The basic steps differ slightly by phone type, but the principle is the same
On an iPhone, open the Messages app, tap the pencil icon to start a new message, then tap the plus sign and select multiple contacts before typing your message. On Android, open your default messaging app (usually Messages by Google, Samsung Messages, or your carrier's app), tap the compose button, search for and add each person you want to include, then type and send. The message goes to all of them at once, and replies come back to the group so everyone can see the conversation thread.
The exact buttons and menu names vary depending on which phone you have and which messaging app you use, but every texting app follows this same flow: create a new message, add multiple people, type, send. If you have already been texting with some of these people individually, you are starting fresh — adding them to one message does not automatically link those separate conversations together.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone Messages and Android Messages both let you add multiple contacts before sending, and replies appear in a shared thread that everyone can see.
- Group texts over standard SMS may not work the same way on all phones — some carriers and older devices show replies as individual messages instead of a thread.
- If group texting feels unreliable or you need features like read receipts or the ability to mute notifications, switching to an app like WhatsApp, Signal, or iMessage (iPhone to iPhone) gives you more control.
- You cannot remove someone from a group text after sending it over standard SMS, so double-check your contact list before you hit send.
Why group texts sometimes feel broken
Standard SMS group texts have a real limitation: they depend on your carrier and your phone's operating system to work smoothly. When you send a group text over SMS (the basic texting protocol, not an app), your phone sends the same message to each person separately. Their phones then have to figure out that it is part of a group and display it as a thread. Not all phones do this the same way.
On older Android phones or some carriers, group text replies may come back to you as individual messages instead of appearing in a single conversation thread. On iPhones, group SMS texts work more reliably, but they still do not have features like read receipts or the ability to see when someone is typing. If you are mixing iPhone and Android users in the same group, the experience can be inconsistent — some people may see a thread, others may see separate messages.
This is why many people switch to messaging apps for groups. Apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or iMessage (if everyone has an iPhone) handle group conversations the same way on every device. Everyone sees the same thread, the same read receipts, and the same typing indicators, regardless of their phone type.
How to set up a group text on iPhone
Open Messages and tap the pencil icon in the top left corner to start a new message. Tap the plus sign next to the text field, then search for and tap each person you want to add. You will see their names appear in a row at the top. Once you have added everyone, type your message and tap Send.
If you plan to text this same group regularly, you can name the group. After you send the first message, tap the group conversation to open it, then tap the group name at the very top of the screen. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" and type a name like "Book Club" or "Roommates". This name appears only on your phone and in the phones of people who have also named the group — it is not a feature of standard SMS, so not everyone will see it.
How to set up a group text on Android
Open your default messaging app. The app name depends on your phone — it might be "Messages" (Google's version), "Samsung Messages", or your carrier's app. Tap the compose or new message button (usually a pencil icon or a plus sign). Search for each contact you want to add and tap them to select them. Once everyone is added, type your message and tap Send.
To name the group on Android, open the conversation after you send the first message, tap the three dots or menu icon at the top, and look for "Group details" or "Edit group name". Type a name and save. Like iPhone, this name is stored on your phone and may not sync across all devices or carriers.
When to use an app instead of standard texting
If your group includes people with different phone types, or if you need features like read receipts, typing indicators, or the ability to remove someone from the conversation, switch to a messaging app. WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram all work on both iPhone and Android, and they handle group conversations the same way on every device.
iMessage is Apple's built-in app for iPhone-to-iPhone messaging. If everyone in your group has an iPhone, iMessage group texts are more reliable than standard SMS because Apple controls both the sending and receiving end. You get read receipts, typing indicators, and the ability to add or remove people from the group at any time. If even one person in the group has an Android phone, the conversation drops back to standard SMS.
For work groups or sensitive conversations, Signal is worth considering. It is free, encrypted by default, and does not collect data about who you message or when. WhatsApp is the most widely used globally and works reliably across all phone types. Telegram offers large group sizes and the ability to search message history easily. All three are free to read and use.
What happens after you send a group text
Replies to a group text come back to everyone in the conversation. On iPhone and modern Android phones, you see all replies in a single thread, so you can follow the whole conversation. On older Android phones or some carriers, replies may appear as separate messages, which makes it harder to follow who said what.
You cannot edit or delete a group text after you send it over standard SMS. You also cannot remove someone from the group or add someone new — if you realize you left someone out, you have to start a new group text with everyone included. This is another reason people prefer messaging apps: they let you add or remove people, edit messages (on some apps), and manage the group more flexibly.
Troubleshooting group texts that do not work
If some people in your group are not receiving messages, check that you have their phone numbers or contact information entered correctly. If one person consistently does not get messages, ask them to check their spam or blocked contacts list — sometimes carriers filter group texts incorrectly.
If replies are not showing up in a thread and instead appear as individual messages, this is usually a carrier or phone limitation, not something you can fix. The easiest solution is to move the group to a messaging app. If you want to stick with standard texting, ask everyone to use the same phone type (all iPhone or all Android), though this is not practical for most groups.
If your phone is not letting you add multiple contacts to a single message, make sure you are using your default messaging app and that you have the latest version installed. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, and check for updates. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, Software Update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to a group text after I send it?
Not over standard SMS. You have to start a new group text that includes the new person and everyone else. If you use a messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal, you can add people to an existing group at any time.
Do all group texts cost extra?
No. Group texts over SMS count as regular text messages on your plan. If you have unlimited texting, group texts are included. If you pay per message, each person in the group counts as one message, so a text to five people costs five message units.
Why do some people see my group text as individual messages?
Their phone or carrier may not support group SMS threading. This is common on older Android phones or certain carriers. Switching to a messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal ensures everyone sees the same format regardless of their phone type.
What is the difference between a group text and a group chat?
A group text over SMS is a basic message sent to multiple people at once. A group chat in an app like WhatsApp or iMessage is a managed conversation where you can add or remove people, see read receipts, and sometimes edit or delete messages. Apps give you more control and features.
Can I turn off notifications for a group text?
On iPhone, open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and toggle off "Notify Me". On Android, open the conversation, tap the three dots, and look for "Mute notifications" or "Mute conversation". Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal have similar options in their group settings.