Creating a WhatsApp group takes about two minutes and works the same way on iPhone and Android

A WhatsApp group is a chat where multiple people can message each other at the same time, instead of sending individual messages back and forth. When you create a group, you pick who joins, give it a name, and can add a photo. Everyone in the group sees the same conversation thread, and notifications tell them when new messages arrive.

The steps are nearly identical whether you use WhatsApp on your phone or on your computer. You need to have WhatsApp installed and an active account — which means you've already verified your phone number with WhatsApp at some point. If you haven't done that yet, open WhatsApp, enter your phone number, and confirm the code they text you.

Key Takeaways

  • Open WhatsApp, tap the menu icon (three dots or lines depending on your phone), and select "New Group" to start.
  • Search for and select the people you want in the group, then tap Next to move to the naming step.
  • Give your group a name that everyone will see, and optionally add a group photo or description.
  • Once you create the group, you become the admin and can remove people, change the group name, or delete the group entirely.
  • Everyone you add receives a notification that they've been added to the group and can start messaging when ready.

Step-by-step: Creating the group on your phone

Open WhatsApp and look for the menu icon at the top of your screen. On Android phones, this is usually three vertical dots. On iPhones, it's often three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu). Tap it and look for an option that says "New Group" or "Create Group".

Tap "New Group". WhatsApp will show you a list of your contacts. Scroll through and tap the name of each person you want to add. A checkmark appears next to their name when they're selected. You can add as few as two people (you plus one other person) or many more — WhatsApp groups can hold up to 256 members, though groups with more than 50 people often become harder to follow.

Once you've selected everyone, tap the "Next" button at the bottom. WhatsApp will ask you to name the group. Type a name that makes sense to everyone in it — for example, "Book Club 2024" or "Family Updates" or "Work Project Team". This name appears at the top of the chat for all members.

Adding a photo and description (optional)

After you name the group, WhatsApp gives you the option to add a group photo and a description. The photo appears as a small icon next to the group name in your chat list, so people can recognize the group at a glance. You can use a photo from your phone's camera roll, take a new photo, or skip this step entirely.

The description is a line or two of text that explains what the group is for — for example, "Planning the office holiday party" or "Coordinating the neighborhood book swap". Members can see this description by tapping the group name at the top of the chat. It's useful for groups where people might forget the purpose, but it's not required.

What happens after you create the group

Once you tap "Create" or "Done", the group appears in your chat list and everyone you added gets a notification that they've been added to the group. They don't have to accept or confirm — they're automatically in. The group chat opens and you can start messaging right away.

You become the group admin automatically. This means you can remove people from the group, change the group name or photo, delete the group, and control some settings like whether members can change the group photo or add new people. Other members can leave the group on their own by tapping the group name and selecting "Leave Group".

Creating a group on WhatsApp Web or Desktop

If you're using WhatsApp on your computer, the steps are similar. Open WhatsApp Web (web.whatsapp.com) or the WhatsApp Desktop app, and look for a "+" icon or a menu button. Click "New Group" and select contacts from the list that appears. You'll type the group name and can add a photo the same way you would on your phone.

WhatsApp Web requires your phone to be connected to the internet and unlocked while you're using it — it's a mirror of your phone's WhatsApp, not a separate account. If your phone loses internet connection or you lock it, WhatsApp Web will disconnect.

Common things people get wrong about groups

People sometimes think that creating a group sends a message to everyone announcing it. It doesn't — WhatsApp just notifies them they've been added. The first actual message in the group is whatever you type first.

Another common confusion: people think they need permission from others before adding them to a group. You don't. As the creator, you can add anyone in your contacts without asking first. However, they can leave the group when ready if they want to, and in some countries, WhatsApp has added features that let group members control whether strangers can add them to groups.

Finally, some people believe that deleting a group chat from their phone deletes it for everyone. It doesn't. Deleting a group from your chat list only removes it from your view. The group still exists for other members, and they can still message in it. To actually delete a group so no one can use it anymore, you have to remove all members and then leave yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a group without their permission?

Yes. As the group creator, you can add anyone in your contacts to a group without asking them first. They'll receive a notification that they've been added and can see all previous messages in the group. If they don't want to be in the group, they can leave by tapping the group name and selecting "Leave Group".

What's the difference between a group and a broadcast list?

A group is a two-way conversation where everyone sees everyone else's messages. A broadcast list is one-way — you send a message to multiple people, but they don't see each other's replies. Broadcast lists are better for announcements; groups are better for actual conversations. You create a broadcast list the same way you create a group, but you select "New Broadcast List" instead of "New Group".

Can I change the group name or remove people after I create it?

Yes. As the admin, tap the group name at the top of the chat to open group settings. You can change the name, photo, and description, and you can remove any member by tapping their name and selecting "Remove from Group". If you remove everyone and then leave yourself, the group is deleted.

What happens if I leave a group?

You stop receiving messages from that group, and the group disappears from your chat list. The group continues to exist for other members. If you were the admin, another member becomes the admin automatically. You can rejoin the group later if someone adds you back.

Is there a limit to how many people can be in a group?

WhatsApp groups can have up to 256 members. However, groups with more than 50 people often become difficult to follow because messages come in quickly and it's hard to keep track of conversations. For very large announcements, a broadcast list works better.