How to Create a Group Chat on an iPhone (iOS 17)

Are you wondering how to create a group text on iPhone? You can create a group chat on your iPhone to stay in contact with multiple people simultaneously, and even add Android users to an iPhone group chat. Let's learn how to make a group chat on iPhone using the Messages app.

Jump To:

• How to Enable Group Messaging
• How to Create a Group Text on iPhone
• How to Add People to a Group Chat
• How to Remove Someone from a Group Chat
• How to Leave an iPhone Group Chat
• How to Add Android to iMessage Group Chat

How to Create a Group Chat on an iPhone & iPad

Here's how to make a group chat on an iPhone, how to add an Android to an iMessage group chat, how to add people to a group chat, how to remove someone from a group chat, and how to leave a group chat on an iPhone. To learn more about using the Messages app on the iPhone, sign up for our free Tip of the Day.

How to Enable Group Messaging

Before you can create group messages, you must learn how to enable group messaging on the iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app.
   
   
2. Tap Messages.
   
   
3. Group Messaging is automatically turned on from iOS 17 on, so make sure Send as SMS and MMS Messaging are toggled on so that group messages will work for Android and iPhone.
   
   

Now that this is enabled, you can learn how to create a group text on your iPhone!

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How to Create a Group Text on iPhone

With your Settings in order, you are ready to learn how to create a group text on an iPhone:

1. Open the Messages app.
   
   
2. Tap the compose icon in the upper-right corner.
   
   
3. Enter the names of the contacts you want to add to the group chat, or you can tap the Add icon to look for them in your Contacts list.
   
   
4. Type your group text message and tap the Send icon.  
   
   

You've learned how to make a group chat in the Messages app, and you are ready to chat!

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How to Add People to a Group Text

Once you have created an iMessage group chat, you need to know how to add someone to a group text on iPhone. This is only possible if everyone in the group is an iPhone user. Group chats with Android users are possible, but they have limited features.

1. Open the group message chat and tap the group info at the top.
   
   
2. Tap the number of people to view and add contacts.
   
   
3. Select Add Contact.
   
   
4. Type the person's name or tap the plus icon and select from your Contacts list.
   
   
5. Tap Done.
   
   

Now you know how to make a group on Messages and add new contacts!

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How to Remove Someone from a Group Chat

It is only possible to remove someone from a group text if there are at least three other people in the group text besides yourself. If everyone in the group text is an iMessages user, anyone in the group can add or remove contacts.

Here's how to remove someone from a group chat after your first message has been sent:

1. Open the group message chat and tap the group info at the top.
   
   
2. Tap the number of people to view group members.
   
   
3. Swipe left on the person’s name. 
   
   
4. Tap Remove.
   
   
5. Then, tap Remove again to confirm.
   
   

Knowing how to remove someone from a group text is helpful when learning how to make a group text on the iPhone and managing it.

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How to Leave a Group Chat on an iPhone

It is only possible to leave a group text if there are at least three other people in the group text besides yourself. Here's how to leave a group message on your iPhone:

1. Open the group message chat and tap the group info at the top.
   
   
2. Tap Leave this Conversation at the bottom of your screen.
   
   
3. Tap Leave this Conversation again to confirm.
   
   

Once you leave a group chat, you cannot re-add yourself, but another member can add you again. If you are only chatting with two other people, no one can leave the conversation. If you delete the conversation, the other members can still message, and you will still receive the notifications. 

Here's how to mute a group text to stop receiving notifications. In extreme circumstances, you can also block the other members. However, they will not be able to contact you via individual message or call if you do so.

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How to Add Android to iMessage Group Chat

A lot of people want to know how to add an Android to an iMessage group chat. You still can't do this, even with iOS 17. When chatting within a group text with an Android user, SMS/MMS's function is SMS/MMS rather than group iMessages. You have to create a group containing Android users and iPhone users from the beginning. You still can't add Android users to a group chat.

1. Open the Messages app.
   
   
2. Tap the compose icon in the upper-right corner.
   
   
3. Enter the names of the contacts you want to add, including the Android users, or you can tap the + icon to look for them in your Contacts list. You will notice the Group will change from "New iMessage" to "New Group MMS," and the numbers or contacts will be green instead of blue.
   
   
4. Type your message and tap the Send icon.  
   
   

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You now have all the tools to navigate an iMessage group chat! If you'd like more information on managing group chats, you can also learn how to name a group text on iPhone and how to leave a group text.