Group texts on iPhone use iMessage or SMS to reach multiple people at once

A group text is a single message you send to several people in one action, rather than typing the same thing to each person separately. On iPhone, you create a group text by adding multiple recipients to a new message before you send it. The group stays together in one conversation thread, so everyone's replies appear in the same place.

The way group texts work depends on whether you're using iMessage (Apple's messaging service, which works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs) or SMS (standard text messaging, which works on any phone). iMessage group texts have more features — you can name the group, add or remove people, and see read receipts. SMS group texts are simpler but work with Android phones and older devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Messages, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts to create a group text in one action.
  • iMessage group texts (blue bubbles) let you name the group and see who has read your message; SMS group texts (green bubbles) work with any phone but have fewer features.
  • You can add or remove people from an iMessage group at any time, but SMS groups cannot be edited after you send the first message.
  • If a group text turns green, at least one person in the group has an Android phone or does not have iMessage turned on.

How to start a group text with iMessage

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap the compose button (the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner). In the "To:" field, type or tap the names of the people you want to include. You can add as many people as you want — there is no limit. As you type each name, the phone will suggest contacts; tap the name to add it.

Once you have added everyone, type your message and tap Send. The message will appear in a blue bubble (which means iMessage is being used). Everyone in the group will see that it is a group text, and their replies will show up in the same thread so you can see the whole conversation in one place.

How to name an iMessage group and manage who is in it

After you send the first message to a group, you can name the group and add or remove people. Open the group conversation, then tap the group name or the contact photos at the top of the screen. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" to give the group a name that will appear at the top of the conversation for everyone in it.

To add someone new, tap "Add Contact" in the same menu. To remove someone, swipe left on their name and tap "Remove." These changes only work in iMessage groups (blue bubbles). If your group text is green, it is using SMS, and you cannot edit it after the first message is sent.

Why some group texts turn green instead of blue

Group texts turn green when at least one person in the group does not have iMessage turned on, uses an Android phone, or has an older device that does not support iMessage. When this happens, your iPhone automatically switches the entire group to SMS instead of iMessage.

This matters because green group texts lose features: you cannot name the group, you cannot see read receipts (blue checkmarks showing who read your message), and you cannot add or remove people after the first message. The conversation still works — everyone will get your messages — but it will behave like a standard text message group instead of an iMessage group.

How to tell if a group text is iMessage or SMS

Look at the color of the message bubbles. Blue bubbles mean the group is using iMessage. Green bubbles mean it is using SMS. You can also look at the send button: if it says "Send" in blue, it is iMessage; if it says "Send" in green, it is SMS.

The difference matters for features. iMessage groups let you name the conversation, see when people have read your message, and edit the group after it is created. SMS groups work with any phone but are simpler — you cannot do any of those things. If you need those features and someone in the group is using Android, ask them to use a messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger instead, which works the same way on all phones.

What happens when you add or remove someone from a group

In an iMessage group, when you add someone new, they see the entire conversation history from that point forward — they can read everything that was said after they joined. When you remove someone, they no longer receive new messages from the group, and they cannot see messages sent after they were removed.

Everyone in the group gets a notification that someone was added or removed. This is useful if you want to start a fresh conversation with a smaller group or if someone needs to join a discussion that is already underway. Remember: this only works in iMessage groups (blue bubbles). If your group is green, you cannot make these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a group text to people with Android phones?

Yes, but it will use SMS instead of iMessage, so you will see green bubbles instead of blue. You will lose features like naming the group and seeing read receipts. If you want a better group messaging experience with Android users, use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or another app that works on both iPhone and Android.

What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group text?

There is no hard limit set by Apple, but very large groups (more than 20 or 30 people) can become slow or unreliable. If you need to reach a large number of people, consider using email or a group messaging app instead.

Can I remove myself from a group text?

In an iMessage group, you can leave the conversation by opening it, tapping the group name at the top, scrolling down, and tapping "Leave this Conversation." In an SMS group, you cannot formally leave, but you can mute notifications so you do not see new messages.

Why did my group text suddenly turn from blue to green?

Someone in the group either turned off iMessage, switched to an Android phone, or lost internet connection. Your iPhone automatically switched the group to SMS. If they turn iMessage back on or rejoin with an iPhone, the group may switch back to blue.

Can I see who read my group text message?

Only in iMessage groups (blue bubbles). Look for blue double checkmarks next to your message — one checkmark means it was delivered, two checkmarks mean it was read. In SMS groups (green bubbles), you cannot see read receipts.