How to Create and Manage a WhatsApp Group Chat

WhatsApp group chats let you message, share photos, and make calls with multiple family members or friends all at once in one conversation.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Open a new group chat
2.Name the group
3.Send messages to the group
4.Manage group settings
5.Mute or leave a group

Open a new group chat

~22s

In WhatsApp, tap the chat icon (pencil icon on iPhone, or the new chat button on Android). Tap "New Group." You'll see your WhatsApp contacts. Tap each person you want to add to the group — they must already have WhatsApp installed. Tap the green arrow when done.

Quick Tip

You can add more people after creating the group, so don't worry if someone is missing at first.

Name the group

~16s

On the next screen, enter a name for your group — for example, "Johnson Family," "Book Club Friends," or "Neighbors on Elm St." Add a group photo by tapping the camera icon (optional but helps people identify the group quickly). Tap the green checkmark to create the group.

Send messages to the group

~24s

The group chat opens like a regular conversation. Type in the text box and tap Send. Everyone in the group receives and can see your message. When anyone replies, all group members see the reply. This keeps all related conversation in one place.

Quick Tip

If you want to reply specifically to one message, press and hold that message and tap "Reply" — your response will be visually connected to the specific message you're answering.

Manage group settings

~23s

Tap the group name at the top to open group info. Here you can see all members, add new people (tap "Add Members"), and access settings. Tap "Group Settings" to control who can send messages (everyone, or admins only), who can edit group info, and other permissions.

Warning

Be thoughtful about who you add to family groups. Once added, a person can see all previous messages in the group from the moment they join.

Mute or leave a group

~26s

If a group becomes too busy, tap the group name → Mute and choose 8 hours, 1 week, or Always. You'll still receive messages but won't get sound notifications. To leave a group entirely, tap the group name → Scroll downExit Group. Members will see that you left.

Quick Tip

You can mute a group's notifications while still being able to read messages when you choose. This is better than leaving — you stay connected but aren't interrupted constantly.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Create and Manage a WhatsApp Group Chat

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WhatsApp group chats let you have a single ongoing conversation with multiple people at once. Instead of sending the same message to 5 different people individually, you send it once to the group and everyone sees it and can reply.

Group chats are popular for family communication — a family group chat might include parents, adult children, and grandchildren sharing photos, making plans, and staying connected. Other common uses include friend groups, church or community groups, neighbors, and hobbyist clubs.

WhatsApp groups can include up to 1,024 people, though most family and friend groups have just 5-20 members. Group members can send text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, and make group voice or video calls.

Groups have administrators who control who can add or remove members and change the group settings. The person who creates the group becomes the first administrator.

WhatsApp is free and works over Wi-Fi or your cellular data connection. All messages are end-to-end encrypted for privacy. Both the sender and recipients must have WhatsApp installed — but WhatsApp is available for free on iPhone and Android.

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