What a group text is and how to start one
A group text is a single conversation where you send one message to multiple people at once, and everyone in the group sees all the replies. On iPhone, you create one by opening the Messages app, tapping the pencil icon to start a new message, and adding more than one person's name or phone number before you type anything. Once you send that first message, the group is created — there is no separate "create group" step.
The difference between a group text and texting people individually is that in a group, everyone knows who else is in the conversation and can see what everyone else writes. When you text people one at a time, each person only sees your messages and their own replies, not the other conversations happening in parallel.
Key Takeaways
- Open Messages, tap the pencil icon, and add multiple contacts before sending your first message to create a group text.
- You can name the group by tapping the group name at the top of the conversation after the first message is sent.
- Anyone in the group can add or remove people, change the group name, or turn off notifications for that conversation.
- Group texts work over regular text messaging (SMS) or iMessage depending on whether all members have iPhones or a mix of devices.
Step-by-step: Creating your first group text
Open the Messages app on your home screen. Tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top-right corner to start a new message. A blank conversation window opens with a text field that says "To:".
Type the first person's name or phone number into the "To:" field. As you type, your contacts appear below — tap the person you want to add. Their name or number now shows in the field. Type a comma or space and add the next person the same way. Keep adding people until your group is complete. You can add as many people as you want, though groups with more than 20 people sometimes slow down on older iPhones.
Once everyone is added, tap in the message field at the bottom and type your message. Tap the send button (the arrow). The group text is now created, and everyone will see your message and each other's replies in the same conversation thread.
How to name your group text
When you first create a group, iPhone does not automatically give it a name — it just shows the names or numbers of everyone in it. If you want to give the group a custom name like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans", tap the group name at the very top of the conversation (where it shows all the member names).
A panel slides up from the bottom showing the group members and a text field labeled "Group Name". Tap that field and type the name you want. Tap "Done" in the top-right corner. The group name now appears at the top of the conversation for everyone in the group.
If you change your mind later, you can change the group name the same way — tap the name at the top, edit the text field, and tap Done. Any member of the group can rename it, so do not be surprised if someone else changes it.
Adding or removing people from an existing group
To add someone to a group text that already exists, tap the group name at the top of the conversation. The member panel opens. Tap "Add Contact" (the plus sign in a circle), then search for and tap the person you want to add. They are now part of the group and will see all future messages, but not the old conversation history before they joined.
To remove someone, open that same panel, swipe left on their name, and tap "Remove". They will no longer receive messages from the group, and the group will no longer see their replies. If you remove yourself from a group, you stop receiving messages but the group continues without you.
Group texts over iMessage versus regular text messaging
If everyone in your group has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the group text uses iMessage — Apple's messaging system. iMessage group texts show a blue bubble, let you send photos and videos without losing quality, and include features like reactions (thumbs up, heart, etc.) and read receipts that show when people have seen your message.
If even one person in the group has an Android phone or a non-Apple device, the entire group text switches to regular SMS text messaging (also called MMS for group messages). These show in green bubbles, do not include read receipts or reactions, and large photos or videos may be compressed. You cannot change this — it happens automatically based on who is in the group.
Muting notifications and managing group text settings
Group texts can send a lot of notifications if people are messaging frequently. To silence them without leaving the group, swipe left on the group conversation in your Messages list and tap the speaker-with-a-slash icon (mute). You will still receive messages, but your phone will not buzz or chime for that group.
You can also customize how notifications work for a specific group. Tap the group name at the top, then tap "Info" (the "i" in a circle). Scroll down to "Notifications" and choose whether you want sounds, badges (the red number on the Messages app), or neither. These settings only affect your phone — other people in the group will still get their normal notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group text with just two people?
Technically yes, but iPhone treats a two-person conversation as a regular one-on-one text unless you specifically name it. Once you add a name, it becomes a group text. Most people just use regular texts for two people since there is no practical difference.
What happens if someone leaves the group?
If a member removes themselves, they stop receiving messages and cannot send to the group anymore. The group continues for everyone else. If you are the one who created it, you cannot "delete" the group — it exists as long as at least one person keeps the conversation in their Messages app.
Can I send a group text to people who do not have my contact saved?
Yes. You can type phone numbers directly into the "To:" field instead of selecting from your contacts. The group will work the same way, though the other members will see the phone number instead of a saved name if they do not have that person in their contacts.
Why did my group text turn green?
A green bubble means at least one member of the group has a non-iPhone device, so the entire group switched to regular SMS messaging. This happens automatically and you cannot force it back to iMessage unless that person leaves the group or switches to an iPhone.
Can I schedule a group text to send later?
Not natively on iPhone — you have to send the message right away. Some third-party apps offer scheduling, but the built-in Messages app does not have this feature.