How to create a group text on Android

Open the Messages app (or whatever texting app came with your phone — Samsung uses Samsung Messages, Google Pixel uses Google Messages). Tap the pencil or compose icon at the bottom or top of the screen. Instead of selecting one contact, tap the field where it says "To" or "Recipients" and add multiple people by typing their names or phone numbers. Android will automatically create a group conversation once you add more than one person.

When you send your first message to the group, all recipients will see it as a group text, not individual messages. The conversation will stay grouped in your message list so you can find it easily later. If you want to name the group something other than the list of names, look for a group info icon (usually three dots, a gear, or an "i" in a circle) and tap it to add a custom name.

Key Takeaways

  • Android creates a group text automatically when you add two or more people to a single message.
  • You can name your group by opening group info and entering a custom name instead of seeing a list of contact names.
  • Group texts work over regular SMS and MMS, so they do not require internet or a special app if your phone plan includes texting.
  • Muting a group text stops notifications without leaving the conversation, so you can read messages later without constant alerts.
  • Some Android phones limit group texts to SMS or MMS only, while others support RCS (a newer texting standard that works more like messaging apps).

Naming and customizing your group

To give your group a name, open the conversation and tap the group info button. On most Android phones this is three vertical dots in the top right, a gear icon, or an information icon. Look for an option that says "Group name," "Edit group," or "Group details." Tap it and type the name you want — something like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans" instead of seeing "Sarah, Mike, and 3 others" every time you open the chat.

You can also add a group photo or emoji in the same menu on many phones. This makes the group easier to spot in your message list. Some phones also let you set a custom notification sound or color for the group, so you can tell it apart from one-on-one texts at a glance.

Adding and removing people from a group text

Open the group conversation and tap the group info button (three dots, gear, or "i" icon). Look for "Add members," "Add people," or a plus sign. Type the contact name or phone number of the person you want to add. They will see the entire conversation history once they are added, so they will know what was discussed before they joined.

To remove someone, open group info and find their name in the member list. Tap and hold their name or look for a minus sign or delete icon next to it. Confirm the removal. The person will no longer receive messages sent to the group after they are removed, but they will still see all the messages that were sent while they were in the group.

Muting notifications without leaving the group

If a group text is sending too many notifications, you do not have to leave it. Open the conversation, tap the group info button, and look for "Mute," "Notifications," or "Sound settings." You can usually choose to mute for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, or indefinitely. The messages will still arrive and stay in the conversation — you just will not get a sound or vibration alert every time someone sends one.

On some phones you can also choose to mute only notifications but keep the message preview visible on your lock screen, or mute everything including the preview. This is useful when you want to read the group later without being interrupted, but do not want to miss the conversation entirely.

SMS, MMS, and RCS: what type of group text you have

Most Android group texts use MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), which is the older standard that works over your phone's data plan or cellular connection. MMS lets you send photos and videos in a group, but it has limits — file sizes are smaller, and delivery can be slower than messaging apps. If your group text only shows text, it is probably using SMS (straightforward Message Service), which is even older and does not support photos or videos.

Some newer Android phones and carriers support RCS (Rich Communication Services), which works more like a messaging app but still uses your phone's texting plan. RCS shows when people are typing, lets you see read receipts, and handles group texts more smoothly. Not all carriers or phones support it yet, so you may not have it available. Check your Messages app settings to see if RCS is turned on — if it is, your group texts will say "Chat" instead of "SMS" or "MMS" at the top.

Leaving a group text

Open the group conversation and tap the group info button. Look for "Leave group," "Remove me," or "Exit." Tap it and confirm. You will no longer receive messages sent to the group, and the group will disappear from your message list. The other members will see a notification that you have left.

On some older Android phones, the "Leave group" option may not appear. If that is the case, you can mute the group instead, or delete the conversation from your message list (though this only removes it from your view, not from the group itself).

Troubleshooting group texts that are not working

If people are not receiving your group messages, check that you have a strong cellular or data connection. Group texts sent over MMS need either cell signal or WiFi to work. If one person is not receiving messages but others are, ask them to check their phone number in the group — sometimes a typo in a phone number will cause one person to drop out silently.

If the group text keeps splitting into individual messages, your phone may not support MMS group texts. Try switching to a different messaging app like Google Messages (which supports RCS on supported phones) or WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram (which work over internet instead of your phone plan). You can also contact your carrier to confirm that MMS is turned on for your account — some carriers disable it by default on certain plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a group text without using an app?

Yes. The Messages app that comes with your phone is already installed and works over your cellular plan, so you do not need to read anything. Open Messages, tap compose, add multiple contacts, and send. This uses SMS or MMS depending on what your phone and carrier support.

What happens if someone does not have a smartphone?

Group texts work on any phone that can receive text messages, including older phones and basic phones. They will receive the messages as regular SMS or MMS texts. They may not see typing indicators or read receipts, and the experience will be simpler, but they will still be part of the group.

Do group texts cost extra?

No. Group texts count toward your regular texting plan, just like one-on-one messages. If you have unlimited texting, group texts are included. If you pay per message, each message in a group counts as one message, not one per person.

Can I schedule a group text to send later?

Not in the standard Messages app on most Android phones. You would need to use a third-party app like Google Messages (which has scheduled send on some phones) or another messaging app that supports scheduling. Check your Messages app settings to see if the option is available.

Why does my group text look different on my phone than on my friend's?

Different Android phones and carriers support different texting standards. Your phone might use MMS while theirs uses RCS, or one of you might be using a different messaging app. The conversation will still work, but the appearance and features (like typing indicators) may differ between phones.