Creating a group chat takes three steps: open Messenger, tap the pencil icon to start a new conversation, and select multiple people instead of one

A group chat in Messenger is a single conversation thread where you can message multiple people at once. Unlike a one-on-one chat, everyone in the group sees all the messages and can reply to the whole group or to individual people within it. You create one by starting a new message and choosing more than one recipient — Messenger automatically converts it to a group chat once you add the second person.

The process is the same whether you use Messenger on your phone, tablet, or computer. The differences are small: on a phone you tap icons, on a computer you click them, but the order of steps stays identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a new message by tapping or clicking the pencil icon, then type or select the names of people you want to add.
  • You can add up to 250 people to a single group chat, though most group chats work better with fewer than 20.
  • The person who creates the group can name it, change who is in it, and remove people at any time.
  • Group chats stay active as long as at least one person has the conversation open — they do not disappear if everyone leaves.
  • You can mute notifications from a group chat without leaving it, so you see messages only when you open Messenger.

How to create a group chat on your phone

Open Messenger and look for the pencil icon in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it to start a new message. A search box appears where you can type names or phone numbers. Type the first person's name and tap their profile when it shows up. Then type the second person's name and add them the same way. Keep adding people until your group is complete.

Once you have added at least two people, tap the arrow or "Next" button at the bottom of the screen. Messenger takes you to a new chat window. You can now type your first message. If you want to name the group something other than the list of people's names, look for a settings icon (usually three dots or a gear) at the top of the chat and tap "Group Name" or "Edit Group Details."

How to create a group chat on a computer

Open Messenger in your web browser or the desktop app. Click the pencil icon in the top left corner. A box appears where you can search for people. Click in the search field and type the first person's name, then click their profile. Type the second person's name and click theirs. Continue until everyone you want is added.

Click "Next" or the arrow button. You are now in the group chat and can type your message. To name the group, click the group name at the top of the chat window — it usually shows as a list of people's names by default. Click "Edit Group Details" or the settings icon and choose "Group Name" to give it a custom name.

Adding and removing people from an existing group

To add someone to a group chat that already exists, open the chat and look for the settings menu. On a phone, tap the three dots or gear icon at the top. On a computer, click the group name at the top of the window. Look for an option that says "Add Members" or "Add People." Type the person's name and tap or click to add them. They will see the group chat appear in their Messenger inbox and can start reading the conversation history.

To remove someone, open the same settings menu and look for "Remove Members" or a list of people in the group. Tap or click the X or minus sign next to the person's name. They will no longer see new messages in that group, though the old messages stay in their chat history. Only the person who created the group or people with admin rights can add or remove members — regular members cannot change who is in the chat.

Naming your group and changing settings

When you first create a group, Messenger shows the members' names as the group title. You can change this to anything you want. Open the group chat, tap or click the group name at the top, and select "Edit Group Details" or "Group Name." Type a new name — this could be "Project Team," "Weekend Plans," "Book Club," or anything else that describes the group's purpose.

In the same settings menu, you can also change the group photo (tap or click the image icon), mute notifications so you do not get alerts for every message, and control who can see the group. Some groups are set to "Private," meaning only members can see it exists, while others are "Public," though public groups are rare in Messenger.

Muting notifications without leaving the group

If a group chat is active and you do not want constant notifications, you can mute it. Open the group, tap or click the settings icon (three dots or gear), and look for "Mute Notifications" or "Mute Chat." You can usually choose how long to mute it — options are often "15 minutes," "1 hour," "8 hours," "24 hours," or "Until I Turn It Back On." While muted, you will not see notifications on your phone or computer, but the messages are still there when you open Messenger.

Muting is different from leaving the group. When you mute, you stay in the chat and can still read and send messages. When you leave, you no longer receive messages and the group disappears from your chat list. You can rejoin a group you left if someone adds you back.

What happens when you leave a group chat

If you no longer want to be part of a group, you can leave it. Open the group, tap or click the settings icon, and select "Leave Group" or "Leave Chat." You will no longer receive messages from that group, and it will disappear from your chat list. However, the group itself continues — other members can still message each other, and if someone adds you back later, you can rejoin.

When you leave a group, the other members are usually notified that you have left, though this depends on your privacy settings. The messages you sent before leaving stay visible to everyone else in the group. If you want to return, ask someone in the group to add you back, or if you created the group originally, you can add yourself back through the group settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group chat if they are not my friend on Facebook?

Yes. You can add anyone to a group chat as long as you have their phone number or know their Messenger username. They will receive a message that you have added them to the group, and they can choose to join or decline. If they decline, they will not see the group chat.

What is the difference between a group chat and a group in Messenger?

A group chat is a straightforward conversation with multiple people. A Messenger group (sometimes called a "community" or "group") is a larger space where people can post, comment, and organize discussions by topic. Group chats are better for quick conversations with friends or coworkers. Groups are better for communities with shared interests.

Can I see who has read my message in a group chat?

Yes. In most group chats, you can see small profile pictures or checkmarks under your message showing who has read it. Tap or click on those icons to see the names of people who have seen your message. This works the same way as in one-on-one chats.

What happens to a group chat if the person who created it deletes their account?

The group chat stays active. Other members can continue messaging, and the group will function normally. The creator's name may appear differently or as "Facebook User," but the chat itself does not disappear. If you need to manage the group, another member can usually take over admin duties.

Can I schedule a message to send to a group chat later?

Messenger does not have a built-in schedule feature for group chats on most phones and computers. You can only send messages when ready. Some third-party tools claim to offer scheduling, but they are not official Messenger features and may not be find.