new people. On Android with Google Messages, open the group, tap the three dots, select "Add members," and choose who to add. In WhatsApp and Telegram, open the group settings and look for "Add members" or a plus icon.

What happens if someone leaves a group text?

On iPhone and Android, if someone leaves a group text, they will no longer receive messages sent to that group. Everyone else in the group will see a notification that they left. You can add them back later if you want. In WhatsApp and Telegram, the person who left can rejoin if someone sends them the group link, or you can add them back manually through the group settings.

Do group texts use more data or cost more money?

Regular group texts sent over SMS count as individual text messages to each person, so they may count against your text message plan if you have a limit. WhatsApp and Telegram use internet data instead, so they do not count as text messages. If you have unlimited texting, the cost is the same either way.

Can I send a group text to people who do not have smartphones?

Yes, if they have regular cell phones that receive text messages. Create a group in your phone's messaging app and add their phone numbers. They will receive your message as a regular text, but they may not be able to see replies from other group members depending on their phone and carrier. WhatsApp and Telegram require a smartphone with the app installed, so those will not work for basic cell phones.

How do I remove someone from a group text?

On iPhone, open the group, tap the group name, select "Edit," and tap the minus icon next to the person's name. On Android with Google Messages, open the group, tap the three dots, select "Members," and tap the minus icon next to their name. In WhatsApp and Telegram, open the group settings, find the members list, and tap the person's name to see the option to remove them.