Open Messages and tap the compose button to start a group chat
To create a group chat on iPhone, open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-left corner (or swipe left on the conversation list and tap the plus sign). This opens a new message screen where you can add multiple people at once.
Type or search for the names of the people you want to include. As you type each name, matching contacts appear below — tap each one to add them. You can add as many people as you want, though group chats with more than 30 or 40 people sometimes become slow or hard to manage. Once you have selected everyone, tap the green send button or type your first message and send it. The group chat is now created.
If you start typing a message before adding all the people you want, you can still add more. Tap the "+" button next to the text field, then select "Details" to open the group settings where you can add or remove people at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the compose button (pencil icon) in Messages, then search for and select multiple contacts to create a group chat when ready.
- You can add people to a group chat after it is created by opening the conversation, tapping "Details" at the top, and selecting "Add Contact".
- Group chats on iPhone use iMessage by default if everyone has an Apple device, or SMS if some people use Android phones.
- You can name your group chat, set a custom photo, and control notifications so the group does not interrupt you constantly.
- Leaving a group chat removes you from all future messages, but you can always ask someone to add you back.
Name your group and add a photo so people know what the chat is about
When you create a group chat, it starts with no name — just the names of the people in it. To give it a proper name, open the conversation and tap "Details" at the top right. Tap the group name field (which shows the list of members) and type a new name. This name appears at the top of the chat for everyone in the group.
You can also add a photo to the group. In the Details screen, tap the blank circle above the group name. You can take a new photo, choose one from your library, or use an emoji. A custom photo makes the group easier to spot in your conversation list, especially if you are in many group chats.
Only the person who created the group can change the name and photo on older iPhones, but on newer iOS versions (iOS 16 and later), any member can edit these details. If you are in a group and cannot edit the name, ask whoever created it to make the change.
Control notifications so group chats do not interrupt you constantly
Group chats can send a lot of messages quickly. To stop them from filling your screen with notifications, open the conversation and tap "Details" at the top. Scroll down and tap "Hide Alerts" to silence notifications from this group without leaving the chat. You will still see new messages when you open the app, but you will not get sounds or badges.
If you want to keep notifications but make them less frequent, tap "Notifications" in the Details screen. You can set the group to notify you only once per minute, or only when someone mentions your name. This is useful for large groups where you want to stay aware but do not need to hear every single message.
You can also customize the notification sound for a specific group. In Details, tap "Sound" and choose a different alert tone. This way, you can tell at a glance which group is messaging you without looking at your phone.
Add or remove people from an existing group chat
To add someone to a group chat after it is created, open the conversation and tap "Details" at the top. Scroll down and tap "Add Contact", then search for and select the person you want to add. They will see all future messages but not the old ones from before they joined.
To remove someone, open Details and tap the minus sign next to their name, then tap "Remove". That person will no longer receive messages from the group, and the group will see a notification that they were removed. On iOS 16 and later, any member can remove people, but on older versions only the creator can.
If you want to leave the group yourself, scroll to the bottom of the Details screen and tap "Leave this Conversation". You will no longer receive messages, and the group will see that you left. You can ask someone to add you back if you change your mind.
Understand the difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups
If everyone in your group chat has an iPhone or Mac, the chat uses iMessage, which sends messages over the internet. iMessage groups show read receipts (you can see who has read your message), support reactions and effects, and let you edit or unsend messages. These chats appear in blue in your conversation list.
If even one person in the group uses an Android phone, the chat switches to SMS (text messaging), which sends messages through your phone carrier. SMS groups do not support read receipts, reactions, or message editing. These chats appear in green. You will be charged for SMS messages if your phone plan has a limit, though most modern plans include unlimited texting.
You cannot change a group from SMS back to iMessage by removing the Android user — you would have to create a new group with only iPhone users. If you need advanced features like reactions or editing, make sure everyone in the group has an Apple device.
Use mentions to get someone's attention in a busy group
In a large group chat, your message might get lost in the flow. To make sure someone sees it, type "@" followed by their name. When you mention someone, they get a special notification even if they have alerts muted for the group. The mention appears highlighted in the conversation so it stands out.
Mentions work in iMessage groups (blue chats) on iOS 15 and later. They do not work in SMS groups. If you mention someone and they do not get a notification, check whether the group is using iMessage or SMS — if it is green, mentions will not trigger a special alert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with just two people?
Yes, but it works the same as a regular one-on-one chat. If you want to add a third person later, you can open the conversation and tap Details, then Add Contact. At that point it becomes a true group chat with a member list.
What happens if I delete a group chat?
Deleting the conversation on your phone removes it from your chat list, but the group itself continues without you. Other members will still see the chat and can message in it. You can ask someone to add you back if you want to rejoin.
Can I see old messages if I leave a group and rejoin?
No. When you leave a group, you stop receiving messages. If someone adds you back later, you will only see messages sent after you rejoin. The old conversation history is not available to you.
Why does my group chat keep switching between blue and green?
This usually means someone in the group is temporarily unreachable on iMessage — their phone is off, they are in airplane mode, or they have no internet. Once they come back online, the chat should return to blue. If it stays green, one member may have switched to Android or turned off iMessage.
Can I schedule a message to send later in a group chat?
On iOS 16 and later, you can press and hold the send button to see scheduling options. Select the time you want the message to send, and it will go out automatically. This works in both iMessage and SMS groups.