To make a group, open WhatsApp, start a New group, choose the people you want, give the group a name and tap the tick or Create. You become the group admin, so you decide the name, the photo and who can send messages.
Before you start
- You can only add people who are saved in your phone's contacts and who use WhatsApp. If someone is missing, save their number first, or send them an invite link later (see group invite links).
- A group can hold up to 1,024 members.
- Some people only allow certain contacts to add them to groups. You will get the choice to send them a private invite instead.
On Android
- Open WhatsApp and stay on the Chats tab.
- Tap the green New chat button (bottom right, a message bubble with a plus), then tap New group. You can also tap ⋮ (three dots, top right) › New group.
- Tap each contact you want to add. A tick appears on their photo. You can search by name using the search icon at the top.
- Tap the green arrow at the bottom.
- Type a Group name. This is required. Tap the camera circle if you want to add a group photo.
- If you want, open Group permissions on this screen (for example, to stop members from changing the name).
- Tap the green tick. The group opens and everyone you added is told about it.
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and tap Chats at the bottom.
- Tap the New chat icon (top right, a plus or pencil) › New group.
- Tap the contacts you want to add, then tap Next.
- Type the Group name and, if you like, tap the camera icon to add a photo.
- Tap Create.
First things to do in a new group
- Add a description: tap the group name at the top › Add group description. Write what the group is for and its rules, for example "Family news only, no forwards".
- Choose permissions: in the same group info screen open Group permissions (Android) or Group settings (iPhone). Read more in group admin settings.
- Add a helper admin: if the group is big, make one or two trusted members admins so the group is not stuck if you lose your phone.
If it doesn't work
- A contact does not appear in the list: check that the number is saved with the country code (for India, +91) and that the person uses WhatsApp. Pull down on the contact list or reopen WhatsApp to refresh it.
- "Couldn't add" message: that person's privacy setting does not let you add them. Tap Invite to group or send them the group link so they can join themselves.
- The tick button stays grey: you have not typed a group name yet.
Safety tip
Only add people who agreed to join. Adding strangers or many unknown numbers can make people report the group, and many reports can get your account limited (see banned account). Never share a phone number from the group outside it without that person's OK.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
Still stuck?
Contact support. Tell us which tool or page you were using, what you tapped, what you saw, and your phone or computer and browser (for example: Android phone, Chrome). We reply by email.
Questions, or an error not listed here?
Tell us in the comments: what you were doing, the exact message you saw, and your device and browser. We read every comment and add new fixes to this article.