Creating a group chat in iMessage takes three steps: open a new message, add multiple contacts, and send your first message
A group chat in iMessage is a conversation thread with three or more people. Unlike a one-on-one message, everyone in the group sees all replies and can add new members later. The group exists on your device — there's no separate account to create or settings to configure before you start.
iMessage group chats work only between people using Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). If you add someone with an Android phone, the chat automatically converts to regular SMS/MMS, which means you lose iMessage features like read receipts, typing indicators, and the ability to edit or unsend messages. You'll see this happen in real time — the chat bubble color changes from blue (iMessage) to green (SMS).
Key Takeaways
- Start a group by opening Messages, tapping the compose button, and adding at least two other people before typing your first message.
- iMessage groups only work between Apple device users; adding an Android user converts the entire chat to SMS and removes iMessage features.
- You can name the group, add or remove people, and change notification settings after the chat is created.
- Group chats are stored on your device, not on Apple's servers, so leaving a group removes it from your Messages list but doesn't affect others' copies.
The three-step process to start a group
Step 1: Open Messages and start a new conversation. On iPhone, tap the compose button (pencil and paper icon) in the top right of the Messages app. On Mac, click File, then New Message. On iPad, tap the compose button in the top left.
Step 2: Add contacts. Type or search for the first person's name in the "To:" field. Their name appears as a blue bubble. Tap it to add them. Repeat for each person you want in the group. You need at least two other people (three total including you) for iMessage to treat it as a group.
Step 3: Type and send your first message. Tap in the message field and type your message. Hit send. The group chat is now created and appears in your Messages list.
What happens when you add an Android user to an iMessage group
If you add someone with an Android phone to an iMessage group, the entire conversation converts to MMS (multimedia messaging service). This is automatic and irreversible for that chat — you cannot switch it back to iMessage even if the Android user leaves later.
In an MMS group, you lose: read receipts (you won't see if people have read your message), typing indicators (the "..." dots that show someone is typing), message reactions (the emoji responses), and the ability to edit or unsend messages. You keep the ability to add and remove people, but the chat is no longer encrypted end-to-end the way iMessage is.
If you want to keep iMessage features, you can create a separate group without the Android user, or use a different app like WhatsApp or Signal where everyone — regardless of phone type — gets the same features.
Naming your group and changing who can see it
By default, iMessage groups have no name — they show as a list of the people in them. To name the group, open the chat, scroll to the top, and tap the group members' names or profile pictures. Tap "Edit Group Name" and type a name. This name appears only in your Messages list and in the chat header; it doesn't change what anyone else sees on their device.
iMessage groups have no privacy settings to adjust. Everyone in the group can see all previous messages, add new people, and remove themselves. You cannot make a group "private" or restrict who can read the conversation — if someone is in the group, they see everything.
If you want to remove someone from the group, open the chat, tap the group members at the top, and swipe left on their name. Tap "Remove" (iPhone) or right-click and select "Remove from Group" (Mac). That person will see a notification that they were removed, and they won't receive any new messages sent after that point.
What happens when you leave a group chat
When you leave an iMessage group, the chat disappears from your Messages list on that device. You stop receiving messages from the group. However, the group continues without you — other members can still message and add people.
Leaving a group is permanent on that device. If you want to rejoin, someone in the group has to add you back. There's no "rejoin" button or way to see the group's history after you've left.
If you leave a group on your iPhone but use the same iCloud account on a Mac or iPad, the group also disappears from those devices because they sync through iCloud. If you want to stay in a group on one device but leave on another, you'll need to use a different iCloud account.
Notifications and muting group chats
By default, you get a notification for every message in a group chat. If the group is active, this can mean dozens of notifications per hour. To change this, open the group chat, swipe left on it (iPhone) or right-click it (Mac), and tap "Mute Notifications" or "Mute." You can mute for one hour, one day, or indefinitely.
When a chat is muted, you still see new messages when you open Messages, but you don't get alerts on your lock screen or in Notification Center. You can unmute the same way — swipe or right-click and select "Unmute."
You can also customize notifications per group. Open the group, tap the group members at the top, scroll down, and tap "Hide Alerts" to silence notifications without muting the entire chat thread. This is useful if you want to stay in the group but don't want constant pings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with just two people?
No. iMessage requires at least three people (including you) for a chat to be treated as a group. A two-person conversation is a one-on-one chat. If you add a third person to a one-on-one chat, it becomes a group.
What if someone in the group has an older iPhone that doesn't support iMessage groups?
Very old iPhones (iPhone 4s and earlier, or iOS 5 and below) don't support iMessage groups. If you add someone with one of these devices, the chat converts to MMS automatically, the same way it does when you add an Android user. You'll see the chat bubble turn green.
Can I see who read my message in a group chat?
Yes, but only in an iMessage group (all Apple devices). Open the group, tap and hold the message you sent, and tap "Details." You'll see a list of who has read it and when. This doesn't work in MMS groups or if an Android user is in the chat.
Do group chats use more data or battery than one-on-one chats?
Slightly more, because your phone is sending and receiving more messages. The difference is usually not noticeable unless the group is very large (20+ people) and messages are coming in constantly. Muting notifications doesn't reduce data or battery use — it only stops alerts.
Can I delete a group chat without leaving it?
Yes. Swipe left on the group chat (iPhone) or right-click it (Mac) and tap "Delete." The chat disappears from your Messages list, but you're still technically in the group. If someone sends a new message, the group reappears in your list. To truly leave, you have to tap "Leave This Conversation" from the group details screen.