Group texting lets you send one message to multiple people at once

A group text works like a regular text message, except everyone in the conversation receives the same message and can reply so the whole group sees it. Instead of sending the same text five times to five different people, you create one group, add those people to it, and message them all together. How you set this up depends on whether you're using your phone's built-in messaging app or a third-party app like WhatsApp or iMessage.

The steps are straightforward and take less than a minute. You'll create a new message, add multiple contacts, type what you want to say, and send it. After that, anyone in the group can reply and everyone will see the conversation thread.

Key Takeaways

  • On Android phones, open your default messaging app, tap the compose button, and add multiple contacts before typing your message.
  • On iPhones, open Messages, tap the compose icon, and add contacts one at a time or paste multiple numbers into the "To" field.
  • Group texts work best when everyone has the same type of phone — mixed Android and iPhone groups sometimes split into separate conversations.
  • You can name your group, add or remove people later, and mute notifications if the conversation gets too active.
  • WhatsApp and other messaging apps offer group features that work the same way across all phone types.

How to start a group text on Android

Open your default messaging app — usually called Messages, SMS, or Texting depending on your phone brand. Look for a compose button, which is typically a pencil icon or a plus sign in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it to start a new message.

In the "To" field, start typing the first person's name or phone number. When their contact appears, tap it to add them. Repeat this for each person you want to include. You can add as many people as you want, though groups with more than 10 people sometimes become harder to manage. Once you've added everyone, tap the message field at the bottom, type your message, and tap send.

Some Android phones let you name the group before sending the first message. If you see a field that says "Group name" or "Subject," you can type a name like "Book Club" or "Weekend Plans" so everyone knows what the conversation is about. If you don't see this option, you can usually add a name later by opening the group conversation and tapping the group settings.

How to start a group text on iPhone

Open the Messages app and tap the compose icon, which looks like a pencil in a square in the top right corner. In the "To" field, start typing the first person's name. When their contact appears, tap it. Then tap in the "To" field again and add the next person. Repeat until everyone is added.

Alternatively, if you have multiple phone numbers or email addresses ready, you can paste them all into the "To" field at once, separated by commas or semicolons. Type your message in the text box at the bottom and tap the send arrow. After you send the first message, the group conversation will appear in your Messages list and you can tap it anytime to continue the conversation.

iPhones don't always show a group name field before you send the first message. Once the group conversation exists, you can name it by opening the conversation, tapping "Details" in the top right, and selecting "Edit Name and Photo." This step is optional — the group will work fine without a name.

Why mixed Android and iPhone groups sometimes split

If your group includes both Android and iPhone users, the conversation might split into two separate threads — one for iPhones (using iMessage) and one for Android phones (using standard text messages). This happens because iMessage is Apple's proprietary system and doesn't work on Android devices. When an iPhone user sends a message, it goes through iMessage to other iPhones but switches to regular SMS for Android phones, which can create confusion.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to use a third-party app like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram instead. These apps work the same way on all phones and keep everyone in one unified conversation. If you want to stick with your phone's built-in messaging app, just be aware that replies might come through in two separate places.

How to add or remove people from an existing group

Open the group conversation you want to change. On Android, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top and look for an option like "Group Details," "Manage Members," or "Edit Group." On iPhone, tap "Details" in the top right corner. From there, you'll see a list of everyone in the group.

To add someone new, look for a button that says "Add Member," "Add Contact," or a plus icon. Tap it and select the person you want to add. To remove someone, find their name in the list, tap it, and select "Remove" or "Delete." The group will continue without them, and they won't receive future messages. Everyone still in the group will see that someone was added or removed.

How to mute or customize group notifications

If a group text becomes very active and you're getting too many notifications, you can silence it without leaving the conversation. Open the group, then on Android tap the three-dot menu and look for "Mute Notifications" or "Sound Settings." On iPhone, swipe left on the group in your Messages list and tap the bell icon to mute it, or open the group, tap "Details," and toggle "Hide Alerts" on.

When you mute a group, new messages will still arrive and you can read them anytime, but you won't get a sound or vibration for each one. You can unmute it the same way if you want notifications back. Some phones also let you customize the notification sound or vibration pattern just for that group, so you can tell it apart from other conversations.

Using WhatsApp or other apps for group messaging

If you want more control over group settings or want to avoid the Android-iPhone split, download WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, or a similar app. These work on all phone types and offer features like group photos, pinned messages, and the ability to see when people are typing.

To create a group in WhatsApp, open the app, tap the compose icon, and select "New Group." Add contacts one by one, give the group a name and optional photo, and tap "Create." You can then send a message to the whole group. The process is nearly identical in other messaging apps — look for a "New Group" or "Create Group" button in the main menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a group text to people who don't have my contact saved?

Yes. You can add anyone by their phone number, whether they have you saved or not. They'll receive the message and can reply. If they don't have you saved, your number will appear instead of your name in their conversation.

What's the difference between a group text and a group chat?

A group text uses your phone's standard messaging system and counts toward your text message limit if you have one. A group chat in apps like WhatsApp or iMessage uses data or Wi-Fi instead. Group chats usually offer more features like read receipts and typing indicators.

Can I leave a group text without everyone knowing?

On most phones, when you leave a group, everyone in the conversation gets a notification that you've left. Some apps let you mute a group instead, which hides notifications but keeps you in the conversation. Check your app's settings to see what options are available.

Why did my group text turn into individual messages?

This usually happens when one person in the group is using an older phone or a different messaging system. Some phones can't handle group texts properly and will split the conversation. Switching to WhatsApp or another third-party app will keep everyone together.

Can I send a group text to more than 100 people?

Your phone's messaging app might allow it, but most carriers and phones work best with groups under 50 people. For very large groups, a mailing list app or group messaging service designed for bulk communication works better than standard group texts.