Creating a group text is different on iPhone and Android, but both let you add multiple people to one conversation
A group text works like a regular text message, except all replies go to everyone in the conversation instead of just you and one person. On iPhone, you create a group by starting a new message and adding multiple contacts. On Android, the process is nearly identical — open your messaging app, start a new conversation, and select more than one person. The exact steps depend on which phone you have and which app you use to send texts.
The main thing to know upfront: group texts sent over regular SMS (the standard text message system) have limits. iPhone group texts work smoothly between iPhones, but if even one person in the group uses Android, the conversation may split into separate one-on-one texts on some phones. If you need a group conversation that works reliably across both iPhone and Android, a messaging app like WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger is more dependable than SMS.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts to create a group text that works best when all members use iPhones.
- On Android, open your default messaging app, create a new message, and add multiple recipients — the exact steps vary by phone brand and app.
- Group texts over regular SMS may not work reliably if the group includes both iPhone and Android users.
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Facebook Messenger create groups that work the same way on any phone and offer more control over notifications and member settings.
How to create a group text on iPhone
Open the Messages app and tap the compose button (the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner). In the "To:" field, type or search for the first contact you want to add. Tap their name when it appears. Then tap in the "To:" field again and add the next person. Repeat until everyone you want in the group is listed.
Once you have added at least two other people (three total including you), type your message and send it. The conversation will automatically become a group text. All replies will appear in the same thread, and everyone will see what everyone else writes.
If you want to add a name to the group text later, open the conversation, scroll to the top, and tap "Details" in the top right. Tap "Add Contact" and select the person you want to add. They will see the full conversation history once they join.
How to create a group text on Android
Open your default messaging app — this is usually Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or whatever app came with your phone. Tap the button to create a new message (usually a pencil icon or a plus sign). In the recipient field, type or search for the first contact. Tap their name to add them.
Tap in the recipient field again and add the next person. Keep adding contacts until your group is complete. Type your message and send. The conversation will now be a group text, and all replies will show in one thread.
To add someone to an existing group text on Android, open the conversation, tap the menu button (three dots), and look for an option like "Add participant" or "Add contact." The exact wording depends on your phone brand and messaging app. Select the person you want to add and confirm.
Why group texts sometimes fail between iPhone and Android
When you send a group text from an iPhone to a mix of iPhone and Android users, the iPhone tries to send it as an iMessage (Apple's messaging system). If even one person in the group uses Android, most iPhones will automatically switch to sending the group text as regular SMS instead. This usually works fine, but some Android phones and carriers handle group SMS differently, which can cause the conversation to split into separate one-on-one texts on some devices.
You will see this happen when replies from Android users appear in separate message threads instead of in the group conversation. It is frustrating but not a sign that anything is broken — it is just how SMS group texts work across different phone systems. The person sending the text still sees everyone's replies in one place, but others in the group may see them scattered.
Using a messaging app for more reliable groups
If your group includes both iPhone and Android users, or if you want more control over group settings, use a messaging app instead of SMS. WhatsApp, Signal, and Facebook Messenger all create groups that work identically on any phone. Everyone sees the same conversation, notifications work the same way, and you can add or remove people without the conversation splitting.
These apps also let you mute notifications for a group (so you do not get a sound for every message), set a group name and photo, and see when people are typing. You can also leave a group without affecting the conversation for others. The trade-off is that everyone in the group needs to have the same app installed — you cannot mix WhatsApp users with Signal users in one conversation.
Managing group text settings on your phone
On iPhone, you can customize how a group text behaves. Open the group conversation, tap "Details" at the top right, and you will see options to mute notifications, hide alerts, or turn off "Do Not Disturb" exceptions for that group. You can also tap "Leave this Conversation" if you want to stop receiving messages from the group.
On Android, the options vary by phone and app. Open the group conversation, tap the menu button (three dots), and look for "Notifications," "Mute," or "Group settings." From there you can usually silence the group, change notification sounds, or leave the conversation. Some phones let you customize these settings more than others.
Removing people from a group text
On iPhone, open the group conversation, tap "Details," and scroll down to see all members. Tap "Edit" in the top right, then tap the red minus sign next to the person you want to remove. Tap "Remove" to confirm. That person will no longer receive messages from the group, and the group will see a notification that they were removed.
On Android, open the group conversation, tap the menu button, and look for "Remove contact," "Delete member," or similar wording. Select the person and confirm. The exact steps depend on your phone and messaging app. Some Android phones do not let you remove people from SMS group texts — if that is the case, you may need to create a new group without that person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group text with more than 10 people?
Yes, but group texts with many people can become hard to follow and may cause delivery problems on some carriers. If you need to reach a large group reliably, a messaging app is a better choice. Most messaging apps handle groups of 50 or more people without issues.
What happens if someone's phone is off when I send a group text?
Their phone will receive the message when it turns back on, just like a regular text. They will see the full conversation history and can reply normally. There is no special setup needed.
Do group texts cost more than regular texts?
No. Group texts sent over SMS count as regular text messages on your phone plan. If you have unlimited texting, group texts are included. If you pay per text, each message in a group text may count separately depending on your carrier.
Can I send a group text to people who do not have my contact information?
Yes. You can add anyone by their phone number, even if they do not have you saved in their contacts. They will receive the message and can reply, but they may not know who started the group unless you introduce yourself in the first message.
Why did my group text turn into separate one-on-one texts?
This usually happens when an iPhone group text includes Android users. The iPhone may switch from iMessage to SMS, and some Android phones or carriers handle group SMS in a way that splits the conversation. Switching to a messaging app will prevent this.