Open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts to create a group text

A group text on iPhone is a conversation with three or more people in one thread. To start one, open the Messages app, tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner, then tap the plus sign next to "To:" and add each person's name or phone number. Once you've added at least two other people, you can type your message and send it — everyone receives it in the same conversation.

Group texts work over SMS (standard text messaging) or iMessage, depending on who you're texting. If everyone in the group has an iPhone and iMessage enabled, the conversation uses iMessage by default, which means you get read receipts, typing indicators, and the ability to react to messages with emoji. If even one person uses Android or has iMessage turned off, the group falls back to SMS, and those features disappear.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the compose button in Messages, add three or more contacts, and send your first message to create a group text.
  • Group texts using iMessage (all iPhones) show read receipts and typing indicators; SMS groups (mixed devices) do not.
  • You can name a group text, mute notifications, and leave a conversation at any time from the group details screen.
  • Group texts are stored on your phone only — there is no cloud backup, so deleting the conversation removes it permanently.

The difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups

When all participants have iPhones with iMessage enabled, your group text runs on iMessage. You'll see a blue message bubble, read receipts (small text under each message showing who read it and when), and typing indicators (the three dots that appear when someone is typing). You can also react to individual messages with emoji, pin important messages, and use voice memos.

If one or more people in the group use Android, have iMessage disabled, or their iMessage isn't working, the group automatically switches to SMS. Messages appear in green bubbles instead of blue, and you lose read receipts, typing indicators, and reactions. SMS groups still work fine for basic texting, but the experience is simpler. You can't control which mode a group uses — iPhone handles it automatically based on who's in the conversation.

How to name your group text and customize notifications

Open the group conversation, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or tap the "i" icon in the top right on older iOS versions) to open the group details. Tap "Group Name" and type a name for the conversation — this name appears at the top of the thread for everyone in the group. The name is optional; if you don't add one, iPhone displays the names of all participants instead.

In the same details screen, you can mute notifications so messages don't trigger alerts, change the notification sound, or turn off typing indicators so others can't see when you're composing a message. Tap "Hide Alerts" to silence the group without leaving it, or tap "Mute" to choose how long the mute lasts (one hour, eight hours, one day, or indefinitely). These settings explore only to your phone — other people in the group won't know you've muted them.

Adding and removing people from an existing group

Open the group conversation and tap the group name at the top to open details. Scroll down to the list of participants and tap "Add Contact" to bring in someone new. Type their name or number and confirm — they'll be added to the conversation and can see all future messages, but they won't see the message history from before they joined.

To remove someone, open the group details, find their name in the participant list, tap "Edit" in the top left, then tap the red minus sign next to their name and confirm. The removed person will no longer receive messages from the group. If you remove everyone except yourself, the group text becomes a regular one-on-one conversation. You can also leave a group entirely by tapping "Leave This Conversation" at the bottom of the details screen — once you leave, you can't see new messages unless someone adds you back in.

What happens when you delete a group text

Deleting a group conversation from your Messages app removes it from your phone permanently. The other people in the group can still see the conversation and send messages — deletion only affects your copy. If someone sends a new message to the group after you've deleted it, the conversation reappears on your phone with that new message and all future ones, but the old message history stays gone.

iPhone does not back up group text conversations to iCloud by default. If you want to keep a record, take screenshots of important messages or use a third-party app designed for message archiving before you delete the conversation. Once deleted, there's no way to recover the messages through iPhone's built-in tools.

Troubleshooting group texts that aren't working

If messages aren't sending to your group, first check that everyone's phone number or Apple ID is correct in the participant list. Open the group details and verify each contact. If someone's information is wrong, remove them and add them again with the correct details.

If the group keeps switching between iMessage and SMS unexpectedly, it usually means one person's iMessage is turning on and off. Ask them to open Settings > Messages and confirm iMessage is toggled on. If it's still unstable, have that person sign out of iMessage (Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Apple ID > Sign Out), wait a few minutes, and sign back in.

If you're not receiving messages from the group but can send them, your phone may not be registered for iMessage properly. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and make sure your phone number and Apple ID email are checked. If your number isn't listed, tap "Add Another Email or Number" and add it. You may need to restart your phone after making changes.

Group texts versus messaging apps for group conversations

Group texts work when ready and require no app read — everyone with a phone can participate. They're built into iPhone and work over cellular or Wi-Fi. However, they don't offer the organizational features of dedicated messaging apps: you can't create channels, pin important information permanently, or search messages as easily. Group texts also don't sync across devices — if you delete the conversation on your iPhone, it's gone from your iPad too.

Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger let you create groups with more control: you can set group rules, restrict who can post, create topic-specific channels, and access the conversation from any device. These apps also work the same way whether someone uses iPhone or Android. For casual group texting with friends or family, iPhone's built-in group texts are usually enough. For work groups, large teams, or conversations that need to stay organized over time, a dedicated app often works better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see if someone read my message in a group text?

Yes, but only if everyone in the group uses iMessage (all iPhones). Open the group conversation and tap and hold on your message — a menu appears showing who read it and when. If the group includes Android users or anyone with iMessage off, read receipts won't appear.

What's the difference between a group text and a group iMessage?

A group iMessage uses Apple's iMessage service and appears in blue bubbles with read receipts and typing indicators. A group text uses SMS and appears in green bubbles without those features. iPhone automatically chooses which one based on whether all participants have iMessage enabled.

Can I send a message to just one person in a group without leaving the group?

Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the person's name or avatar in the participant list, and tap "Send Message" to start a separate one-on-one conversation with them. This doesn't affect the group text.

Do group texts work over Wi-Fi only, or do I need cellular?

Group iMessages work over Wi-Fi or cellular. Group SMS texts require cellular service or Wi-Fi calling enabled. If you're on Wi-Fi and iMessage is on, your group text will use iMessage and work fine. If iMessage is off and you're on Wi-Fi only, SMS won't send until you have cellular service.

Can I schedule a group text to send later?

Not with iPhone's built-in Messages app. You can type your message and hold it in the compose field, but you can't set a specific time for it to send. Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram offer scheduled message features if you need that option.