How to create a group chat in Messenger
To start a group chat in Facebook Messenger, open the app and tap the pencil icon (on iPhone) or the plus sign (on Android) in the top left corner. Select "Create a group" or "New group" from the menu. Type in the names of the people you want to add — you can search by their username or full name — and tap each person to add them. Once you've selected everyone, give the group a name and tap "Create." The group chat appears in your message list when ready, and all members can see the conversation history from that point forward.
On a computer, go to Messenger.com, click the pencil icon at the top left, and choose "Create a group." Search for and add members the same way, name the group, and click "Create group." The process is the same across all devices — the group exists once you've named it and added at least one other person.
Key Takeaways
- Group chats in Messenger are created through the pencil or plus icon, and you can add people by searching their names or usernames.
- Only the group creator can change the group name, photo, and description — other members cannot modify these settings.
- All messages in a group chat are visible to every member added to that group, and members can see when others are typing.
- You can leave a group chat at any time, but leaving does not delete the chat history for other members.
- Group chats are stored on Meta's servers, and your messages are subject to the same data practices as one-on-one Messenger conversations.
Who can see messages in your group chat
Every person you add to the group can see all messages sent in that chat, including messages sent before they joined — Messenger does not hide earlier conversation history from new members. This means if you add someone to an existing group, they will be able to read everything that was said before they arrived. If you want to keep certain messages private, you cannot do that within a group chat; you would need to start a separate one-on-one conversation instead.
Members can also see when other people are typing, when they have read messages (if read receipts are on), and their profile pictures. There is no way to hide your typing status or read receipts within a group chat — these features explore to the whole group or not at all.
What happens when you leave or remove someone
If you leave a group chat, the conversation remains visible to everyone else, and they can continue messaging without you. Your departure does not delete the chat or erase any messages. If you rejoin the group later, you will see the full history of what was discussed while you were gone.
If you remove someone from a group chat, they lose access to the conversation when ready and cannot see new messages. However, they can still see all the messages that were sent while they were a member. The removed person will see a notification that they were removed, and the group chat will disappear from their message list.
Group chat settings you can control
The group creator has the most control: they can change the group name, add or remove members, set a group photo, and add a group description. Other members cannot make these changes — only the creator can. If you create a group, you remain the creator even if you leave and rejoin.
Any member can mute notifications from the group chat, which means you will not receive alerts when new messages arrive, but you can still see the messages if you open the chat. You can also customize the chat color and emoji reaction options. These are personal settings that only affect what you see — they do not change the experience for other members.
How Messenger stores group chat data
Group messages are stored on Meta's servers, the same way one-on-one messages are. Meta can see the content of your messages, and the company uses this data for purposes outlined in its privacy policy — including showing you targeted ads, training its systems, and complying with legal requests. Messages are not encrypted by default in Messenger group chats, which means Meta has access to the text you send.
If you want encrypted messages, you can use Messenger's "Secret Conversations" feature, but this only works for one-on-one chats, not groups. Secret Conversations use end-to-end encryption, which means only you and the other person can read the messages — Meta cannot. There is no encrypted option for group chats in Messenger at this time.
Adding people to an existing group
To add someone to a group chat that already exists, open the group, tap the group name at the top, and look for an option to "Add members" or "Add people." Search for the person's name or username and tap to add them. The new member will when ready see all previous messages in the group — you cannot hide the conversation history from them.
If someone declines to be added or you cannot find them, it may be because they have restricted who can add them to groups in their privacy settings. You can ask them to adjust their settings, or you can start a separate group and ask them to join instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with someone who is not my friend on Facebook?
Yes. You can add anyone to a Messenger group chat if you know their username or can find their profile. They do not need to be your Facebook friend. However, if their privacy settings restrict group invitations, you may not be able to add them without their permission.
What happens to a group chat if the creator deletes their Messenger account?
The group chat remains for other members, and they can continue using it. However, the creator role does not transfer to anyone else — no one in the group will be able to change the group name, photo, or add new members. The group becomes essentially locked in its current state.
Can I see who has read my message in a group chat?
Yes, if read receipts are turned on. You will see a small icon or timestamp showing when each person read your message. You can turn read receipts off in your Messenger settings, which applies to all your chats — both group and one-on-one.
Is there a limit to how many people I can add to a group chat?
Messenger does not publish a specific limit, but group chats with very large numbers of people (over 500) may experience slower performance. For most purposes, group chats work smoothly with dozens of members.
Can I delete messages I sent in a group chat?
Yes. You can remove a message you sent by holding down on it (on mobile) or right-clicking it (on computer) and selecting "Remove." The message will be deleted from everyone's view, though some members may have already seen or screenshotted it before you removed it.