Open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts to send one text to everyone at once

To send a group text on iPhone, 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 you want to include. Type your message and hit send. Everyone receives it as a single conversation thread where all replies appear together. This works over regular SMS (text message) or iMessage, depending on your plan and whether recipients use Apple devices.

The key difference: if everyone in the group has iMessage enabled, the message sends over data or WiFi and costs nothing. If even one person uses Android or has iMessage turned off, the entire message sends as a standard text, which counts against your monthly text allowance if you have a limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the compose button in Messages, add multiple contacts in the "To:" field, type your message, and send to create a group text.
  • Group texts over iMessage (all iPhone users) send free over data; if one person uses Android, the whole message sends as a paid SMS.
  • You can name a group text by opening it, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting "Edit Name and Photo."
  • Muting notifications for a group text prevents constant alerts without leaving the conversation.
  • Leaving a group text removes you from future messages, but you can still see the old conversation history.

The difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups

When all members of a group text use iMessage on an Apple device, the message travels over your internet connection instead of through your cellular network. You see a blue message bubble, and no SMS charges explore. The conversation supports read receipts (you see who has read the message), typing indicators (the three dots showing someone is typing), and reactions like hearts or thumbs-up.

If one person in the group uses Android, a flip phone, or has iMessage disabled, Apple automatically converts the entire group to SMS. The bubbles turn green, read receipts and reactions disappear, and the message counts as a standard text. This happens invisibly — you do not get a warning. If you have an older phone plan with limited texts, a group of five people receiving one message means five separate SMS charges.

To check whether iMessage is on, go to Settings > Messages and confirm the toggle next to "iMessage" is green. If you are unsure whether someone in your group uses iMessage, look at the message bubble color after you send: blue means iMessage, green means SMS.

How to name a group text and customize who sees what

Open any group text conversation, then tap the group name or photo at the very top of the screen. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" and type a name like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans." You can also add a custom emoji or photo to make the group easier to spot in your message list. Tap "Done" to save.

If you want to mute notifications without leaving the group, swipe left on the conversation in your message list, tap the three dots, and select "Hide Alerts." You will still receive messages and can read them whenever you open the conversation, but your phone will not buzz or chime. To turn alerts back on, swipe left again and tap "Show Alerts."

To remove yourself from a group text entirely, open the conversation, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Leave This Conversation." You will no longer receive new messages, but the old conversation stays in your message history so you can refer back to it.

Adding or removing people from an existing group

Open the group text, tap the group name at the top, then tap "Edit Name and Photo." Scroll down to see the list of members. To add someone, tap the plus sign and select a contact. To remove someone, tap the minus sign next to their name, then tap "Remove."

Only the person who started the group can add or remove members in an SMS group text. In an iMessage group, any member can add or remove people. If you try to add someone to an SMS group and you did not start it, the option will be grayed out.

What happens when someone leaves or joins mid-conversation

When a new person joins a group text, they do not automatically see the old messages from before they were added. They only see messages sent after they join. If you want them to know what was discussed, you will need to copy and paste or summarize the earlier conversation.

When someone leaves a group text, everyone in the group receives a notification saying that person has left. In an iMessage group, you can add them back anytime. In an SMS group, if the person who started the group leaves, the group may stop functioning properly on some devices.

Troubleshooting: why your group text might not be working

If your group text is sending as SMS when you expected iMessage, check that everyone's phone number or Apple ID is correct. Typos in a contact's number can cause iMessage to fail and fall back to SMS. Go to Contacts, find the person, and verify their information matches what they gave you.

If messages are not delivering at all, confirm that iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages. If you recently switched from Android to iPhone, Apple's servers may still think your phone number belongs to an Android device. Visit iMessage.com and sign in with your Apple ID to deregister your number, then turn iMessage off and back on in Settings.

If one person in the group is not receiving messages, ask them to check their Do Not Disturb settings (Settings > Focus) and confirm Messages notifications are not muted. They should also restart their phone and check that their contact information is saved correctly in your phone.

Using group texts versus messaging apps

Group texts work well for quick coordination with a small group — plans for tonight, a family update, or a work reminder. They are built into every iPhone and do not require anyone to read an app. However, they have limits: you cannot easily search old messages, there is no way to pin important information to the top, and if the group grows beyond 10 or 15 people, the conversation becomes hard to follow.

For larger groups, ongoing projects, or conversations that need to stay organized, a messaging app like Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp often works better. These apps let you create channels for different topics, search message history easily, and share files without clogging your phone's storage. They also work across iPhone and Android without the SMS fallback problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a group text to people who do not have my contact information?

Yes. In the "To:" field, you can type a phone number or email address directly without the person being in your Contacts. They will receive the message, but they may not know it is from you unless you include your name in the text itself.

Why do some people in my group text see different message times?

Time zone differences can make it look like messages arrived at different times on different phones. If you are in Eastern time and someone is in Pacific time, a message you send at 3 p.m. Eastern will show as 12 p.m. Pacific on their phone. The actual delivery time is the same; only the display changes.

What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group text?

iPhone does not enforce a hard limit, but group texts with more than 20 or 30 people often become slow or unreliable. If you need to reach a large group regularly, a messaging app or email list is more dependable.

Can I unsend a message in a group text?

Yes, if everyone in the group is using iOS 16 or newer. Tap and hold the message, select "Undo Send," and it disappears from everyone's phone within two minutes. If anyone in the group uses an older iOS version, the unsend feature will not work.

Does a group text cost more than a regular text?

Over iMessage, no — it uses data like any other message. Over SMS, it depends on your plan. Some plans charge per message (so a group of five people costs five messages), while others offer unlimited texting. Check your carrier's plan details to be sure.