Creating a Group Chat on Snapchat

To start a group chat on Snapchat, open the app and tap the chat icon at the bottom left of the screen. Then tap the compose button (the pencil and paper icon) in the top right corner. You will see a list of your contacts. Tap the names of the people you want to add — you can select multiple people at once. Once you have chosen at least two people, tap "Create" at the bottom right. Snapchat will open a new group chat with everyone you selected.

The group chat appears in your chat list when ready. You can start sending messages, photos, or videos right away. Everyone in the group sees all messages and can reply to them. Unlike one-on-one chats, group messages stay visible to all members even if some people have not opened them yet.

You do not need anyone's permission to create a group. Snapchat adds people to the group automatically once you create it, and they will see the new chat in their list the next time they open the app. There is no separate notification — the chat just appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the chat tab, tap the compose button, select multiple contacts, and tap Create to start a group chat.
  • You can add people to an existing group by opening the chat, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting "Add Friends."
  • Only the person who created the group can remove members or change the group name.
  • Group chats on Snapchat work the same way as one-on-one chats — messages, photos, and videos disappear after they are viewed unless someone takes a screenshot.
  • If you leave a group, you stop receiving messages but the group continues without you.

Adding and Removing People From Your Group

To add someone to an existing group, open the group chat and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens the group details page. Tap "Add Friends" and select the people you want to add. Tap "Add" when you are done. The new members will see the group chat appear in their list and can view the entire message history.

Removing someone works differently. Only the person who created the group can remove members. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and look for the member you want to remove. Swipe left on their name (on iPhone) or long-press their name (on Android), then tap "Remove." That person will no longer see the group chat or receive new messages.

If you are not the group creator, you cannot remove other members. You can only leave the group yourself by opening the chat, tapping the group name, scrolling down, and tapping "Leave Chat." Once you leave, you will not see the group in your chat list anymore.

Changing the Group Name and Photo

Only the group creator can change the group name or add a group photo. To do this, open the group chat and tap the group name at the top. Tap "Edit Group" (or the pencil icon, depending on your version of Snapchat). You can then type a new name for the group. The name can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, and spaces.

To add a group photo, tap the camera icon next to the group name while you are in the edit screen. You can take a new photo, choose one from your camera roll, or use a Snapchat filter. The photo appears as the group's avatar in your chat list and in the group details.

If you are not the group creator, you will not see the "Edit Group" option. You can only view the group name and photo, not change them. If you think the group name or photo is inappropriate, you can report it to Snapchat by tapping the group name, scrolling down, and selecting "Report Group."

Understanding Message Disappearance in Groups

Messages in Snapchat group chats disappear the same way they do in one-on-one chats. Once someone opens and views a message, it disappears from their screen after they close the chat. However, the message stays in the group chat history for other members who have not opened it yet. This means different people may see the message disappear at different times depending on when they open the chat.

Screenshots still work in group chats. If someone takes a screenshot of a message, photo, or video, Snapchat notifies the sender that a screenshot was taken. The notification appears in the chat and shows who took it. This applies to all group members — everyone can see that a screenshot happened.

If you want to send something that you do not want anyone to screenshot, you can send it as a Snap instead of a chat message. Snaps sent directly to a group (rather than through the chat) follow Snapchat's standard Snap rules and disappear after viewing. However, this is a different feature from group chat and works slightly differently.

Leaving or Deleting a Group Chat

To leave a group chat, open the chat and tap the group name at the top. Scroll down and tap "Leave Chat." You will when ready disappear from the group. The other members will not receive a notification that you left, but they will notice you are no longer in the member list if they check the group details.

Leaving a group does not delete the chat from your own list right away. The chat may still appear in your history for a short time, but you will not receive any new messages from it. If you want to remove the group from your chat list entirely, swipe left on the group name (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android) and tap "Delete."

If you are the group creator and you leave, the group does not disappear. The remaining members can still chat, but none of them can remove other members or change the group name — those powers stay with the original creator even after they leave. If you want to fully delete a group you created, you must remove all members first, then leave yourself.

Troubleshooting Common Group Chat Problems

If someone is not receiving messages in a group chat, the most common reason is that they have not updated Snapchat to the latest version. Ask them to check the app store and install any available updates. If they have already updated, have them close Snapchat completely and reopen it. This often fixes sync problems where the app is not pulling new messages.

If you cannot add someone to a group, they may have blocked you, or you may not have them as a friend on Snapchat. You can only add people to groups if they are already on your friends list. If you think you should have them as a friend, send them a friend request first and wait for them to accept.

If a group chat disappears from your list, it may have been deleted by the creator, or you may have accidentally deleted it yourself. Deleted chats cannot be recovered. If you want to rejoin a group, ask someone in the group to add you again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a group chat with someone who is not my friend on Snapchat?

No. Everyone in a group chat must already be on your friends list. If you want to add someone to a group, you need to send them a friend request first and wait for them to accept. Once they are your friend, you can add them to any group.

What happens to a group chat if the creator deletes their Snapchat account?

The group chat remains for other members, but no one can change the group name, photo, or remove members anymore. The group becomes locked in its current state. If you need to make changes, the only option is to create a new group and add people to it.

Can I see who read my message in a group chat?

Snapchat does not show read receipts in group chats the way some other apps do. You cannot see which specific people have opened your message. You can only see that messages have been viewed when they disappear from the chat.

Is there a limit to how many people I can add to a group chat?

Snapchat does not publish an official limit, but group chats work best with fewer than 30 people. Very large groups can become slow or glitchy. If you need to reach a large audience, Snapchat Stories or a community (a different feature) may work better than a group chat.

Can I mute notifications from a group chat without leaving?

Yes. Open the group chat, tap and hold on the group name, and select "Mute." You can choose to mute notifications for 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or indefinitely. You will still be in the group and can see messages when you open the chat, but you will not get notifications when new messages arrive.