TikTok group chats work through the direct messaging system
A TikTok group chat is a conversation between three or more people that you start directly in the app's messaging feature, called Direct Messages. Unlike a public comment section or a community page, a group chat is private — only the people you add can see the messages. You create one by opening Direct Messages, selecting multiple friends at once, and sending them a message together.
The group chat appears in both your inbox and theirs. Anyone in the chat can see all previous messages and add new people to the conversation, though you can remove someone if needed. TikTok does not have a separate "groups" feature the way some other platforms do — group chats are straightforward a way to message more than one person at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- Open Direct Messages in TikTok, tap the compose button, and select three or more people from your friends list to start a group chat.
- You can add people to an existing group chat after it is created, and you can remove people if they no longer belong in the conversation.
- Everyone in the group can see all messages sent in that chat, including messages sent before they joined.
- Group chats on TikTok work best for coordinating with friends or discussing content, but they are not designed for large communities or public discussions.
How to create a new group chat step by step
Start by opening TikTok and tapping the envelope icon at the bottom right of your screen — this is your Direct Messages inbox. At the top of the screen, you will see a compose button, usually shown as a pencil or plus icon. Tap it to begin a new message.
A list of your TikTok friends will appear. Tap the names of the people you want to add to the group chat. You must select at least three people to create a group — a conversation between two people stays as a one-on-one chat. As you tap each name, a checkmark appears next to it. Once you have selected everyone you want, tap the button at the bottom (usually labeled "Next" or "Create") to move forward.
Type your first message in the text box and tap send. The group chat is now created and will appear in your Direct Messages inbox. Everyone you added will see the new chat in their inbox and can start responding right away.
Adding and removing people from an existing group chat
To add someone to a group chat that already exists, open the chat and look for a settings or info icon — usually three dots or a gear symbol at the top right of the conversation. Tap it and look for an option to add members or add people. Select the friends you want to add and confirm. They will be added to the chat and can see all previous messages in that conversation.
To remove someone, open the same settings menu and look for an option to remove members or manage members. Tap the person's name and select remove. They will no longer see new messages in the chat, though they can still see the messages that were sent while they were part of the group.
What you can and cannot do in a TikTok group chat
In a group chat, you can send text messages, share TikTok videos, send photos, and react to messages with emojis. You can also mention specific people in the chat using the @ symbol, which sends them a notification. The chat keeps a full history of all messages, so you can scroll back and find old conversations.
You cannot set a group chat to disappear after a certain time, and you cannot make the chat read-only or prevent certain people from messaging. There is no way to mute notifications for just one group chat — you can only mute the entire Direct Messages inbox or turn off notifications for TikTok altogether. If a group chat becomes too large or chaotic, your only option is to leave it or remove people one at a time.
Differences between group chats and other TikTok community features
A group chat is different from a TikTok community or a livestream chat. A community is a public or semi-public space where many people can post and comment, while a group chat is strictly private and limited to the people you invite. A livestream chat is temporary and disappears when the stream ends, whereas a group chat stays in your inbox indefinitely.
If you are trying to reach a large number of people or build a community around a topic, a group chat is not the right tool — it works best for small groups of friends or collaborators who need to stay in touch. For larger communities, consider using TikTok's community feature or directing people to follow your account.
Troubleshooting common group chat problems
If someone is not receiving messages in a group chat, they may have notifications turned off or may have muted the conversation. Ask them to check their Direct Messages inbox directly — the chat might be there even if they did not get a notification. If they still cannot see it, they may have left the chat without realizing it, and you will need to add them again.
If you cannot add someone to a group chat, they may not be on your friends list. On TikTok, you can only message people who follow you or whom you follow. If you want to include someone, make sure you are following each other first. If the compose button is not appearing, try closing and reopening the Direct Messages section or restarting the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with people who do not follow me?
No. On TikTok, you can only send direct messages to people you follow or who follow you. Both people must have a mutual connection before a group chat can be created. If someone is not on your friends list, follow them first and wait for them to follow you back.
What happens if I leave a group chat?
When you leave a group chat, it disappears from your inbox, but the conversation continues for everyone else. You will not see new messages sent after you leave. If you want to rejoin, someone in the group will need to add you back.
Can I see who is in a group chat?
Yes. Open the group chat and tap the settings or info icon at the top. You will see a list of all members in that conversation. From there, you can also add or remove people.
Is there a limit to how many people can be in a group chat?
TikTok does not publish a specific limit, but group chats work best with a small number of people — typically under 20. Very large group chats can become difficult to follow and may load slowly.
Can I make a group chat disappear after I read it?
No. TikTok group chats do not have a disappearing message feature. All messages stay in the chat history unless you manually delete them one by one.