📋 Verified Walkthrough
iPhone & iPad • Messaging

How do I start a group text message with multiple family members or friends?

Direct Answer

Open your Messages app, tap the Compose (pen/pencil) icon, add each person's name one by one into the "To:" line, type your message at the bottom, and tap the Send arrow.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To send one message, family photo, or plan to all your kids or siblings at once without typing it separately to each person.
  • To coordinate holiday dinners, birthday plans, or family updates together in one shared conversation.

Before You Start

  • Open your phone's built-in Messages app (green speech bubble on iPhone, blue bubble on Android).
  • Have the contacts you want to include saved in your phone address book.

Everyone in the group will be able to see the messages and replies sent in the chat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Open your Messages app

    Tap the Messages icon on your home screen (the green speech bubble icon on iPhone or the blue chat bubble on Android/Samsung).

    👀 Speech bubble icon on home screen.

  2. 2

    Tap the Compose (New Message) icon

    Look at the top-right (on iPhone) or bottom-right (on Android). Tap the square icon with a pencil, or the circular button with a chat bubble/plus sign.

    👀 Pencil on paper icon or floating chat button.

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    Type the first person's name in the "To:" box

    Tap in the "To:" line at the top. Type your first family member's name (e.g. "Michael"). Tap their name when it appears in the suggested contacts list.

    👀 Contact name turns into a colored bubble.

  4. 4

    Type the second person's name right next to it

    Without closing the screen, type the next person's name (e.g. "Emma") in the exact same "To:" line. Tap their name from the list. Repeat for anyone else you want to include.

    👀 Multiple contact names listed side-by-side in "To:" line.

  5. 5

    Type your message at the bottom and tap Send

    Tap in the text box at the bottom of the screen. Type your group greeting or question, then tap the Send arrow (blue or green arrow button).

    👀 Circular Send arrow button on the right.

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

If the group conversation gets too noisy and keeps buzzing your phone

On iPhone: Tap the group names at the top and turn on "Hide Alerts." On Android: Tap the 3 dots at the top-right, tap "Details" or "Notifications," and choose "Silent."

If some family members have iPhones (blue bubbles) and some have Androids (green bubbles)

Your phone will automatically send the group message via MMS/RCS so everyone receives it seamlessly.

Good to Know

  • When someone replies in a group text, everyone in the group receives the reply.
  • On iPhone, if all members use Apple devices, you can tap the top circle to give the chat a custom name like "Family Dinner Plans."