The simplest way to send one message to multiple people
On Android, you can send a single text message to multiple people at once using your default messaging app — usually Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or whatever came with your phone. Open the app, start a new message, and add multiple recipients before typing. The phone sends one copy of your message to each person, and each person receives it as an individual text from you, not as a group conversation where everyone can see each other's replies.
This is different from a group chat, where multiple people message back and forth in one thread and everyone sees all the replies. A group text is straightforward a broadcast — you send the same words to several people separately. Most Android phones can do both, and the steps differ slightly depending on which one you want.
Key Takeaways
- A group text sends one message to multiple people separately; each person receives it as an individual text from you, not a shared conversation.
- To send a group text, open your messaging app, tap the button to create a new message, then add multiple names or phone numbers before typing.
- If you want everyone to see each other's replies in one thread, you need to create a group chat instead, which is a different feature in the same app.
- The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you use Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another app, but the process is similar across all of them.
How to send a group text in Google Messages
Google Messages is the default messaging app on most newer Android phones. Open the app and look for a button to start a new conversation — usually a pencil icon or a plus sign at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and you will see a field that says "To" or "Recipients." Tap that field and start typing the first person's name or phone number. As you type, your contacts will appear; tap the person you want to add.
Repeat this for each person you want to text. You can add as many people as you want. Once you have added everyone, tap the text field at the bottom, type your message, and tap send. Each person will receive the message as a separate text from you. If you want to save this group for later, Google Messages will remember the list of people and let you send to them again without re-entering all the names.
How to send a group text in Samsung Messages
If you have a Samsung phone, you likely use Samsung Messages instead. Open the app and tap the pencil or compose icon. You will see a field labeled "To." Tap it and type the first person's name or number. When their contact appears, tap it to add them. Continue adding each person one at a time.
Once all recipients are added, tap in the message field and type what you want to send. Hit send, and the message goes to each person individually. Samsung Messages also saves your recipient list, so the next time you want to text the same group, you can find them in your recent conversations and send a new message without starting from scratch.
The difference between a group text and a group chat
A group text is what you send when you add multiple people to one message — each person gets their own copy, and they do not see the other recipients or each other's replies. A group chat is a shared conversation where everyone can see what everyone else writes. If someone replies to a group text, you see their reply as a separate message, not as part of a thread with the others.
To create a group chat on Android, the process is almost identical — you add multiple people and send a message. But when they reply, their message goes into a shared thread instead of coming back as an individual text. Most messaging apps treat the first message to multiple people as the start of a group chat automatically, so if you send a message to three people and they all reply, you will see all their replies in one conversation. The distinction matters mainly if you want to keep conversations separate or if you are sending information that does not require replies.
Why your group text might not work
Group texts sometimes fail because the recipient's phone or carrier does not support them, or because you have blocked someone in the group without realizing it. If one person never receives the message, check whether you typed their number correctly. Some carriers also have limits on how many people you can text at once — usually around 20 to 30 — though this is rare with modern phones.
If the message sends but replies come back as individual texts instead of in a group thread, that is normal behavior for Android. Some phones and carriers handle group replies differently, and there is no way to force them all to work the same way. If you need everyone to see each other's messages in real time, consider using WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger instead — those apps create true group chats that work the same way across all phones.
Saving a group for repeated use
Both Google Messages and Samsung Messages remember the people you text together. After you send a message to a group, that conversation stays in your message list. The next time you want to text the same people, you can open that conversation and send a new message without re-entering everyone's names. This is faster than adding recipients one by one each time.
If you want to remove someone from the group or add a new person, you can usually do that by opening the conversation, tapping the group name or the three-dot menu, and editing the members. The exact steps depend on your app, but most messaging apps make this straightforward. Some phones also let you name the group so you can find it more easily later.
When to use a messaging app instead of text
If you are texting the same group of people regularly, or if someone in the group does not have a standard phone plan, consider using WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger instead. These apps work over Wi-Fi or data, so they do not count against your text message limit, and they handle group conversations more smoothly than SMS text messages do. They also let you share photos, videos, and files more easily, and you can see when people are typing or have read your message.
The trade-off is that everyone in the group has to have the same app installed. If you are texting a mix of people — some with iPhones, some with Android, some with older phones — standard text messaging is often simpler because it works everywhere. But if your whole group uses smartphones and has data, a messaging app usually gives you a better experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group text to people who have iPhones?
Yes. Your Android phone will send the message as a standard text, and iPhones receive it the same way. The only difference is that iPhones have a feature called iMessage that lets iPhone users send messages over data instead of text, but that does not affect whether they can receive your group text. They will get your message as a regular text and can reply normally.
What happens if someone in the group does not have unlimited texting?
Each message in a group text counts as one text message for the person receiving it, just like a regular text. If someone has a limited plan, they will use up their texts the same way they would with individual messages. If you are texting a group regularly and someone has limited texts, suggest switching to WhatsApp or another data-based app instead.
Can I unsend a group text after I send it?
No. Once a text message leaves your phone, you cannot recall it. Some messaging apps like WhatsApp let you delete messages after sending, but standard SMS text messages cannot be unsent. If you made a mistake, you have to send a follow-up message correcting it.
Why do some people in my group text not see the others' replies?
This usually happens because of differences in how carriers or phones handle group SMS messages. Some phones and carriers do not support group texting the same way, so replies might come back as individual messages instead of in a shared thread. This is a carrier or phone limitation, not something you can fix on your end. If this is a problem, suggest using WhatsApp or another messaging app instead.
Is there a limit to how many people I can add to a group text?
Most carriers allow 20 to 30 people in a group text, though some allow more. If you try to add too many people, your phone will usually warn you or the message will fail to send. If you need to text a very large group regularly, a messaging app or email is usually a better choice.