How do I use group chat?

This is a very important question, as this is one of the many features of WhatsApp that is not found in SMS or text messaging. Since this article answers several questions about group chat, we have links to each section listed here:

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How do I create a group?
When you create a group, you become the owner of the group and have special control over who can join the group. To create a group:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats screen.
    
2. iPhone: tap the New Group button at the top of the screen.
   
   Android: tap the [Menu Button] and select New Group.
   
   BlackBerry: press the  button and select New Group Chat.
   
   Nokia: go to Options -> New Group.
   
   Windows Phone: tap the New Group button at the bottom of the screen.
    
3. Type in a subject or title for the group chat. This will be the name of the group that all members will see.
    
4. Add group members by selecting the "+" or "Add Participants" button, or by typing the name of the contact.
5. Tap the Create or Done button when you are finished adding group members.
   
   

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How do I add a member to an existing group chat?You must be the owner of the group to add members to an existing group chat:

1. Open the group chat.
    
2. iPhone: tap Info -> Add Participant.
   
   Android & BlackBerry: tap the group title, then tap the add contact icon in the upper right.
   
   Nokia: go to Options -> Group info -> Participants (the people tab) -> Add
   
   Windows Phone: tap the three dots in the bottom right corner -> group info -> invite contacts
    
3. Select the contact you wish to add.
    

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How many contacts can I add to a group chat?You can add up to 30 contacts in a group chat. At this time, it is not possible to increase this limit.

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How do I kick or remove a contact from my group?

You must be the owner of the group to delete members from an existing group chat:

1. Open the group chat.
    
2. iPhone: Tap Info -> tap on the participant to remove
   
   BlackBerry: Press the  button -> Show Group Info -> choose the participant to remove -> press the  button
   
   Android: Tap the group title, then tap the contact name.
   
   Nokia S60: go to Options -> Group Info -> Tap on the contact name
   Nokia S40: go to Options -> Group info -> Participants (the group of people tab) -> Participant name -> Options
   
   Windows Phone: Tap the three dots in the lower corner, tap Group Info, then long press the participant's name.
   
3. Tap "Remove participant."

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How do I delete or leave a group? 
To leave a group, you must delete the chat from your chat screen. If you are the owner of the group and delete the group, another group member is randomly designated as the new owner of the group. To leave a group:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats screen
    
2. iPhone: Open the Group Chat and tap the Info button.  The, scroll down and select Delete and Exit Group.
   
   Android and touch screen Nokia phones: tap and hold on the chat, and select (Delete) and Exit Group.
   
   BlackBerry: press the button and select Delete and Exit Group.
   
   Physical keyboard Nokia S60 phones: go to Options -> Group Info -> select Delete and exit group.
   
   Nokia S40 phones: select the group from the Chats screen and long press -> select Delete
   
   Windows Phone:  long press the group chat (don't open it) and select "delete" on the menu that appears. 

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How do I change the group icon?
Any member of the group can change the icon. To do so:

1. Open the group chat.
2. iPhone: tap Info, select the group icon and tap Edit.
   
   Android & BlackBerry: Tap the group title, then tap the group icon in the upper left.
   
   Nokia: go to Options -> Group info, and select the group icon.
   
   Windows Phone: tap the three dots in the bottom right corner -> group info -> tap the group image
3. Select from the list of options to update the group icon, then choose a picture. 

Not able to change the icon? You may need to update WhatsApp. Download the latest version here.

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How do I rejoin a group I left?

Only the group owner can add members to the group chat. If you were previously the group owner, a new owner was assigned when you left the group. Please ask the group owner to add you back to the group.

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How do I turn off group notifications?

You can mute group notifications for a certain period of time. You will still receive the messages sent to the group, but your phone will not notify you when they are received.  To mute a group:

1. Open the group chat.
    
2. iPhone: Tap Info -> tap Mute
   
   BlackBerry: Press the  button -> Mute group
   
   Android: tap the [Menu Button] and select Mute group.
   
   Nokia: go to Options -> Group info -> Options -> Mute (group)
   
   Windows Phone: Tap the three dots in the lower corner, tap Group Info, then tap Mute group
3. Select the interval of silence that you want (8 hours, 1 day, 1 week).
    

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Note:  in a group chat you will only see one check mark indicating that the message was successfully delivered to the server.

Cheers,
WhatsApp Support Team