Example: from the message app I click the pencil to start a new message. Then when I type the name in the To: field it doesn’t give me an option to add them by mobile number – only email address. So I have to go to the individual contact and click “message” there to send an iMessage.

If I start a group text that way and I try to add another name it only gives me their email address even though their mobile number is in their contact information. Therefore I can’t add that name to a group text

Hi Jack,

You can’t add or remove people from group MMS messages or group SMS messages. You can’t add or remove people from a group conversation even if only one of the users in the group text is using a non-Apple device or not using iMessage on an Apple device.

To add or remove someone, you need to start a new group conversation.

Hi Earl,

You hit the head on the nail! The way iOS and iPadOS handle groups is ridiculous!

To send a group iMessage, you do need to add each person to the first message. Once done, you can name that group and then pick up where you left off.

What you can’t do is start a new message conversation and just type in that group name! And we don’t understand why–it makes no sense and seems like a feature that would be included. But it’s not!

To call that same group in FaceTime without having to enter everyone in again, the recommendation is to use Messages.

Start a Group FaceTime call from a group text (iMessage) thread

Open your existing group iMessage conversation
Tap the group name or all the names listed at the top
Tap the FaceTime icon and place your Group FT call

Any help would be helpful.

Work arounds are welcome.

Hi Neena,

Is everyone on the group message an iMessage user (iPhone or Apple)? You can only add or remove folks if the group message has at least 3 people AND all those people use iMessage. You can’t add or remove people from group MMS messages or group SMS messages–so folks that use Android (Samsung etc) phones–look for any green bubbles in the thread. If you see any, your group message is NOT an iMessage group message.

Hi Melody,

Can you let us know what iOS version your device currently uses and the make/model of your device?

Find this information in Settings > General > About.

Hi Evelyn,

When you are on a group iMessage or SMS chat, you see all the names, phone numbers, or emails for everyone in the group listed above the text messages.

Liz

Hi Desiree,

What you can do is hide alerts from that group–but that only hides those notifications on your device, not anyone elses.

To hide alerts, go to Messages App > Select a group message > Tap the list of people on the message at the top > tap the “i” info button > Toggle on Hide Alerts.

This does NOT prevent the messages–just the notifications.

Liz