You'd think that by now, sending a simple message to five people at once would be foolproof. It isn't. Google keeps tweaking the Google Messages app, Samsung has its own flavor of texting, and then there's the whole RCS vs. SMS drama that makes everyone's phone act a little bit crazy.
If you're trying to figure out how to make a group text on Android, it basically comes down to a few taps, but the real trick is making sure the messages actually land where they're supposed to.
Getting the group started in Google Messages
Most modern Android phones, whether you're rocking a Pixel or a Motorola, use Google Messages as the default. It's actually gotten pretty good lately.
Open the app. Look for that "Start chat" button in the bottom right corner. Instead of just picking one person, look at the top where it says "Create group." Tap that. Now you just scroll through your contacts and pick your victims—I mean, friends.
Once you’ve selected everyone, hit "Next." Give the group a name if you want to be organized, or just hit "Done" to get straight to the chatting.
But here is the thing: if even one person in that group is still using an old-school flip phone or has RCS disabled, the whole thing might revert to MMS. It’s annoying. You’ll lose the "typing..." indicators and the high-res photos. Honestly, it’s one of the biggest headaches in the Android world right now, though the recent adoption of RCS by Apple has started to bridge that gap finally.
The Samsung Galaxy way
Samsung users sometimes prefer the native Samsung Messages app. The process is almost identical, but the icons look different. You hit the new message bubble, tap the "plus" icon or the "Groups" tab, and select your people.
If you're on a Galaxy, you might see a prompt for "Group sharing" or "Link sharing." Be careful with those. They sometimes send a web link instead of a text, which confuses the heck out of people who aren't tech-savvy. Stick to the standard group message option unless you’re trying to send a massive video file of your cat.
RCS vs. MMS: Why your group chat might feel "broken"
We need to talk about why some group chats feel like 2010 and others feel like 2026.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the gold standard. When you learn how to make a group text on Android today, you’re usually aiming for an RCS chat. It allows for end-to-end encryption, those little bubbles that show someone is typing, and the ability to leave the group without having to ask the creator to delete the whole thread.
MMS is the dinosaur. It’s what happens when the data connection is spotty or someone's settings are messed up. In an MMS group, photos look like they were taken with a potato. If you notice your group chat has a "Group MMS" label at the top, you're in the old-school zone.
Google's official support documentation notes that for RCS to work, every single person in the thread must have RCS enabled. If one person doesn't, the app defaults to the lowest common denominator.
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Troubleshooting the "Mass Text" mistake
I've seen people do this a dozen times. They want to send a group text, but they accidentally send a "broadcast" or a "mass text" where everyone receives an individual message from you. Then, when they reply, only you see it.
To fix this, go into your Messages settings. Tap your profile icon, go to "Messages settings," then "Advanced," and look for "Group messaging." You want "Group MMS" selected (which sends one message to everyone and keeps replies in one thread) rather than "Mass text."
It’s a tiny toggle that saves a massive amount of social awkwardness.
Managing your group once it's alive
You’ve made the group. Now what?
You can actually do a lot more than just send emojis. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the chat. From there, you can:
- Add more people (though this sometimes starts a new thread if you're using MMS).
- Change the group name.
- Mute notifications. This is a lifesaver for that one friend who texts at 3:00 AM.
- See who has actually read your message (if RCS is on).
One thing people often overlook is the "Labels" or "Categories" feature in some versions of the app. It helps you keep your work group separate from your "What are we doing for dinner?" group.
What about WhatsApp or Telegram?
Honestly, if you're trying to coordinate with more than 10 people, a standard Android group text might not be the best tool.
Apps like WhatsApp or Signal handle groups much better because they don't rely on carrier protocols. They use the internet. You get better encryption and much larger file sizes. But, it requires everyone to download an app. If you want to stay within the "green bubble" or "blue bubble" ecosystem of native texting, sticking to Google Messages is your best bet for a seamless experience.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Don't try to add 100 people to a standard Android group text. Most carriers have a limit, usually around 10 to 30 people for MMS. If you go over that, the messages just won't send, or they'll arrive out of order, which is a nightmare to piece back together.
Also, check your APN settings if you've recently switched carriers and your group texts aren't working. It's rare, but sometimes the "Multimedia Messaging Service" settings don't update automatically, leaving you stranded in a world of one-on-one texts.
The "Apple" Factor in 2026
Since Apple finally started supporting RCS, group texts between Android and iPhone users aren't as broken as they used to be. You'll still see green bubbles on the iPhone side, but you can finally send high-quality videos and see those "typing" indicators.
When you make a group text on Android and include iPhone users, just ensure your "Send as SMS if RCS is unavailable" toggle is turned ON in your settings. This acts as a fallback so that even if the data connection drops, the message still gets through as an old-school text.
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Actionable steps for a perfect group chat
- Update Google Messages. Go to the Play Store and make sure you aren't running a version from three years ago.
- Verify RCS Status. Go to Settings > RCS Chats and make sure "Turn on RCS chats" is toggled to on.
- Start the chat. Use the "Create group" option rather than adding people one by one in the recipient bar.
- Name the group immediately. It prevents you from accidentally sending a work-related vent to your family group.
- Check your fallback settings. Ensure "Group MMS" is your default in the Advanced settings to keep the conversation in a single thread.
By following these steps, you avoid the common "broken thread" syndrome that plagues so many Android users. You get the benefits of modern messaging—like reactions and high-res media—without needing to force everyone to download a third-party app.