What a group text is and how to set one up
A group text is a single conversation that includes three or more people. When you send a message to a group text, everyone in that group sees it at once. On iPhone, you create one by opening the Messages app, tapping the pencil icon to start a new message, and adding multiple contacts to the "To:" field before you type anything.
The key difference from texting one person: everyone in the group can see what everyone else writes, and replies go to the whole group, not back to you alone. This works over regular text messaging (SMS) or over data through iMessage, depending on whether all members have iPhones and iMessage turned on.
Key Takeaways
- Open Messages, tap the pencil icon, add three or more names to the "To:" field, then type and send your first message to create the group.
- If everyone in the group has an iPhone with iMessage on, the group text uses iMessage and shows in blue; if anyone uses Android or has iMessage off, it falls back to regular SMS and shows in green.
- You can name the group by opening it, swiping up from the bottom, tapping the group name at the top, and selecting "Edit Name and Photo".
- Muting a group text stops notifications without leaving it; swipe left on the conversation and tap the speaker-with-slash icon.
- You cannot remove someone from a group text that uses regular SMS, only from iMessage groups.
The difference between iMessage groups and SMS groups
If all members of your group have iPhones with iMessage turned on, the group text runs over iMessage and appears in a blue bubble. iMessage groups let you name the conversation, add or remove people, and see when others are typing. You can also react to individual messages with emoji or send audio and video without them being compressed.
If even one person in the group has an Android phone or has iMessage turned off, the entire group falls back to regular SMS text messaging and appears in a green bubble. SMS groups do not let you name the conversation, remove people, or see typing indicators. Messages are smaller and slower, and video or photos get compressed. You are stuck with whoever was in the group when it started.
To check whether iMessage is on, go to Settings > Messages and look for the iMessage toggle at the top. If it is off, your group texts will be SMS only.
How to name a group text
Naming only works in iMessage groups (blue bubbles). Open the group conversation, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the details panel, then tap the group name at the top where it shows all the members' names. Tap "Edit Name and Photo" and type a name for the group.
If you try this in an SMS group (green bubble), you will not see the "Edit Name and Photo" option. The group will stay labeled with everyone's names instead.
How to add or remove people from a group
In an iMessage group, open the conversation, swipe up from the bottom, tap the group name at the top, then tap "Edit Name and Photo." Tap the plus icon to add someone new, or tap the minus icon next to a person's name to remove them. Tap "Done" when you are finished.
In an SMS group (green bubble), you cannot add or remove people. The group is locked to whoever received the first message. If you need to change the members, you have to start a new group text with the people you want.
How to mute notifications without leaving the group
If a group text is sending too many notifications, you can silence it without leaving the conversation. Swipe left on the group in your Messages list, tap the speaker-with-slash icon (or bell-with-slash, depending on your iOS version), and the group will stop sending notifications to your lock screen and notification center.
You will still see new messages when you open Messages, but you will not get a buzz or sound. To turn notifications back on, swipe left again and tap the speaker icon.
Why your group text might be green instead of blue
A green bubble means at least one person in the group does not have iMessage on or is using Android. Check with the group members: ask if anyone has an Android phone, or ask them to go to Settings > Messages and confirm iMessage is on. If someone has Android, the whole group will stay green and SMS-only.
If everyone says iMessage is on and they all have iPhones, try turning iMessage off and back on. Go to Settings > Messages, toggle iMessage off, wait 10 seconds, then toggle it back on. Sometimes the group will switch to blue after you do this.
What happens when you leave a group text
In an iMessage group, you can leave by opening the conversation, swiping up from the bottom, tapping the group name, scrolling down, and tapping "Leave This Conversation." You will no longer see messages from that group, and the group will be removed from your Messages list.
In an SMS group, there is no "Leave" option. The conversation stays in your Messages list, and you will keep receiving messages. Your only option is to mute it or delete the conversation thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group text to people who do not have iPhones?
Yes. The group will use regular SMS instead of iMessage, and it will appear in a green bubble. Everyone will still receive the message, but you lose features like naming the group, seeing typing indicators, and removing people.
Why does my group text keep switching between blue and green?
This usually happens when someone in the group turns iMessage off or on, or when their phone loses data connection. If it keeps happening, ask the group if anyone is having phone or network issues. You can also try turning iMessage off and back on yourself.
Can I see who read my message in a group text?
Only in iMessage groups. Open the conversation, swipe up from the bottom, tap the group name, and look for "Read Receipts" at the top. If it is on, you will see a small "Delivered" or "Read" label under each message. In SMS groups, you cannot see read receipts at all.
What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group text?
There is no hard limit, but iMessage groups work best with under 100 people. Very large groups can slow down message delivery and make the conversation hard to follow. For larger groups, consider using an app like GroupMe or WhatsApp instead.
If I delete a group text conversation, will the other people know?
No. Deleting the conversation on your phone only removes it from your Messages list. Everyone else will still see the group and can keep messaging in it. You will not receive new messages from that group unless someone texts you separately.