Creating a WhatsApp group takes three steps: open WhatsApp, tap the menu to start a new group, and add the people you want
A WhatsApp group lets multiple people message together in one conversation instead of sending individual messages back and forth. You create the group yourself, choose who joins, and you become the group admin — meaning you can add or remove people and change the group name and photo.
The process is the same whether you use iPhone or Android. You do not need the other people to do anything first — you create the group, add them, and they receive a notification that they have been added.
Key Takeaways
- Open WhatsApp, tap the menu icon (three dots on Android, or the compose icon on iPhone), and select "New group" to start.
- Search for and tap each person's name to add them — you can add up to 1,024 people, though groups work best with fewer than 50.
- Give your group a name and optional photo before tapping "Create" to finish.
- You are the group admin by default and can remove people, change the group name, or delete the group at any time.
- People you add see a notification that you created a group and added them — they cannot decline or opt out of being added.
How to create a group on Android
Open WhatsApp and look at the top of the screen. Tap the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the upper right corner. A dropdown menu appears with several options.
Tap "New group" from that menu. WhatsApp opens a screen that says "Add group members" at the top. Below that is a search box and a list of your contacts.
Tap each person you want to add. Their name gets a checkmark next to it. You can add as many people as you want — WhatsApp allows up to 1,024 members in a single group. After you have selected everyone, tap the green arrow or "Next" button at the bottom right.
A new screen appears asking you to name the group. Type a name in the text box — something like "Book Club" or "Family Updates". Below the name field, you can tap a camera icon to add a group photo, though this is optional. When you are done, tap "Create" to finish.
How to create a group on iPhone
Open WhatsApp and look at the bottom of the screen. Tap the "Chats" tab if you are not already there. In the upper left corner, tap the compose icon (it looks like a pencil or message bubble). A menu appears with options.
Tap "New Group" from that menu. WhatsApp opens a screen showing your contacts. Tap each person you want to add — their name gets a checkmark. You can add up to 1,024 people. When you have selected everyone, tap "Next" in the upper right corner.
Type a name for the group in the text box that appears. You can also tap "Add Subject Photo" to upload a photo for the group, though this is optional. Tap "Create" when you are finished.
What happens after you create the group
The group appears in your chat list immediately. Everyone you added receives a notification that says you created a group and added them as a member. They do not have to accept or confirm — they are in the group right away and can start reading and sending messages.
You are the group admin. This means you can change the group name or photo at any time, remove people from the group, or delete the entire group. To do any of these, open the group, tap the group name at the top, and look for options to edit settings or manage members.
Adding people after the group is created
You do not have to add everyone at the moment you create the group. Open the group, tap the group name at the top, and scroll down to find "Add participants" or "Add members". Tap it and select the people you want to add the same way you did when creating the group.
People you add later also receive a notification. They can see all the messages that were sent before they joined, so they will have the full conversation history.
Removing people or leaving a group
If you need to remove someone from the group, open the group, tap the group name at the top, and look for the members list. Find the person you want to remove, tap their name, and select "Remove from group". They will no longer see new messages in that group.
If you want to leave a group yourself, open the group, tap the group name, scroll down, and tap "Exit group" or "Leave group". You will no longer receive messages from that group, and the other members will see a notification that you left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group with just two people?
Yes, but WhatsApp is designed for groups of three or more. If you only want to message one person, a regular one-on-one chat works better and takes up less space on your phone.
What is the maximum number of people I can add to a group?
WhatsApp allows up to 1,024 members in a single group. However, groups with more than 50 people often become hard to manage because messages come in very quickly and it is difficult to follow the conversation.
Do people have to accept an invitation to join the group?
No. When you add someone to a group, they are added immediately and receive a notification. They cannot decline or opt out of being added, though they can leave the group themselves at any time.
Can I change the group name or photo after I create it?
Yes. Open the group, tap the group name at the top, and look for an edit option. You can change the name, photo, or description whenever you want. Everyone in the group sees the updated information.
What happens if I delete a group?
The group disappears from your chat list, and you no longer receive messages from it. Other members can still see and use the group — deleting it only removes it from your own phone. If you want to remove everyone, remove each person individually before deleting the group.