How to Use Snapchat's Group Chat

Text, call, or video chat with a group of friends

What to Know

  • Select the Chat icon, and then tap Compose. Choose the friends you want in the chat, and then select Chat with Group.
  • Use the Call button to start an audio chat with everyone in the group chat.
  • 31 people can be in a group chat, but only 16 can be on a call.

This article shows how to start a group chat in Snapchat for Android or iOS.

Snapchat logo behind hand holding Snapchat on a phone
Chesnot / Getty Images

How to Create and Use a Group Chat

Some aspects of a Snapchat Group Chat are similar to a text group chat. Send inside jokes, directions, and any other information you can all relate to. Snapchat's Group Chat has additional functionality, allowing you to make calls and start video chats with your group.

  1. Open Snapchat and select the Chat tab (looks like a speech bubble).

  2. Select the Compose icon (looks like a pen and pad).

    Select the Chats tab and Compose icon in Snapchat
  3. To create a Group Chat, select members from your list of friends.

  4. At the top of the screen, you'll see Name Group. Enter a group name in this box to give your Group Chat a name.

    Add group members and name your group in Snapchat

    To send a message to an existing Group Chat, select the chat's name from your list of recent chats.

  5. To send a message, begin typing in the Send a chat box. Press Return or Enter when you're finished. You've sent a message to your group chat.

    To send a message, begin typing in the Send a chat box. Press Return or Enter when you're finished.
  6. To call the members of your Group Chat, select the phone icon from the top. Your group members' phones will ring.

    To call the members of your Group Chat, select the phone icon from the top.
  7. To start a video chat with your group, select the camera icon from the top. Members receive a notification inviting them to join the group video chat by video or by voice if they're not feeling camera-ready.

    To start a video chat with your group, select the camera icon from the top.

    People in the video chat appear in a grid format on the screen. While you can have yourself and 31 others in your Group Chat, only 16 people can be in a video call at once.

Video Chat Options

  • During your video chat, type a message, or select a photo or video to send to your group. These show up as overlays on the video so everyone can see them.
  • Use lenses and filters to add more fun to your group video chats.
  • Switch between the front and rear cameras while video chatting to show friends where you are and what you're doing.
  • Mute your chat temporarily if your surroundings are noisy.
  • Exit the chat at any time by tapping the red phone icon.

All group text chats are deleted by default after 24 hours. Group video chats aren't stored when they're over.

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