Creating a group chat takes three steps: open a conversation, tap the group icon, and add the people you want

A Snapchat group is a chat where multiple people can message, share snaps, and call together in one thread. You create one by starting a new chat, selecting the group option, and adding friends. The person who creates the group becomes the admin and can remove members or change the group name later.

Groups stay active as long as at least one person is in them. You can add up to 31 people total (including yourself), though most groups work better with fewer members. Unlike a broadcast or a public story, a group chat is private — only the people you add can see the messages.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap the compose icon (pencil), and select "New Group" to start a group chat from scratch.
  • Add friends by tapping their name or searching for them, then tap "Create" once you have selected everyone.
  • The group creator is the admin and can remove members, change the group name, or delete the entire group.
  • You can add up to 31 people to a group, but groups with 5 to 10 members tend to stay active longer.

Step-by-step: creating a new group

Start by opening Snapchat and tapping the compose icon — it looks like a pencil in a square, usually in the top-left corner of the camera screen. This opens the chat creation menu.

Tap "New Group" from the menu options. Snapchat will then show you a list of your friends. You can scroll through and tap each person's name to add them, or use the search bar at the top to find someone by username. A checkmark appears next to each person you select.

Once you have selected everyone you want in the group, tap the "Create" button at the bottom. Snapchat will ask you to name the group. Type a name that makes sense for what the group is for — "Road Trip 2024" or "Work Lunch Plans" — then confirm. The group chat opens immediately, and you can start messaging.

Adding people after the group is created

You do not have to add everyone at once. If you create a group and then realize you forgot someone, you can add them later. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and select "Add Friends." Search for or tap the person's name, then confirm.

Only the group admin (the person who created it) can add or remove members. If you are not the admin and want someone removed, you have to ask the admin to do it. There is no way to leave a group and rejoin it on your own — once you leave, the admin has to add you back.

Changing the group name or removing members

If you created the group, you have admin control. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and you will see options to edit the name, add friends, or remove members. Tap "Edit Group" to change the name to something new.

To remove someone, tap their name in the member list and select "Remove from Group." They will no longer see the chat or receive messages. If you remove someone by mistake, you can add them back using the "Add Friends" option.

If you want to delete the entire group, tap the group name, scroll down, and select "Delete Group." This removes the chat for everyone in it. You cannot undo this action, so make sure before you confirm.

What happens when someone leaves or gets removed

If a member leaves the group on their own, they stop receiving messages but the group stays active for everyone else. The admin can add them back if they change their mind. If the admin removes someone, they see a notification that they were removed and cannot rejoin unless invited again.

If the group creator (the original admin) deletes their Snapchat account, the group does not automatically disappear. Another member can take over as admin, or the group can stay active with its remaining members. However, if everyone leaves or gets removed, the group chat closes.

Group chat features you can use

In a group chat, you can send text messages, snaps, voice messages, and photos just like in a one-on-one chat. You can also start a group voice or video call by tapping the phone or video icon at the top of the chat. All members in the group can join the call at the same time.

Snapchat also lets you react to messages in a group — tap and hold a message to add an emoji reaction. You can pin important messages to the top of the chat so everyone sees them. These features work the same way in groups as they do in regular chats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a group with someone who is not my friend on Snapchat?

No. You can only add people who are already your Snapchat friends to a group. If you want to include someone, you have to send them a friend request first and wait for them to accept. Once they are your friend, you can add them to a group.

What is the difference between a group chat and a group story?

A group chat is a private conversation where members send messages back and forth. A group story is a shared story that members can add snaps to, and everyone in the group can see all the snaps posted. Group chats are for talking; group stories are for sharing moments.

Can I see who read my message in a group chat?

Snapchat does not show read receipts in group chats the way it does in one-on-one chats. You can see when someone sends a message, but not whether they have opened or read it. This is different from direct messages, where you can see if someone has opened your snap.

What happens if I mute a group chat?

Muting a group silences notifications so you do not get alerts for new messages, but you can still see the chat and read messages when you open it. The group stays in your chat list. You can unmute it anytime by tapping the group name and toggling notifications back on.

Can I make a group with just two people?

Technically yes, but Snapchat treats a two-person chat as a direct message, not a group. If you want a true group chat, you need at least three people. A two-person "group" works the same way as a regular one-on-one chat.