The simplest way to send a group text
On both iPhone and Android, you can send a text to multiple people at once by adding them all to a single message thread. The steps are nearly identical across both platforms: open your messaging app, start a new message, add multiple contact names or phone numbers in the recipient field, type your message, and send. The message goes to everyone on the list at the same time.
The key difference between a group text and texting people individually is that everyone in the conversation sees the replies from everyone else — it becomes a shared thread rather than separate one-on-one conversations. This works through standard SMS (text messaging) on most phones, so you do not need a special app or internet connection, though group texts over WiFi through iMessage or Android's RCS messaging are also possible.
How you add multiple recipients depends slightly on which phone you have, but the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, tap the plus sign in the message compose field and select multiple contacts, or type names separated by commas in the "To" line.
- On Android, open a new message and add multiple phone numbers or contact names in the recipient field — most phones let you type them separated by semicolons or commas.
- Everyone in a group text sees all replies from all other people, so it is a shared conversation, not individual messages.
- Standard group texts work over regular cell service, but iMessage group chats (iPhone) and RCS chats (Android) offer read receipts and typing indicators if everyone uses the same platform.
How to start a group text on iPhone
Open the Messages app and tap the pencil icon in the top-left corner to start a new message. You will see a field labeled "To" at the top. Tap it and begin typing a contact's name — the phone will show matching contacts as you type. Tap the contact you want to add. Repeat this for each person you want in the group.
Alternatively, if you know the phone numbers, you can type them directly into the "To" field separated by commas or semicolons. Once all recipients are added, tap in the message field at the bottom, type your message, and tap the send button (the arrow icon). The message will be sent to everyone at once, and their replies will appear in the same thread.
If you plan to text the same group regularly, you can save the group. After you send the first message, tap the group name at the top of the conversation thread, then tap "Add a Name to This Group" and type a name. The next time you want to message this group, you can find it in your recent conversations.
How to start a group text on Android
Open your default messaging app (usually called Messages, SMS, or Messaging) and tap the button to create a new message — this is typically a pencil icon, a plus sign, or a compose button. You will see a field for recipients. Tap it and start typing a contact's name or phone number. As you type, matching contacts will appear; tap the one you want to add.
Add each person by repeating this process. You can also type phone numbers directly, separating them with semicolons or commas depending on your phone's messaging app. Once all recipients are added, tap the message field, type your text, and tap send. Everyone will receive the message, and replies will show in a shared thread.
Most Android phones allow you to name a group text after the first message is sent. Look for a group name field or settings option at the top of the conversation. Naming the group makes it easier to find in your message list later.
The difference between SMS group texts and app-based group chats
A standard group text sent over cell service (SMS) works on any phone, even older ones, and does not require internet. However, SMS group texts do not show read receipts (you cannot see if someone has read your message) or typing indicators (the dots that show someone is typing). Replies come through as individual messages rather than a unified thread on some older phones.
If everyone in your group uses iPhone, iMessage group chats offer read receipts, typing indicators, and better formatting. If everyone uses Android, RCS (Rich Communication Services) provides similar features. These work over WiFi or cellular data rather than standard text messaging. If your group is mixed — some iPhones, some Android — the conversation will fall back to standard SMS, and you will lose those extra features.
For groups that need more control, dedicated messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram let you create named groups, set permissions, and manage who can message whom. These require everyone to read the same app, but they work across all phone types and offer stronger privacy controls.
What happens when someone replies to a group text
When a person replies to a group text, their message appears in the same thread and everyone sees it. This is different from sending individual texts to multiple people, where each person's reply comes back to you alone. In a group text, all responses are visible to all participants.
On iPhone with iMessage, you can see exactly who read your message and when. On Android with RCS, you get similar information. With standard SMS, you straightforward see the replies arrive without read status. If someone replies "only to you" rather than the group, they would have to send you a separate individual message — the group text app does not have a "reply privately" option built in.
Troubleshooting common group text problems
If your group text is not sending, first check that you have entered all phone numbers or contact names correctly. Typos in a single number will cause that message to fail for that recipient. On iPhone, make sure you are not mixing phone numbers and email addresses in the same group — iMessage groups work best when everyone is using iMessage, while SMS groups should use phone numbers only.
If some people are not receiving messages, they may have blocked the group, their phone may not support group messaging, or their carrier may have restrictions. Ask one person to confirm they received the message. If only one person is missing messages, the problem is likely on their end — they may need to check their spam folder or contact their carrier.
If you see a group text as individual messages instead of a thread, your phone may be set to show SMS and iMessage separately, or the group may have fallen back to SMS because not everyone uses the same platform. Check your messaging app settings to see if there is an option to combine group conversations.
When to use a group text versus a messaging app
Use a group text when everyone in the group has a phone number and you need a quick, straightforward way to reach them all at once. Group texts work when ready and do not require anyone to read anything. They are ideal for coordinating plans with friends, notifying family of updates, or sending a message to a small team.
Use a messaging app like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram when your group is large (more than 10 people), when you need features like file sharing or voice calls, when you want stronger privacy controls, or when the group spans multiple countries and you want to avoid international texting charges. Apps also let you mute notifications from a group without leaving it, and they preserve message history better than some phones' built-in text apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group text to people who have Android and iPhone?
Yes. The message will send to everyone, but it will use standard SMS rather than iMessage or RCS, so you will not see read receipts or typing indicators. Everyone will still receive and see the message and replies in a shared thread.
Do people know they are in a group text or do they think I texted them individually?
They know it is a group text because they see the other recipients' names or numbers at the top of the conversation, and they see replies from other people in the thread. It is clear to everyone that this is a group conversation, not a private message.
What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group text?
Most phones support 10 to 20 people in a single group text without problems, though some carriers or phones may have lower limits. If you regularly need to message more than 20 people, a dedicated messaging app is usually more reliable.
If I delete a group text conversation, does it delete it for everyone else?
No. Deleting a conversation from your phone only removes it from your device. Everyone else still has the conversation in their message history. If you want to end a group conversation, you would need to send a message saying so.
Can I remove someone from a group text after I send it?
Not directly. Once a message is sent, you cannot unsend it or remove a recipient from that specific message. On iPhone, you can remove people from future messages in an iMessage group by opening the group, tapping the group name, and selecting "Leave This Conversation" or removing individual members. On Android, this depends on your messaging app — standard SMS does not have a built-in remove feature.