Creating a group starts with the plus icon or "New" button
Open Facebook Messenger and look for the plus icon (usually in the bottom right or top left, depending on whether you're on mobile or desktop). Tap or click it, then select "New Group" or "Create Group" — the exact wording changes between app versions, but the button is always near the top of the menu that appears.
On desktop, you can also click the pencil icon at the top left of your chat list and choose "New Group" from the dropdown. Both routes lead to the same place: a screen where you name the group and add people.
You do not need to add everyone at once. You can create a group with just one other person and add more later, or create one and invite people gradually as the conversation grows.
Key Takeaways
- Groups start with the plus icon in Messenger, then "New Group" — you pick a name and add at least one other person to create it.
- You can add people before creating the group or invite them afterward, and you can remove or add members at any time.
- Group names are visible to everyone in the chat, and you can change the name, photo, or description whenever you want.
- Only the group creator can delete the entire group, but any member can leave without affecting the others.
Adding people to your new group
After you tap "New Group," a list of your contacts appears. Tap the names of the people you want to add — a checkmark shows next to each one you select. You need at least one other person to create the group. Once you've picked everyone, tap "Next" or "Create" (depending on your device).
The next screen asks you to name the group. Type something that tells people what the group is for — "Weekend Plans," "Book Club," "Work Project," or the names of the people in it. This name shows at the top of the chat for everyone, so make it something you won't mind seeing every time you open the conversation.
After you name it, the group is created and the chat opens. You can start messaging right away. If you forgot to add someone, you can invite them later without recreating the group.
Changing the group name, photo, or settings later
To edit a group after it's created, open the group chat and tap the group name at the top of the screen. This opens the group details page, where you can see all the members and change the group's information.
Tap "Edit Group Name" to change what the group is called. Tap the group photo (or the blank circle if there isn't one) to add or change a picture. You can upload a photo from your phone, take a new one, or use an emoji as the group image.
From the group details page, you can also add a group description, change notification settings for just that group, or control who can see the group in your chat list. These settings are personal to you — changing them doesn't affect what other members see.
Adding or removing members after the group is created
Open the group chat and tap the group name at the top to see the members list. Tap "Add Members" or the plus icon next to the member list, then select the people you want to invite. They'll get a notification that they've been added to the group.
To remove someone, tap their name in the members list and select "Remove from Group". They'll no longer see the group in their chat list, but the messages they sent before removal stay in the chat history for everyone else.
If you want to leave the group yourself, tap your own name in the members list and select "Leave Group." You'll be removed from the chat, and the group will continue without you.
Who can delete or manage the group
The person who created the group is the group admin by default. Only the admin can delete the entire group — if you created it and want it gone, open the group details and look for "Delete Group" or "Disband Group." This removes the group for everyone and deletes all messages in it.
Other members cannot delete the group, but they can leave it at any time. If the admin leaves but doesn't delete the group, it stays active and other members can keep using it. If you need someone else to be able to manage the group, some versions of Messenger let you make another member an admin from the group details page.
If the group admin deletes their Facebook account, the group usually stays active, but no one can add new members or change the group settings. The existing members can still message each other.
Group chat privacy and who can see it
Group chats in Messenger are private by default. Only the people you add can see the group, the messages in it, or that the group exists. Facebook does not show your group chats to other users, and you control exactly who is in the group.
Messages in a group are encrypted in transit (meaning they're scrambled while traveling between your phone and Facebook's servers), but Facebook can still see the content of group messages — they're not end-to-end encrypted the way one-on-one chats can be. If privacy is a concern, you can use Messenger's "Secret Conversation" feature for one-on-one chats, but secret conversations don't work in groups.
You can hide a group from your main chat list without leaving it. Open the group, tap the group name, and look for "Hide Chat" or "Mute Notifications." The group stays active and you'll still get messages, but it won't clutter your chat list.
Troubleshooting common group chat problems
If you can't find the "New Group" button, make sure you're using the latest version of Messenger. Older versions sometimes hide the button in different places. Close the app completely and reopen it, or check your app store for updates.
If someone you tried to add didn't receive the group invitation, they may have blocked you, restricted who can contact them, or their account may have privacy settings that prevent group invites. Try adding them again, or ask them directly to check their Messenger requests.
If a group chat disappears from your list, you may have accidentally hidden it or archived it. Scroll down in your chat list and look for an "Archived" section, or search for the group name at the top of Messenger. Tap the group when you find it to bring it back to your main list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a group with just one other person?
Yes. You need at least one other person to create a group, so a two-person group is the smallest size. If you want to message just one person, a regular one-on-one chat works better and takes up less space in your chat list.
What happens to messages if I remove someone from the group?
The messages they sent before removal stay in the group chat for everyone else to see. They just can't see new messages sent after they're removed, and they can't send messages to the group anymore.
Can I make someone else the group admin?
Some versions of Messenger let you make another member an admin from the group details page, but not all versions have this feature. If you don't see an option to change admins, your version doesn't support it yet.
What's the difference between hiding a group and leaving it?
Hiding a group keeps you in it — you still get messages and can send them — but it doesn't show in your main chat list. Leaving removes you completely, and you won't see new messages unless someone adds you back.
Can I delete a group I didn't create?
No. Only the person who created the group can delete it. If you want the group gone, you can leave it, but the group will stay active for other members.