Open Messages and start a new group conversation

To create a group text on iPhone, open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner (or swipe left on the home screen if you use iOS 18 or later). This opens a new message window. Tap the field that says "To:" and start typing the first person's name or phone number.

As you type, your contacts appear below the field. Tap each person you want to add — you can add as many as you want, though group texts with more than 20 people sometimes become slow or unreliable. Once you've selected everyone, tap "Next" in the top right corner.

Type your first message in the text field at the bottom and tap the send button (the arrow). The group conversation is now created and will appear in your Messages list with all the names or numbers of the people in it.

Key Takeaways

  • Group texts on iPhone are created by tapping the compose button in Messages and adding multiple contacts before sending your first message.
  • You can name your group by opening the conversation, swiping up from the bottom, and tapping the "i" icon to access group details.
  • Adding or removing people from an existing group text is done through the same group details menu, though you cannot remove yourself without leaving the conversation entirely.
  • Group texts use standard SMS or iMessage depending on whether all members have iMessage enabled — mixed groups may show delivery status differently.
  • Muting notifications for a group conversation lets you stay in the chat without getting alerts for every message.

Name your group and customize notification settings

Once the group conversation is open, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or tap the "i" icon in the top right on older iOS versions) to see the group details. Tap "Group Name" and type a name for the conversation — this makes it easier to find in your Messages list and reminds everyone what the group is for.

In the same menu, you can turn off notifications for this group by toggling "Hide Alerts" on. The conversation will still appear in your Messages list, but you won't get a sound or banner when new messages arrive. You can also choose to mute the group for a set time (one hour, eight hours, or one day) if you want a temporary break from notifications.

Add or remove people from an existing group

To add someone to a group text that's already started, open the conversation and swipe up from the bottom (or tap the "i" icon). Scroll down to see all the current members, then tap "Add Contact" at the top. Select the person you want to add and they'll be included in the conversation going forward — they won't see the earlier messages, only new ones sent after they join.

To remove someone, open the group details the same way, find their name in the member list, and swipe left on it. Tap the red minus sign that appears. The person will be removed when ready and won't receive any more messages from the group. You cannot remove yourself from a group text — you can only leave the conversation entirely by tapping "Leave This Conversation" at the bottom of the group details menu.

Understand iMessage versus SMS in group texts

If everyone in your group has iMessage enabled (which happens automatically on iPhones, iPads, and Macs), the group text will send as iMessage. You'll see the messages in blue bubbles, and you'll get read receipts showing when people have seen your message. iMessage group texts also let you use features like reactions (tap and hold a message to add a thumbs up or heart) and message effects.

If even one person in the group doesn't have iMessage — because they use Android or have iMessage turned off — the entire group conversation switches to SMS. Messages appear in green bubbles, read receipts don't work, and some features become unavailable. You can check which type of group you're in by looking at the message bubble colors: blue means iMessage, green means SMS.

Pin important conversations and search group messages

If you have several group texts and want to keep one at the top of your Messages list, open the conversation and swipe up from the bottom to see the group details. Tap "Pin Conversation" and it will stay at the top of your list even if you don't message it for a while. You can pin up to nine conversations at once.

To find a specific message in a group text, swipe down from the top of the conversation to reveal the search bar. Type a word or phrase and Messages will show you every instance of it in that group. This is useful if someone shared information (like an address or time) and you need to find it again without scrolling through dozens of messages.

Share photos, links, and files in group conversations

To add a photo to a group message, tap the camera icon next to the text field. You can take a new photo, choose one from your library, or use an effect filter. To share a link, paste it into the message field — iPhone will automatically show a preview of the webpage. To share a file like a document or PDF, tap the plus icon next to the text field, select "Files," and choose what you want to send.

In iMessage groups, you can also tap the plus icon to access apps like Maps (to share your location), Stocks, or Music without leaving the conversation. These features don't work in SMS groups — if your group is green-bubble, you're limited to text, photos, and links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who read my message in a group text?

Yes, but only in iMessage groups (blue bubbles). Swipe up from the bottom of the conversation and tap "Delivered and Read" to see a timestamp showing when each person read your message. SMS groups don't have this feature — you'll only see "Delivered" for the whole group.

What happens if I leave a group text?

You'll stop receiving messages from that group, and the conversation will disappear from your Messages list. The other members can still message the group and won't see that you left — unless you're using iMessage, in which case they'll get a notification that you exited the conversation.

Can I add someone to a group text after it's started?

Yes. Open the group, swipe up, and tap "Add Contact." The new person will only see messages sent after they join, not the earlier conversation history. This is true for both iMessage and SMS groups.

Why did my group text turn green?

A green group text means at least one member doesn't have iMessage enabled or uses an Android phone. Once someone with iMessage leaves or you remove them, the group may turn blue again if everyone remaining has iMessage active.

How do I stop getting notifications from a group without leaving it?

Open the group, swipe up to see details, and toggle "Hide Alerts" on. You'll stay in the conversation and can still read and send messages, but you won't get notifications. You can also tap "Mute" to silence it for a specific time period.