Open Snapchat and tap the compose button to begin a group chat
To make a group chat in Snapchat, open the app and look for the compose icon — it looks like a pencil and paper, usually in the bottom right or top left depending on your phone. Tap it, and you'll see options to start a new conversation. Select "New Chat" or the chat icon, and the app will show you a list of your contacts.
From there, you can add multiple people at once by tapping their names. Snapchat will let you add as many people as you want to a single group, though groups with more than 30 or 40 people can get slow or hard to manage. Once you've selected everyone you want, tap "Create" or "Start Chat," and your group chat opens when ready.
Key Takeaways
- You start a group chat by opening Snapchat, tapping the compose button, and selecting multiple contacts before creating the chat.
- Group chats in Snapchat work the same way as one-on-one chats — you can send text, photos, videos, and voice messages to everyone at once.
- You can add or remove people from an existing group chat by opening it and tapping the group name at the top to access settings.
- Group chats stay active as long as at least one person is still in them, even if you leave — they don't disappear when you exit.
Add people to your group before you send the first message
When you're selecting people for your group, take a moment to think about who actually needs to be there. It's easier to add everyone upfront than to add people one at a time later, though you can do both. Tap each person's name to add them — their name will show a checkmark once selected.
If you're looking for someone and can't find them in your contacts list, you may need to add them to Snapchat first. Snapchat only shows people you're already connected with in the compose screen. Once you've checked all the names you want, the "Create" button becomes active and you can start the chat.
Send messages, photos, and videos to the whole group at once
Once your group chat is open, sending messages works exactly like a one-on-one chat. Type a text message and tap send, or hold down the camera button to record a video message that everyone in the group will see. You can also take a photo, draw on it, add stickers, and send it to the group.
One thing to know: Snapchat shows when you've read a message in a group chat, just like in regular chats. If you open the group and see a message, everyone knows you've seen it. Voice messages also work in group chats — hold the microphone icon and speak, then release to send your recording to everyone.
Add or remove people from a group chat that's already started
You don't have to decide on the final group size before you start chatting. To add someone later, open the group chat and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens the group info page, where you'll see a list of everyone in the chat and an option to add more people.
To remove someone, open the same group info page, find their name, and tap it — you'll see a remove option. Keep in mind that only the person who started the group can remove people in some cases, though Snapchat's rules on this can vary. If you want to leave the group yourself, you can do that from the same menu, though the chat will continue without you.
Use group names and custom settings to organize your chats
When you first create a group, Snapchat gives it a default name based on the people in it — usually just the first few names combined. You can change this to something more useful. Open the group info page (tap the group name at the top), and look for an option to rename the group or edit the name.
From the group info page, you can also set a custom emoji or icon for the group, which makes it easier to spot in your chat list. Some versions of Snapchat let you mute notifications from a group chat so you don't get pinged every time someone sends a message, while still being able to read messages when you open the app.
Understand what happens when people leave or the group ends
A group chat in Snapchat doesn't disappear when you leave it — it keeps going with everyone else. If you want to rejoin, you can ask someone in the group to add you back. The chat history stays visible to people who are still in the group, so they can scroll back and see old messages even after you've gone.
If everyone leaves a group chat, Snapchat may eventually delete it, but this usually takes a while. The important thing to know is that leaving a group doesn't erase it for other people, and you won't see new messages once you've left unless someone adds you back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a group chat with people who aren't my Snapchat friends?
No — you can only add people to a group chat if you're already connected with them on Snapchat. If you want to include someone, you'll need to add them as a friend first, which requires their username or a scan of their Snapcode.
What's the difference between a group chat and a Snapchat group?
A group chat is a conversation between multiple people where everyone sees the same messages. A Snapchat group (or community) is a larger space where people can post stories and content that others can react to. Group chats are for direct messaging; groups are more like a shared feed.
Can I see who read my message in a group chat?
Yes — Snapchat shows you when each person has opened and read your message in a group chat. You'll see their name appear under the message once they've viewed it, similar to how it works in one-on-one chats.
What happens if I screenshot a message in a group chat?
Snapchat will notify the person who sent the message that you took a screenshot, just like it does in regular chats. Everyone in the group won't be notified — only the person whose message you screenshotted will know.
Can I delete a group chat I started?
You can leave a group chat you started, but you can't delete it entirely for other people. The chat will continue without you. If you want to end the group, you'd need to remove everyone one at a time, but they could potentially rejoin if someone adds them back.