The basic steps to create a group text on Android

To start a group text on Android, open your default messaging app (usually Messages, though some phones use a different app), tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts before sending your first message. The exact steps depend on which messaging app your phone uses, but the principle is the same across all of them: select people, then message them together.

Android phones come with different default messaging apps depending on the manufacturer. Samsung phones typically use Samsung Messages. Google Pixel phones use Google Messages. Other Android phones may use their carrier's app or a generic Android Messages app. Regardless of which one you have, the process takes about 30 seconds and requires no special permissions beyond what the app already has.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your messaging app, tap the compose or new message button, and select multiple contacts before typing your message.
  • Group texts on Android work over standard SMS or MMS depending on message size and content, not through a separate app or service.
  • If a group text includes an iPhone user, the conversation may switch to iMessage on their end, which can affect read receipts and typing indicators.
  • You cannot remove yourself from a group text on most Android phones — you can only mute notifications or delete the conversation.
  • Group texts sent as MMS (when they include images or video) may count against your data plan depending on your carrier.

Step-by-step for Samsung Messages

On a Samsung phone, open the Messages app and look for a blue circle with a plus sign or a pencil icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it. You will see a field that says "To:" — tap it and start typing the first person's name. As you type, matching contacts appear below. Tap each person you want to add. You can add as many people as you want, though most carriers handle groups of 10 or fewer smoothly.

Once you have selected everyone, tap the text field at the bottom, type your message, and tap send. The message goes to all of them at once. If anyone replies, their response appears in the same conversation thread, and everyone in the group sees all replies. That is the entire process.

Step-by-step for Google Messages

On a Google Pixel or any phone using Google Messages, tap the pencil icon at the bottom right. You will see a field labeled "To" with a plus sign next to it. Tap the plus sign or the "To" field itself. A list of your contacts appears. Tap each person you want to include — a checkmark appears next to their name when selected. Tap the back arrow or "Done" button once you have chosen everyone.

Type your message in the text field and tap send. The group text works the same way as on Samsung — all replies appear in one thread, and everyone sees everything.

What happens when you mix Android and iPhone users

If your group includes both Android and iPhone users, the behavior changes depending on which app the iPhone user has. If they use iMessage (Apple's messaging service), their phone may display the group text differently, and they may see read receipts or typing indicators that Android users do not see. From your Android perspective, the conversation looks normal — you send and receive messages the same way.

The technical reason: iMessage is a separate service from standard SMS and MMS texting. When an iPhone user is in the group, Apple's servers may route the conversation through iMessage on their end while your Android phone uses standard text messaging. This does not break the conversation, but it can create small differences in how each person experiences it. If the iPhone user leaves the group, those differences usually disappear.

The difference between SMS and MMS group texts

When your group text contains only text, it travels as SMS (Short Message Service), which is the basic text standard. If you add an image, video, audio file, or emoji, Android automatically converts it to MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). MMS messages are larger and may count against your data plan depending on your carrier — some carriers charge per MMS message, while others include unlimited MMS in your plan.

You do not have to do anything to trigger this switch; your phone handles it automatically. If you are on a limited data plan and sending many images to a group, check your carrier's policy on MMS charges. Most major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular) include MMS in standard plans, but some regional carriers or older plans may charge per message.

Muting notifications and leaving group texts

If a group text becomes noisy and you want to stop seeing notifications, open the conversation, tap and hold the thread, and look for a "Mute" or "Notifications" option. This silences alerts without removing you from the group. You can still read messages when you open the app — you just will not get a ping every time someone replies.

Unlike iMessage on iPhone, Android does not give you a clean "leave group" button. You can delete the conversation entirely, but that removes it from your message list without actually removing you from the group. If someone sends a new message to the group, the conversation reappears in your inbox. If you truly want out, you can send a message saying you are leaving and then mute the thread, but the group itself continues without you.

Privacy and security in group texts

Group texts sent over SMS or MMS travel through your carrier's network, not through an encrypted app. This means your carrier can see the content, and so can anyone with access to your phone. If you are discussing sensitive information, a group text is less find than a messaging app like Signal or WhatsApp, which encrypt messages end-to-end.

The trade-off is convenience: group texts work on any phone with any carrier and require no app installation. If privacy is a priority for your group, consider moving the conversation to a dedicated messaging app instead. If you are just coordinating plans or sharing casual updates, standard group texts are fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I have already started it?

This depends on your messaging app. Some apps let you tap a menu button in the conversation and select "Add member" or similar. Others do not support adding people mid-conversation — you would need to start a new group text with the expanded list. Check your app's menu options within the active conversation.

Why do some people in my group text not see my messages?

The most common reason is that their phone number is not saved correctly in your contacts, or they have blocked your number. Less often, carrier issues or network problems delay delivery. Ask them to confirm they received it, and check that their number in your contacts matches what they gave you.

Do group texts use more data than regular texts?

Standard SMS group texts use the same amount of data as individual texts — essentially none. MMS group texts (with images or video) use more data per message, but most carriers include MMS in standard plans. Check your carrier's policy if you are on a limited plan.

What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group text?

Technically, you can add dozens of people, but most carriers handle groups of 10 to 20 smoothly. Larger groups may experience delivery delays or dropped messages. If you need to reach many people reliably, a messaging app or email is usually more stable.

Can I see who has read my group text message?

Standard SMS and MMS group texts do not include read receipts on Android. If your group includes iPhone users on iMessage, they may see read receipts on their end, but you will not see them on your Android phone. To get read receipts in a group, switch to a messaging app like Signal or WhatsApp.