A group chat on Messages lets multiple people text each other in one conversation
A group chat is a text conversation with three or more people instead of just two. Everyone in the group sees the same messages, and anyone can reply. On iPhone, this happens in the Messages app. On Android, it depends which messaging app you use — Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another one your phone came with.
The main difference from a regular text is that you do not have to send the same message to each person separately. You type once, and everyone gets it. Group chats also show you who has read the message (on some phones) and let you name the conversation so you remember what it is about.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Messages, tap the pencil icon to start a new message, then add three or more contacts to create a group chat automatically.
- On Android with Google Messages, tap the plus sign, select "New group," then add contacts and name the group before sending your first message.
- You can add or remove people from a group chat after it starts, though some phones let you remove only yourself.
- Group chats use regular text message limits, so very large groups or long conversations may count as multiple messages on your phone plan.
How to create a group chat on iPhone
Open the Messages app and tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top left corner. This opens a new message screen. Type or search for the first contact you want to add — tap their name when it appears. Then add a second contact the same way, and a third. Once you have three or more people, the chat automatically becomes a group.
Type your message in the text box at the bottom and tap Send. The message goes to everyone at once. If you want to name the group (so it shows "Soccer Team" instead of "Alex, Jordan, Sam"), swipe up from the bottom of the chat or tap "Details" in the top right, then tap "Group Name" and type what you want to call it.
How to create a group chat on Android
The steps depend on which messaging app came on your phone. If you use Google Messages (the default on many newer Android phones), open the app and tap the plus sign at the bottom. Select "New group." Search for and tap each contact you want to add — you need at least two others besides yourself. Tap the text field that says "Add a group name" and type a name, then tap "Create."
If your phone uses Samsung Messages or another app, look for a plus sign or "New message" button. The process is similar: start a new message, add multiple contacts, and look for an option to name the group. The exact buttons and menus vary, so if you do not see a "New group" option, try tapping and holding on a contact name or look for a menu icon (three dots or lines).
Adding or removing people after the chat starts
On iPhone, open the group chat, tap "Details" in the top right, then tap "Add Contact." Search for the person and tap their name. To remove someone, tap "Details," scroll down, find their name, and swipe left on it, then tap "Remove."
On Android with Google Messages, open the group chat and tap the group name at the top. Tap "Add members" to add someone new. Removing people works differently depending on your phone — some let you remove others, and some only let you remove yourself by tapping "Leave group."
What happens when you send a message to a group
When you type a message and hit Send, it goes to everyone in the group at the same time. On iPhone, you can see when each person has read your message — look for the small text under your message that says "Delivered" or shows their names. On Android, this depends on your messaging app and whether read receipts are turned on.
If someone replies, their message appears in the same conversation thread, and everyone sees it. You do not have to do anything special — just keep typing. If the group gets very large (20+ people) or the conversation goes on for months, the chat file can get large and slow down your phone, but this is rare in everyday use.
Group chat costs and message limits
Group messages count toward your text message limit the same way regular texts do. If your phone plan includes unlimited texting, group chats are free. If you pay per message, each message you send to a group counts as one message, not one per person — so sending to five people costs the same as sending to one.
On iPhone, group chats sent over WiFi using iMessage (shown by a blue bubble instead of green) do not count as text messages at all. On Android, this depends on your messaging app — Google Messages can use data instead of texts if you have WiFi or mobile data, but some older Android apps only use regular text messages.
Troubleshooting group chats that do not work
If you add someone and they do not see messages, check that you typed their phone number or contact correctly. On iPhone, make sure they have an iPhone too — if one person has Android, the group chat may not work properly and will show green bubbles instead of blue. You may need to use a different app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger instead.
If messages are not sending at all, check that you have a data connection or WiFi. Restart the Messages app by closing it completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, restart your phone. On Android, try clearing the cache of your messaging app: go to Settings, find Apps, select your messaging app, tap Storage, and tap "Clear Cache."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group chat with just two people?
No — a group chat requires three or more people. If you add a second person to a regular text, it stays a one-on-one conversation. To make it a group, you must add a third contact.
What if someone leaves the group chat?
On iPhone, if someone removes themselves, they stop getting messages but the chat stays open for everyone else. On Android, it depends on the app — some let people leave quietly, and some notify the group. You can add them back anytime by tapping the add button.
Do group chats work between iPhone and Android?
Yes, but with limits. iMessage (iPhone to iPhone) works best and shows blue bubbles. When an Android user joins, the chat switches to regular text messages and shows green bubbles, which can cause read receipts and typing indicators to stop working.
Can I mute notifications from a group chat?
Yes. On iPhone, swipe left on the group chat in your message list and tap the bell icon to mute it. On Android, tap and hold the group chat, then look for a mute or notification option. You will still see messages, but your phone will not buzz or chime.
What is the maximum number of people in a group chat?
Most phones support 100+ people in a single group chat, though very large groups can slow down your phone. For groups bigger than 20 or 30 people, many people switch to apps like WhatsApp or Telegram instead, which handle large groups more smoothly.