Creating a group chat takes three taps

Open Snapchat and tap the chat icon at the bottom left. Press the compose button (the pencil and square icon) in the top right corner. Snapchat will show you a list of your contacts — tap each person you want to add to the group, then tap "Create" at the bottom. You now have a group chat.

The group starts with a default name based on your friends' first names. You can change this name, add or remove people, and control who can send snaps and messages. Unlike one-on-one chats, group messages stay in the chat window until someone deletes them, and everyone in the group sees when someone is typing.

Groups work the same way as regular chats otherwise. You can send text, voice messages, photos, and video snaps. You can also start a video or voice call with everyone in the group at once by tapping the phone or video icon at the top of the chat.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a group by opening the chat tab, tapping the compose button, selecting multiple contacts, and tapping Create.
  • You can rename the group, add new members, and remove people who are already in it from the group settings.
  • Group messages stay visible until deleted, unlike one-on-one snaps that disappear after viewing.
  • Only the person who created the group can change the group name or remove members.

Renaming your group

Long-press the group chat name at the top of the conversation. A menu will appear with options including "Edit Group." Tap that option, then tap the group name field and type a new name. Press "Save" when you are done. The new name appears to everyone in the group when ready.

Group names can be anything — a project name, an inside joke, or just the names of the people in it. Snapchat does not limit what you can type, but keep in mind that everyone in the group sees the name you choose.

Adding or removing people from the group

Long-press the group chat and tap "Edit Group." You will see a list of current members with an X next to each name. Tap the X to remove someone. To add new people, tap "Add Friends" at the top of the list, select the contacts you want to add, and tap "Done."

Only the person who created the group can add or remove members. If you are not the creator, you can leave the group by long-pressing the chat and selecting "Leave Group," but you cannot remove other people or change the group name. If the creator removes everyone, the group disappears.

Muting notifications from a group chat

If a group is active and you do not want constant notifications, long-press the chat and tap "Mute." You can mute for 8 hours, 24 hours, or until you unmute it manually. Muted chats still show new messages when you open the app, but you will not get notifications on your phone.

Muting is useful when a group is having a long conversation you want to follow later but do not need alerts for right now. You can unmute the same way — long-press and tap "Unmute."

What happens when you leave a group

If you leave a group, you stop receiving messages from it and the chat disappears from your chat list. You will not see messages sent after you leave, even if someone adds you back later. The other members can still see the full conversation history.

If you want to rejoin, someone in the group has to add you again. There is no way to re-join on your own or to see the messages you missed while you were gone.

Group calls and video chats

Tap the phone icon at the top of a group chat to start a voice call with everyone in the group. Tap the video camera icon to start a video call. Everyone gets a notification that you are calling, and they can join by tapping the notification or opening the chat.

Group calls work the same as one-on-one calls — you can mute your microphone, switch between front and back camera, or hang up at any time. People can join or leave the call independently, so not everyone has to be on at the same time. The call ends when the last person hangs up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a group with someone who is not in my contacts?

No. You can only add people to a group if they are already in your Snapchat friends list. If you want to add someone new, add them as a friend first, then create or edit the group to include them.

What if I accidentally delete a group chat?

The chat is gone from your list, but you can recreate it by tapping the compose button and selecting the same people again. You will not see the old message history — that is deleted permanently. The other people in the group still have their copy of the conversation.

Can I see who has read my message in a group chat?

No. Snapchat does not show read receipts in group chats. You can see when someone is typing, but you cannot tell whether they have actually read what you sent.

What is the maximum number of people in a group?

Snapchat does not publish a hard limit, but groups with more than 30 or 40 people can become slow or unstable. For large conversations, consider whether a group is the right tool or if a different approach would work better.