Creating a group chat takes three steps: open WhatsApp, tap the menu to start a new group, and add the people you want
A group chat in WhatsApp is a conversation with more than two people. Everyone in the group sees the same messages, and anyone can send a message that all members read at once. You create one by opening WhatsApp, selecting the option to start a new group, choosing which contacts to include, and giving the group a name. The whole process takes about a minute.
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use WhatsApp on an iPhone or Android phone, but the idea is the same on both. You can add up to 256 people to a single group, though groups with more than 20 or 30 people often become hard to follow because messages come in too fast.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, tap the compose icon in the top right of the Chats screen, then select "New Group" and add contacts one by one.
- On Android, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, select "New group", and add contacts the same way.
- You must give the group a name before you can send the first message.
- You can add a group photo, change who can send messages, and control who can edit the group name and description after creation.
How to create a group on iPhone
Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab. In the top right corner, tap the compose icon — it looks like a pencil in a square. A menu appears with two options: "New Chat" and "New Group". Tap "New Group".
A screen appears asking you to add members. Tap each contact you want to include. A checkmark appears next to their name when they are selected. You can search for a contact by typing their name in the search box at the top. Once you have selected everyone, tap "Create" in the top right.
WhatsApp then asks you to name the group. Type a name — something like "Book Club" or "Work Project" — and tap "Create" again. The group chat opens and is ready to use. You can now send messages, and everyone you added will see them.
How to create a group on Android
Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. A dropdown menu appears. Select "New group".
A screen appears asking you to add members. Tap each contact you want to include. A checkmark appears next to their name when they are selected. You can search for a contact by typing their name in the search box. Once you have selected everyone, tap the arrow or next button in the top right.
WhatsApp then asks you to name the group. Type a name and tap "Create". The group chat opens and is ready to use.
Adding a group photo and setting permissions
After you create the group, you can add a photo that represents it. In the group chat, tap the group name at the top. A screen opens showing the group details. Tap "Group photo" or the camera icon and choose a photo from your phone. This photo appears next to the group name in your chat list.
On the same screen, you can control who is allowed to send messages and who can change the group name or description. Tap "Edit group info" or the settings icon. You can set the group so that only you or the group admins can send messages — useful if you are using the group to broadcast information rather than have a conversation. You can also choose who can edit the group name and description, which prevents members from changing these details without permission.
Adding people after the group is created
You do not have to add everyone when you first create the group. You can add more people later. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and look for an "Add members" or "Add participant" option. Tap it and select the contacts you want to add. They will see the group in their chat list and can read all messages sent after they join.
People you add after the group starts will not see messages that were sent before they joined. If you want them to see earlier messages, you can take a screenshot and send it to them separately, or copy and paste the conversation into a message.
Removing people and leaving a group
If you created the group, you can remove members. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and find the list of members. Tap and hold on a member's name, then select "Remove". They will no longer be part of the group and will not see new messages.
Anyone in the group can leave at any time. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Exit group" or "Leave group". You will no longer receive messages from that group, and your name will disappear from the member list. The group continues without you.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you cannot find the "New Group" option, make sure you are on the Chats tab, not the Calls or Status tabs. The option only appears on the Chats tab. If the button is grayed out or does not respond, try closing WhatsApp completely and opening it again.
If you add a contact but they do not appear in the group, they may not have WhatsApp installed or may have blocked you. You can only add people who have WhatsApp accounts. If someone says they did not receive the group invitation, ask them to check their Chats tab — sometimes the group appears there without a notification.
If you cannot add more than a few people, you may have reached WhatsApp's limit for that contact. This is rare, but if it happens, try creating a second group instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group with just two people?
No. WhatsApp treats a conversation between two people as a regular one-on-one chat, not a group. If you add a third person, it becomes a group. If you remove everyone except one other person from a group, WhatsApp converts it back to a regular chat.
What happens if I delete a group chat?
Deleting the chat on your phone removes it from your chat list, but the group itself continues. Other members can still message in it, and you can rejoin by asking someone to add you back. If you want to permanently close the group, you must remove all members and then leave.
Can I send a message to a group without adding them as contacts?
No. You can only add people to a WhatsApp group if they are already saved in your phone's contacts. If you want to add someone, you must save their phone number as a contact first, then add them to the group.
Do group members see my phone number?
Yes. Everyone in a WhatsApp group can see your phone number and your profile photo. If you want to keep your number private, do not join the group or adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your profile information.