The simplest way to start a group text

On both iPhone and Android, open your messaging app and look for a button to create a new message — usually a pencil icon, a plus sign, or the word "New". Tap it. Then type or search for the names of the people you want to add, one at a time. Most apps let you tap each person's name to add them to a list. Once everyone is added, type your message and send. That's a group text.

The exact steps depend on which app you're using. iPhone's built-in Messages app, Android's Google Messages, WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram all work slightly differently, but the core idea is the same: create a new conversation, add multiple people, and send. The differences matter mainly if you care about whether the group is encrypted, whether people can see who else is in it, or whether the conversation stays organized as you add more messages.

If you've never done this before, the most common confusion is thinking you need to add people one at a time in separate steps. You don't. Most apps let you add several people before you send your first message, so you can set up the whole group at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a group text by opening your messaging app, tapping the new message button, and searching for multiple people's names before you send anything.
  • iPhone's Messages app, Android's Google Messages, WhatsApp, and Signal all have a group text feature, but the button location and naming vary slightly.
  • Some apps let you name the group, set a photo, or control who can add new members — features that appear after you create the conversation, not before.
  • Group texts sent over regular SMS (on iPhone and Android) do not encrypt the conversation, while WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram encrypt groups by default.

Starting a group text on iPhone

Open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-left corner (or swipe left on the conversation list and tap the plus sign). A new blank conversation appears. In the "To:" field, start typing a contact's name. When their name appears, tap it to add them. Repeat for each person you want in the group. You can add as many people as you want.

Once everyone is added, tap in the message field at the bottom and type your message. When you send it, the group text is created. After the first message is sent, you can tap the group name at the top of the conversation to name the group, add a photo, or change who can add new members. On iPhone, group texts sent over regular cellular service (SMS) are not encrypted, but if everyone in the group has iMessage turned on, the conversation automatically becomes encrypted and appears with a blue bubble instead of green.

Starting a group text on Android

Open Google Messages or your phone's default messaging app. Look for a plus sign or a button labeled "Start chat" and tap it. A screen appears asking you to add recipients. Type or search for each person's name and tap their contact to add them. You can add multiple people before sending anything.

Type your message and tap send. The group text is now created. If you want to name the group or add a photo, tap the group name at the top of the conversation after the first message is sent. Group texts on Android sent over regular SMS are not encrypted. If you want encryption, use WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram instead, where group chats are encrypted by default.

Starting a group on WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram

These apps work differently from your phone's built-in messaging because they use the internet instead of SMS. Open WhatsApp and tap the message icon (or the plus sign, depending on your phone). Select "New group". A list of your contacts appears. Tap each person you want to add — you'll see a checkmark next to their name. Once everyone is selected, tap "Create" or "Next".

You'll then be asked to name the group and optionally add a group photo. After you confirm, the group is created and you can send your first message. Signal and Telegram follow the same pattern: find the new chat button, search for people, add them, name the group, and send. All three apps encrypt group conversations by default, so no one outside the group — not even the app company — can read what you send.

One key difference: on WhatsApp and Signal, you can control whether members can add new people to the group or only admins can. Telegram lets you set whether the group is public (anyone can find and join) or private (only people you invite can join). These settings appear in the group info screen after the group is created.

Why group texts sometimes look different on different phones

If you start a group text on iPhone using Messages and add both iPhone and Android users, the conversation may look messy. iMessage (Apple's encrypted service) only works between iPhones, so when an Android user joins, the whole group falls back to regular SMS, which is not encrypted. The group text will show green bubbles instead of blue, and some features like typing indicators may not work the same way.

This is why many groups that mix iPhone and Android users switch to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram instead. Those apps work the same way on both phones and always encrypt, so everyone sees the same thing. If you're starting a group with people on different types of phones, choosing one of those apps from the start saves confusion later.

Managing the group after you create it

After you send the first message, you can usually change the group name, add or remove people, and adjust settings. On iPhone Messages, tap the group name at the top and look for an info button (usually an "i" in a circle). On Android, tap the group name and look for "Group info" or a similar option. WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram all have a group info screen accessible from the top of the conversation.

Most apps let you remove people from the group, but not all let you remove yourself without deleting the entire conversation on your phone. If you want to leave a group without deleting it, check the app's settings first — some apps archive the conversation instead of deleting it, so you can still see the history. On some platforms, only the person who created the group can remove members or change the group name, while on others any member can do it. Check your app's group settings to see what you can control.

Troubleshooting common group text problems

If you add someone to a group text and they don't receive the message, the most common reason is that their phone number or contact information is wrong. Double-check the spelling of their name in your contacts and make sure you tapped the right person. If they're listed twice in your contacts under slightly different names, you might have added the wrong version.

If a group text on iPhone keeps switching between blue and green bubbles, it means some members have iMessage turned off or are using Android. The group will work fine, but encryption only applies when all members are on iMessage. If you want consistent encryption, switch to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. If someone says they're not getting messages in a group, ask them to check their spam or junk folder — sometimes group texts get filtered by mistake, especially if they're coming from an unfamiliar number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group text after I've already started it?

Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and look for an option to add members. On most apps, any member can add new people, though some apps let only the creator or admins do this. The new person will see all messages sent after they join, but usually not the old conversation history.

What's the difference between a group text and a group chat?

A group text usually refers to SMS messages sent over your phone's cellular network, while a group chat usually means a conversation in an app like WhatsApp or Signal that uses the internet. Group texts are not encrypted by default, while group chats in most apps are. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the technical difference matters for privacy.

How many people can I add to a group text?

Most apps let you add dozens of people, though the exact limit varies. iPhone Messages, Google Messages, WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram all support large groups. Very large groups (over 100 people) can become slow or hard to manage, and some carriers may charge extra for SMS group texts with many members.

Why do some people not see my messages in a group text?

The most common reasons are a wrong phone number in your contacts, their phone being off or out of service, their carrier blocking the message, or their spam filter catching it. Ask them to check their spam folder and confirm their phone number is correct in your contacts. If they're on Android and you're using iPhone Messages, they may not be receiving iMessage versions of your texts.

Can I delete a group text without deleting the whole conversation?

Most apps let you leave a group without deleting the conversation history on your phone. On iPhone, swipe left on the group and tap "Leave this Conversation". On Android, long-press the group and look for a leave option. The conversation will stay in your chat list but you won't receive new messages. If you want to delete it completely, you can do that separately.