The basic steps work the same way across most apps

To start a group chat, open your messaging app and look for a button or icon that says "New Chat," "New Message," or "Create Group." On most apps — WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, iMessage — this button is near the top of your screen. Tap it, then select "New Group" or "Group Chat" from the menu that appears. You'll then choose which contacts to add, give the group a name, and send the first message.

The exact wording and location of these buttons varies by app and by whether you're using a phone or computer. But the sequence is always: open the app, find the new chat button, pick group chat, add people, name it, and start talking. Most apps let you add people later if you forget someone at the start.

Key Takeaways

  • Every messaging app has a "New Group" or "Create Group" button, usually near the top of the main chat screen.
  • You choose which contacts to add before the group is created, though you can add more people afterward in most apps.
  • The group name is visible to everyone in the chat, so choose something that makes sense to all members.
  • Some apps let you set who can add new members or change the group name — check your app's settings to control who has that power.

Finding the new group button in your app

On WhatsApp, tap the speech bubble icon at the bottom right (on Android) or the "Chats" tab at the bottom (on iPhone), then look for a "New Chat" button. On Signal, tap the pencil icon at the top right. On Telegram, tap the pencil icon or swipe left on the chat list. On iMessage, tap the pencil-and-paper icon at the top left.

If you're using a desktop or web version of your app, the button is usually in the top left or top right corner. The exact location matters less than knowing that every app puts this button somewhere obvious — it's one of the first things you see when you open the app. If you can't find it, look for a plus sign (+) or a pencil icon, which almost always means "create something new."

Choosing which contacts to add

After you tap the new group button, your app will show you a list of your contacts. You select the people you want in the group by tapping their names or checking a box next to them. Most apps let you search for a contact by typing their name if your contact list is long. Once you've picked everyone, you tap a button like "Create," "Next," or "Done" to move forward.

You don't have to add everyone at once. Most apps let you add people to the group later, even after the first message is sent. This is useful if you forget someone or if you want to invite a new person to join a conversation that's already started. The person you add will see the chat history from the moment they join onward, though they usually won't see messages sent before they were added.

Naming your group

After you select your contacts, the app will ask you to name the group. This name appears at the top of the chat and is visible to everyone in the group. Choose a name that tells people what the group is about — "Book Club," "Family Updates," "Project important date," or "Weekend Plans" are all clear. Avoid names that are too vague or inside jokes that new members won't understand.

You can change the group name later, though some apps require you to be the group creator or an admin to do so. If you're not sure what to call it yet, you can always pick a straightforward name and change it once the group gets going. The name is just a label — it doesn't affect how the chat works or what people can see.

Controlling who can add people and change settings

Most messaging apps let you decide whether any group member can add new people or change the group name, or whether only you (the creator) can do those things. These settings are usually found in the group info or group settings menu, which you access by tapping the group name at the top of the chat.

If you're creating a group with people you trust, you might allow anyone to add members. If you're creating a group for work or for a specific purpose, you might want to keep control so that only you can add people or change the rules. Signal and WhatsApp both let you set these permissions. Telegram gives you even more control — you can decide who can post, who can pin messages, and who can change the group photo.

What happens after you send the first message

Once you've created the group and sent the first message, the group appears in everyone's chat list. All members can see the conversation from that point forward. If you added someone after the group was created, they'll see all messages sent after they joined, but not the ones from before.

Group chats work the same way as one-on-one chats from there on — people type messages, share photos or files, and react to what others say. The main difference is that every message goes to everyone in the group, not just one person. If your app supports it, you can also mute notifications from the group so you don't get pinged every time someone writes something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group chat after it's already started?

Yes. Open the group, tap the group name at the top to see the member list, and look for an "Add Member" or "Add Contact" button. The new person will see all messages sent after they join, but not the conversation history from before.

What if I want to remove someone from the group?

Open the group info, find the member list, and tap and hold (or right-click) on the person's name. Most apps will show you a "Remove" option. That person will no longer see new messages, though they'll still see everything they saw while they were in the group.

Can I make someone else the group admin?

Most apps let you promote a group member to admin status, which gives them the same power to add, remove, and manage members that you have. Look in the group info or settings menu for an "Admin" or "Permissions" option. This is useful if you're managing a large group and need help.

What's the difference between a group chat and a broadcast list?

A group chat is two-way — everyone can see everyone else's messages and reply to them. A broadcast list (available in WhatsApp and some other apps) is one-way — you send a message to multiple people, but they don't see each other's replies. Use a broadcast list if you want to send the same message to many people without creating a group conversation.

Do all members need the same messaging app to be in a group?

Yes. Everyone in the group must have the same app installed. You can't mix WhatsApp users with Signal users in one group. If you need to message people across different apps, you'll have to create separate groups or use a different communication method.