How To Create a Group in WhatsApp

Do you find it inconvenient to message each of your family members separately every time you have something to announce? Group conversations certainly make our lives easier in this respect.

Group chats are a core WhatsApp feature, so learning how to use them will allow you to get more out of this app. Here’s how to create group chats on different devices and everything else you need to know about group chats on WhatsApp.

How to Create a Group in WhatsApp on an iPhone

Follow these steps to create a group in WhatsApp using the iPhone app.

1. Launch the iOS app for WhatsApp.
   
2. Go to the Chat menu in the following way:
   • If you’re on the main screen, press the chat icon at the bottom of the screen.
   • If the app opened your latest chat by default, hit the “Chats” button in the upper left corner.
     
3. Find the “New Group” option above your chats.
   
4. The app will open your contacts list. You might need to give permission to WhatsApp to access your contacts if you haven’t done so before.
   
5. Pick the users you want to add to your new WhatsApp group. Type their name in the search bar and check the circle to select them.
   
6. Hit “Next” in the top right corner.
   
7. Specify the details of your new group:
   • Name the group using the subject field.
   • Tap the camera icon to add a photo.
   • Revise the member list if necessary.
     
8. Tap the “Create” button in the top right corner to finalize your new WhatsApp group.
   

You can only add contacts to your group who are already saved on your phone. However, you’ll be able to invite other users later using the shareable link feature.

Note: If you don’t yet have any conversations in your chats list, the group chat option might not appear. If you can’t see “New Group” in the chats menu, you can create a new group in one of the following ways:

• Tap the “New Chat” button and select “New Group.”
• Send someone a message to create your first chat, and the “New Group” option will appear at the top.

How to Create a Group in WhatsApp on an Android

Here’s how to create a new group chat in the WhatsApp Android application.

1. Open the WhatsApp Android app.
   
2. Create a new group in one of these ways:
   • Press the three vertical dots in the top right corner to open the chats menu and select “New Group” from the dropdown.
     
   • Tap the new chat button and then “New Group.”
     
3. You’ll need to select the contacts you want to add to your new WhatsApp group. Search for contacts and simply tap them to add them to the list.
   
4. Hit the arrow button when you’re finished adding contacts.
   
5. Enter the details of your new group:
   • Name your group by typing something in the subject line.
   • Add an emoji using the emoji button.
   • Press the camera icon to add a picture to the group.
     
6. Tap the checkmark icon when you’re done.
   

Your new group chat is ready for the incoming messages.

WhatsApp Create a Group With Yourself

Having a “group” chat with yourself can be useful. You can use it as a memo pad or even forward yourself messages from other chats you don’t want to lose track of. But can you create a group chat with only yourself as a member? WhatsApp requires you to add at least one person when creating a group conversation, so you’ll need a workaround to end up with a private chat with yourself. Follow these steps.

1. Open the WhatsApp Android or iOS app and create a group chat as instructed above. Add a single member to your group chat.
   
2. Go to the group chat once it’s ready.
   
3. Tap the chat subject at the top to open the info panel.
   
4. Scroll down to see the members list and tap the name of the member you added.
   
5. Select “Remove,” and you’ll be the only one left in the group.
   

A conversation with yourself doesn’t necessarily require a group chat. Another way to achieve a similar result is as follows:

1. Save your own number as a contact on your phone.
   
2. Start a WhatsApp conversation with yourself by tapping the WhatsApp button on the contact page.
   

How to Create a WhatsApp Group Without Adding Contacts

As you might have noticed, you can only add existing contacts to your WhatsApp groups. However, there’s another way to add people to groups later that doesn’t require you to save them as contacts. Create a group conversation with at least one person, then use a shareable link to invite others:

1. Create a group chat according to the above instructions. Add at least one person from your contacts list. You can remove this person later if you want to.
   
2. Open the group chat and tap the chat subject.
   
3. Find the “Invite via link” option.
   
4. Copy or share the link using your preferred method.
   

Remember that shareable links can be forwarded, and anyone with your link will be able to join your group chat. You can reset the link from time to time to better control who can access your group chat.

Pin WhatsApp Group or Chat

WhatsApp conversation lists can easily get cluttered if you use the app often. Finding the chat you need on the list can be a hassle as it gets pushed down with every new message. You can get around this by pinning important conversations. Pin a group or private chat to the top of the list to access it easily anytime. Here’s how it works on iPhone:

1. Launch WhatsApp and make sure you’re in the chats tab.
   
2. Swipe right the conversation you want to pin.
   
3. Tap the pin button at the top.
   

To pin a conversation on Android, follow these steps.

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chats tab.
   
2. Press and hold the conversation you want to pin.
   
3. Tap the pin icon in the top right corner.
   

FAQs

How do I add someone to a WhatsApp group?

If you want to add additional members to an already existing WhatsApp group, you’ll need to open the group chat info. Do it in the following way:

1. Open the group conversation of your choice.

2. Tap the name of the conversation at the top of the screen.

3. Scroll down to find the list of group members.

4. Tap the “Add participants” button and select the new members from your contacts list.

5. When you’re done, hit the checkmark icon on Android or the “Add” button on iPhone.

Can I remove members from my group chats on WhatsApp?

Yes, if you created the group, you are automatically its admin, and you have permission to edit the member list. Refer to the instructions mentioned above to remove members from your group chat.

How do I rename my WhatsApp group?

You can edit the name of your WhatsApp group from the group chat info panel:

1. Open the group chat in question.

2. Press the name of the group chat to open the chat info.

3. Find the pencil icon in the corner of the group chat image.

4. Delete the current group name and type your new one.

5. Save the changes.

How many participants can I add to my WhatsApp group chat?

Prior to May 2022, the maximum number of members in a WhatsApp group was limited to 256. WhatsApp increased this limit to 512 and won’t let you add any more members once you hit this number. If WhatsApp still only limits you to 256 group members, make sure you update your app in the App Store or the Google Play Store.

The Conversation Starts With You

Creating a WhatsApp group chat is quick and easy, so don’t let anything stand between you and your social ambitions. Make groups with tens or even hundreds of people, or create a cozy chat for your inner circle. You can even make a group chat just for yourself. The possibilities are endless.

What do you think about WhatsApp’s group chat feature? Do you use it often, or are you more of a one-on-one person? Let us know in the comments section below.