You don't have to send iMessages to just one person. Thanks to groups, you can share text, photos, videos, soundbites, location — almost anything you like — with two people, three people, and more. You can even name a conversation thread to make it easier to find and keep track of, or mute it for when it's getting too noisy to follow.

How to start a group message on iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the Messages app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the compose new message button (looks like a pencil and paper).

  3. Type in your first contact's name (I chose my friend Drew).

    Launch messages-tap on compose new message and type a contact's name.

  4. Type your next contact's name (I chose my friend Alf).

  5. Tap inside of the text field at the bottom of your message.

    Type your next contact's name and tap inside the text field in your message.

  6. Type the message you want to send to the group.

  7. Tap send.

    Type your message and tap send.

Now you'll be able to start group chats, instead of having to text each person individually.

How to name a group message

If a few people come and go or the topic of the group message changes, you can easily rename it!

  1. Launch the Messages app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the group conversation you'd like to rename.
  3. Tap the contacts at the top of the conversation.
  4. Tap the info button. It's an 'i' in a circle.
  5. Tap NAME.
  6. Enter a name.

  7. Tap Done.

    Tap the contacts at the top, tap info, tap name, add a name, tap Done

Note: Everyone, including you, must have iMessage enabled in order to be able to name the group chat.

How to mute a group message

Got added to a group message that you have no interest in following? No problem! Walk away with no regrets, or just mute notifications with a few taps on your phone.

  1. Launch the Messages app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the group message you want to mute.
  3. Tap the name of the group at the top of your screen.
  4. Tap info.

  5. Tap the switch next to **Hide Alerts*.

    Tap the contacts at the top, tap info, tap Hide Alerts

How to leave a group conversation

You can only leave group messages if all participants are using iMessage. Since Apple doesn't have access to block or remove you from SMS/MMS carrier messages, iMessage threads are the only thing they can remove you from on their end.

  1. Launch the Messages app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the group message you want to leave.
  3. Tap the group name at the top of your screen.
  4. Tap info.

  5. Tap Leave this Conversation in red.

    Tap the contacts at the top, tap info, tap Leave this Conversation

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated August 2018: Screenshots updated for iOS 12.

iOS

Main

HomeKit