How to Create Contact Groups on iPhone and Android

Ready to master the simple magic of creating contact groups on your phone? Whether you’re planning a trip with friends, keeping family connected or just want to save time, grouping contacts makes it quick and easy.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to start group texts, make contact lists and email groups on both iPhone and Android.

Creating Contact Groups: Quick Steps for iPhone

For group texts:

• Open Messages, start a new text and add contacts
• Send your first text to make it a group
• Name the group if everyone is on iMessage (group naming isn’t available if a non-iPhone user is in the group)

For group emails: 

• Open Contacts > Lists to Add List and create a reusable contact list for group emails

Creating Contact Groups: Quick Steps for Android

For group texts:

• Open Google Messages and start a new text
• Add multiple contacts and send a message—it becomes a group chat

For group emails:

• In Google Contacts, create a Label to reuse your group for email or text

The Two Ways to “Group” Contacts

There are two main ways to group people on your phone:

1. Start a group text conversation: Great for ongoing chats
2. Create a reusable contact list: Best for emailing or easily selecting groups without typing names each time

Contact Groups on iPhone

Create and Name a Group Conversation in Messages

1. Open the Messages app and start a new conversation
2. Add all the people you’d like in the group
3. Write and send your first message
4. Tap the group icon at the top > Change Name and Photo to give your group a name (Note: You can only do this if everyone is using iMessage)
5. To find it faster later, press and hold the group chat, then tap Pin from the menu that appears

Create a Contact List in Contacts > Lists

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Tap Lists in the upper-left corner
3. Tap Add List
4. Name your list, then add contacts
5. Tap Done to save

Email Your Contact List from Mail

1. Open the Mail app
2. Start a new email
3. In the “To:” field, type the list name
4. Select the list when it pops up
5. Write and send your email

Contact Groups on Android

Create a Group Text in Google Messages

1. Open the Messages app
2. Tap Start chat > Create group
3. Add the people you want to include
4. Name your group if you want (it’s not required)
5. Write and send your message
6. The conversation is saved as a group

Create a Contact Group Using Google Contacts Labels

1. Open the Google Contacts app
2. Tap Menu > Create Label
3. Name your group
4. Add the contacts you want
5. Tap Save

Contact Group Tips and Troubleshooting

Naming Groups on iPhone

You can only name a group text if everyone is using iMessage. If even one person is on Android, you’ll see names/phone numbers only.

Android Group Messaging

To make sure replies go to everyone, check Messages > Settings > Advanced > Group messaging. Select “Send MMS replies to all recipients” or enable RCS Chat Features if available.

Add or Remove People

On iPhone iMessage groups, you can add or remove participants. On Android or mixed groups, you’ll likely need to start a new chat.

Leaving or Muting a Group

On both platforms, tap the group name or info button to mute notifications—or leave the group entirely (iMessage and certain Android phones with “Leave Group” functionality only).

FAQs on Creating Contact Lists

Why can’t I name my iPhone group text?
Because naming is only supported if everyone is on iMessage. Mixed groups (with Android users) can’t be named.

What’s the difference between a group text and a contact list?
A group text is for ongoing text conversations. A contact list is reusable for emails or starting a new group message without typing everyone’s name.

On Android, where do I turn on group messaging or RCS?
In Google Messages > Settings > Advanced > Group messaging, or enable Chat Features (RCS) under Settings.

How do I email a contact list?
On iPhone, use Contacts > Lists. On Android, create a Label in Google Contacts and use it in Gmail.

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