Open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple people to start a group

To create a group on iPhone, open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner. Tap the plus sign next to "To:" and search for or select the contacts you want to add. You can add as many people as you want, though groups with more than a few people can become hard to follow. Once you've selected everyone, type your message and send — the group is created automatically.

If you're messaging people who use iMessage (Apple's encrypted messaging service), the group will use iMessage by default. If you include someone with an Android phone or a non-Apple device, the group will switch to standard text messaging (SMS), which means you lose some features like read receipts and typing indicators. You can see which type of group you're in by looking at the message bubbles — blue means iMessage, green means SMS.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a group by opening Messages, tapping compose, and selecting multiple contacts from your phone.
  • Groups with only iPhone users stay on iMessage and show blue message bubbles; adding Android users switches the group to SMS with green bubbles.
  • You can change the group name, photo, and notification settings by opening the group and tapping the group name at the top of the conversation.
  • Anyone in the group can add or remove people, change the name, or leave entirely — there is no group owner with special control.
  • Muting a group silences notifications without leaving, so you stay in the conversation but don't get pinged for every message.

Naming your group and adding a photo

Open the group conversation and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens a menu where you can tap "Edit Name and Photo." Type a name that makes sense for the group's purpose — something like "Book Club" or "Work Project" helps everyone remember what the group is for. The name appears at the top of the conversation for everyone in the group.

To add a photo, tap the camera icon next to the name field. You can take a new photo, choose one from your library, or use an emoji. The photo shows up as a small circle next to the group name in your Messages list, making it easier to spot the group at a glance. If you don't add a photo, iPhone shows the first few contact photos of people in the group stacked together.

Adding and removing people from an existing group

To add someone to a group that's already started, open the conversation, tap the group name at the top, and scroll down to see all members. Tap "Add Contact" and search for or select the person you want to add. They'll see a notification that they've been added and can read the entire conversation history from that point forward.

To remove someone, open the group, tap the group name, find the person you want to remove, and swipe left on their name. Tap the red minus icon. That person will no longer see new messages in the group, but they can still see everything that was sent before they were removed. Anyone in the group can remove anyone else — there's no special permission needed.

Controlling notifications and muting a group

If a group is sending too many messages, you can mute it without leaving. Open the group, tap the group name at the top, and toggle "Hide Alerts" on. You'll stay in the group and can still read and send messages, but your phone won't buzz or light up for new messages. You can turn alerts back on the same way.

For more control, tap "Notification Settings" in that same menu. You can choose to get alerts for all messages, only mentions of your name, or none at all. You can also set a custom sound for the group so you know when it's that conversation versus others. These settings are personal to you — they don't affect what other people in the group see or hear.

Leaving a group or ending it entirely

To leave a group, open the conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Leave this Conversation." You'll be removed from the group and won't see new messages. The group continues without you — other people can still message in it. If you change your mind later, someone in the group can add you back.

There is no way to delete a group entirely if other people are still in it. If you're the last person left, the group conversation will disappear from your Messages list, but technically it still exists. If you want to end a group conversation, the clearest approach is to tell everyone you're leaving and ask them to do the same, or to have a final message that signals the group's purpose is done.

Differences between iMessage groups and SMS groups

iMessage groups (all iPhone users) show blue bubbles and include features like read receipts, typing indicators, and the ability to react to messages with emoji. You can also use Memoji, send audio messages, and share your location. SMS groups (with Android or non-Apple devices) show green bubbles and don't have these features — they're just plain text messages with attachments.

If you add one Android user to an all-iPhone group, the entire group switches to SMS. This means everyone loses the blue-bubble features, even the iPhone users. If that Android user leaves later, the group stays on SMS — it doesn't switch back. If you want to keep an iMessage group, you'll need to create a separate conversation without the Android user.

Troubleshooting common group chat problems

If someone isn't receiving messages in a group, check whether they're using iMessage or SMS. If the group is on SMS and they have an Android phone, they may not have the right messaging app set up. Ask them to confirm they're getting the messages at all. If they're on iMessage and not seeing messages, have them turn off iMessage and back on in Settings > Messages > iMessage.

If you can't add someone to a group, they may have blocked you, or their phone number or email might not be in your contacts correctly. Try searching for them by their full name or phone number. If a group conversation keeps crashing or freezing, try force-closing the Messages app (swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones, or swipe down from the top right on newer ones) and reopening it. If the problem persists, restart your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who read my message in a group?

Yes, but only in iMessage groups with all iPhone users. Open the group, tap and hold on your message, and tap "Details." You'll see a list of who has read it and when. SMS groups don't have read receipts — you won't know if anyone has seen your message.

What happens if I add someone to a group after messages have already been sent?

They can see the entire conversation history from the moment they're added. They won't see messages sent before they joined. This is true for both iMessage and SMS groups.

Can I make myself the only person who can add or remove people?

No. On iPhone, every person in a group has equal power to add, remove, or change the group name. There is no group owner or admin role. If you need stricter control, you would need to use a different messaging app.

Why did my group switch from blue bubbles to green?

Someone with an Android phone or a non-Apple device was added to the group. When that happens, the entire group moves from iMessage to SMS. If that person leaves, the group stays on SMS — it won't switch back to iMessage automatically.

Can I unsend a message in a group?

Yes, in iMessage groups only. Tap and hold the message and tap "Undo Send." You have up to two minutes. In SMS groups, you cannot unsend messages — once they're sent, they're sent.