The simplest way to text multiple people at once
A group text on an iPhone is a single message you send to several people in one action, rather than typing the same thing into separate conversations. When you create a group text, everyone in the group sees all the replies — so if one person responds, the whole group sees it. This is different from sending the same message to each person individually, where each conversation stays separate.
The fastest way to start a group text is through the Messages app, which comes built into every iPhone. You do not need to read anything or set up an account. The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Open Messages, tap the pencil icon to start a new message, and type or select the names of everyone you want to include before typing your message.
- Everyone in the group sees all replies, so group texts work best for coordinating with people who know each other.
- You can add or remove people from a group text after you send the first message by opening the conversation and tapping the group name at the top.
- If you want to text the same message to people separately so they cannot see each other's replies, send individual messages instead of a group text.
Starting a new group text from scratch
Open the Messages app on your home screen — it has a green icon with a white speech bubble. Tap the pencil-and-paper icon in the top right corner. This opens a blank message window.
In the "To:" field at the top, start typing the first person's name. As you type, your contacts appear below. Tap the name when you see it. That person's name now appears as a blue bubble in the "To:" field. Type the next person's name and repeat. Add as many people as you need — there is no limit, though group texts with more than 10 or 15 people can get hard to follow.
Once everyone is added, tap in the message box at the bottom and type what you want to say. Tap the blue send arrow. Your message goes to everyone at once, and their replies will come back to the same conversation so you can all see them.
Adding people to an existing group text
Open the group conversation you want to add someone to. Tap the group name or the row of profile pictures at the very top of the screen. A details panel slides up from the bottom showing everyone in the group.
Scroll down and tap "Add Contact." Type the name of the person you want to add, tap their name when it appears, and tap "Done." That person is now part of the group and will see all future messages. They will not see messages sent before you added them.
Removing someone from a group text
Open the group conversation and tap the group name or pictures at the top. In the details panel, find the person you want to remove and swipe left on their name. A red "Remove" button appears — tap it. That person is removed from the group and will not receive any more messages in that conversation.
You can only remove people from group texts you started. If someone else created the group, you cannot remove other members, but you can remove yourself by swiping left on your own name and tapping "Leave This Conversation."
Naming your group text so people know what it is about
Open the group conversation and tap the group name at the top. In the details panel, tap "Enter a Group Name" and type what you want to call it — for example, "Soccer Team" or "Weekend Plans." Tap "Done." Everyone in the group will now see that name at the top of the conversation instead of a list of names.
Naming a group is optional, but it helps people understand what the conversation is for, especially if they are in multiple group texts. You can change the name anytime by tapping it again and typing something new.
When to use group texts instead of individual messages
Group texts work best when everyone in the group knows each other and the conversation is something they all care about — planning an event, coordinating a project, or sharing news with close friends. Everyone sees what everyone else says, so it keeps people on the same page.
If you want to send the same message to people separately so they cannot see each other's replies, send individual messages instead. Open Messages, tap the pencil icon, type one person's name, send your message, go back, and repeat for each person. This takes longer but keeps each conversation private.
Troubleshooting group texts that are not working
If your group text is not sending, first check that everyone's phone number or contact information is correct. Tap the group name at the top and look at the list of people. If someone's name is red or has a warning icon, their contact information may be incomplete.
If the group text keeps failing to send, try turning off iMessage for that conversation. Open the group, tap the group name, scroll down, and toggle off "iMessage." Send the message again — it will go as a regular text instead. If it works, iMessage may have been the problem. You can turn iMessage back on later.
If one person is not receiving messages, ask them to check their Messages settings. They should go to Settings > Messages and make sure "iMessage" is turned on. If they are using an Android phone, they can still receive group texts, but the conversation will not look quite the same on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a group text to people who have Android phones?
Yes. Android users will receive your group text as a regular text message. They can reply and their replies will come back to the group, but the conversation may not look exactly the same on their phone. Some Android phones show group texts differently than iPhones do.
What is the difference between a group text and a group chat?
On an iPhone, they are the same thing — both use the Messages app. The term "group chat" is sometimes used for conversations in other apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, which work differently and have their own features.
If I leave a group text, can I rejoin it later?
No. Once you leave a group text, you cannot rejoin on your own. Someone else in the group would have to add you back by opening the conversation and tapping "Add Contact" to include you again.
Do group texts cost extra money?
No. Group texts use the same text message allowance as individual texts. If you have unlimited texting, group texts are included. If you pay per message, each message in a group text counts as one message, not one per person.
Can I mute notifications from a group text without leaving it?
Yes. Open the group conversation, swipe left on it from the conversation list, and tap the speaker icon with a line through it. You will stay in the group and see all messages, but you will not get notifications when new messages arrive.