Open a new chat and add multiple people at once
To start a group in Snapchat, open the app and tap the chat icon at the bottom left of your screen. Then tap the compose icon (the pencil and paper symbol) in the top right corner. This opens a new message window where you can add people.
Type or search for the names of the people you want in your group. Snapchat will show you matching contacts as you type. Tap each person's name to add them — you can add as many as you want in one go. Once you have selected everyone, tap "Create" or the send button to start the group chat.
The group chat appears in your chat list with all the members' names shown. Everyone in the group can see that they have been added and can start sending messages right away.
Key Takeaways
- Create a group by opening the chat tab, tapping the compose icon, and selecting multiple people from your contacts.
- You can add or remove people from an existing group at any time by opening the group and tapping the group name at the top.
- Group chats work the same as one-on-one chats — you can send text, photos, videos, and voice messages to everyone at once.
- The person who starts the group does not have special admin powers; any member can add or remove other members.
- Leaving a group removes you from the chat, but the group continues without you and other members can still message each other.
Add or remove people from a group that already exists
If you want to add someone to a group chat that is already running, open the group and tap the group name at the very top of the screen. This opens the group settings. Tap "Add Friends" and search for the person you want to add, then tap their name to confirm.
To remove someone, open the group settings the same way and look for the list of members. Tap and hold on the person's name you want to remove, then tap "Remove" when the menu appears. That person will no longer see new messages in the group, but they can still see the chat history from before they were removed.
You can add or remove people as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many people you can have in a single group, though very large groups can become hard to follow.
Send different types of messages in your group
Group chats in Snapchat work just like regular one-on-one chats. You can type text messages, send photos or videos from your camera roll, or record a video or voice message right in the chat. Tap the camera icon to record a snap, or tap the microphone icon to send a voice message.
When you send a snap (a photo or video you take in the moment) to a group, each person can view it once, and it disappears after they have seen it. Text messages stay in the chat history unless you delete them. This is different from sending a snap through your story, where it stays visible for 24 hours.
You can also react to messages by tapping and holding on someone else's message and choosing an emoji reaction. This lets you respond without typing a full reply.
Leave a group or mute notifications
If you want to stop being part of a group, open the group chat and tap the group name at the top. Scroll down and tap "Leave Chat." You will be removed from the group and will not receive any more messages from it. The other members will see that you have left.
If you want to stay in the group but do not want to see notifications every time someone sends a message, you can mute the chat instead. Open the group, tap the group name, and toggle on "Mute Notifications." You can still read messages when you open the app, but you will not get alerts on your phone.
Leaving a group is permanent for you — if you want to rejoin later, someone else will have to add you back. Muting is temporary and you can turn notifications back on at any time.
Understand what happens when you change the group name or picture
You can change the name of a group chat to make it easier to identify. Open the group, tap the group name at the top, and tap "Change Group Name." Type the new name and tap save. Everyone in the group will see the new name.
You can also add a group picture. Tap the group name, then tap the group icon (the circle with the members' faces), and choose a photo from your camera roll or take a new one. This picture appears next to the group name in your chat list, making it easier to spot.
Any member of the group can change the name or picture — there is no owner or admin role. This means anyone can make these changes without asking permission first.
Troubleshoot common group chat problems
If someone is not receiving messages in a group, ask them to check that they have the latest version of Snapchat installed. Outdated versions sometimes have trouble with group chats. They can also try closing the app completely and opening it again.
If a group chat is not showing up in your chat list, swipe down from the top of the chat screen to refresh the list. If it still does not appear, the group may have been deleted or you may have been removed by another member.
If you cannot add someone to a group, they may have blocked you, or you may not have them in your contacts yet. Try adding them as a friend first, then add them to the group. If you are still having trouble, restart the app and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a group with just two people?
Yes, but Snapchat treats it as a regular one-on-one chat until you add a third person. Once you have three or more people, it becomes a formal group and shows the group name and member list at the top of the chat.
What happens to the group chat if I delete Snapchat and reinstall it?
The group will still exist and you will still be a member. When you log back in with your account, the group will appear in your chat list. You will not see messages that were sent while you were not logged in, but the group itself remains active.
Can I see who has read my message in a group chat?
Snapchat does not show read receipts in group chats the way some other apps do. You cannot tell if someone has seen your message or not. Text messages stay in the chat, but there is no indicator showing who has read them.
Is there a limit to how many people I can add to a group?
Snapchat does not have a published limit on group size. Very large groups can become slow or hard to follow, but technically you can keep adding people. Most groups work best with between 3 and 20 members.
Can I schedule a message to send later in a group chat?
No, Snapchat does not have a scheduled message feature for groups or one-on-one chats. Messages send immediately when you tap send. You have to type and send messages in real time.