Chatting through messages is not only fun but also a personal way to communicate. With around 23 billion messages sent daily, according to Forbes, messaging is a popular communication method. The increasing use of end-to-end encryption in messaging apps makes chatting one of the most private ways to communicate.
Group chats allow you to send messages to multiple people at once in the same chat. Whether you’re planning a surprise party or just keeping friends and family updated, group chats are efficient and time-saving. You can create group chats for various purposes, including events, projects, or simply to stay connected with a group of people.
How to Initiate a Group Chat
Starting a group chat is a simple process on most messaging apps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Initiate a new conversation.
- Instead of adding just one contact, use the plus icon to include more contacts or phone numbers in the same chat.
- Type your message and send it to initiate the group chat.
For more details on group messaging, visit the respective pages for iPhone and Android on their official websites.
International messaging fees may apply if using the default Messages app for group chats with international phone numbers. Consider using chat apps from app stores for internet-based messaging without additional costs.
Customizing Group Chats
Group admins can edit the group’s name and picture easily:
- Open the group conversation.
- Access the settings by tapping on the group icon or the 3-dots.
- Edit the group chat’s photo and name from the settings menu.
Learn more about Messaging Apps by joining Senior Planet’s online lectures on the topic. Stay updated with class schedules on their website.
Leaving Group Chats
You have the option to leave or block a group chat whenever you want:
- Open the group chat.
- Access the settings by tapping on the group icon or the 3-dots.
- Leave or block the group chat from the settings menu.
To stop receiving notifications from a group chat, consider muting the alerts. Group admins can also remove members from the group at any time.
Choosing the Right App
Select a group chat app based on the app that all members are already using or are familiar with. Popular messaging apps like WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption and are user-friendly for group chats.
Other popular apps include Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Viber, Telegram, Snapchat, and Signal. Refer to tech articles for recommendations on secure messaging apps.
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Share Your Experience
Share your favorite group chat experiences in the comments below!
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Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist, with expertise in iOS development, Information Systems, and Cyber Security.
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