How to Create Group Chat Names on iPhone and Android

Naming a group text is easier than you think

several people with cell phones engaged in a group chat

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by Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh has been a tech writer and product reviewer since 2011. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, International Business Times, and others.
Updated March 26, 2019

Smartphone users have group chats for conversing with work colleagues, friends, family, and for many other purposes, but it can be challenging to keep them all in order.

Giving your group chat a special name every member can see is a great way to differentiate it from other collective text conversations. Read on to learn how to name a group chat on iOS and Android.

The information below should apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.

How to Change Group Chat Names on iOS

If an Android user is part of the iOS group chat, participants won't be able to change the name.

  1. Open a group chat conversation in iMessage.

  2. Select the information icon at the top right corner of the screen.

  3. Enter a group chat name where it is instructed.

    Change ios group chat name screenshots
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  4. Select Done.

  5. The group chat name will be seen at the top of the text conversation. All iOS participants will be able to see the receipt of who changed the group chat name and to what.

How to Change Group Chat Names on Android

Basic Android texting apps typically don't include settings to change the name of group chats. Google's stock messaging app, while capable of starting group chats, doesn't support group chat names, nor do the brand messaging apps on the most popular Android devices.

The best way to differentiate between different groups is to look at the names of the contacts listed among the group chat participants. You may have to add new contacts to your phone for the sake of keeping things orderly.

That said, Android owners can opt to use other Android messaging services, such as Google Hangouts, which allows users to name a group chat.

Those who use iOS devices can also download the Google Hangout app to use with both iOS and Android contacts. These users also have the ability to change the name of a group chat from an iOS device.

  1. Open Google Hangouts and start group chat conversation. 

  2. Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the screen.

  3. Tap Options, then tap Conversation name.

    Change Android group chat name screenshots
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  4. Enter a group chat name in the pop-up window, then tap Save.

  5. The group chat name is visible at the top of the text conversation. All participants can see the receipt of who changed the group chat name and to what.