How to Create Group Chat Names on iPhone and Android

Naming a group text is easier than you think

By
Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh
Writer
Fionna Agomuoh is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, International Business Times, and others.
our editorial process
Fionna Agomuoh
Updated January 08, 2020

Smartphone users create group chats to converse easily with work colleagues, friends, and family, but it can be challenging to keep multiple group chats in order when you can see only contact names and numbers.

Giving your group chat a special name that every member can see is a great way to differentiate a chat from other text conversations. Here's how to easily name or rename your group chats on both iOS and Android platforms.

How to Add or Change a Group Chat Name With iOS

There are three types of group messages in iOS: group iMessage, group MMS, and group SMS. Your Messages app will automatically select the type of group message to send based on you and your recipients' settings, network connection, and carrier plan. The instructions here are for naming or renaming an iMessage group chat.

You can only name group iMessages, not MMS or SMS group messages. If there's an Android user in your group, participants won't be able to change the name.

  1. Open an iMessage group conversation, then tap the top of the conversation.

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

  3. Enter a group chat name.

    Change ios group chat name screenshots

  4. Tap 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.

In a group iMessage, everyone can send and receive photos, videos, audio messages, and message effects; share their location with the group; give the group a name; add or remove people from the group; mute notifications; or leave the group.

How to Add or Change Group Chat Names on Android

Google's release of RCS messaging for Android phones brings an improved and more iMessage-like texting experience across the Android ecosystem, including the ability to name group chats, add or remove people to and from groups, and see if people in the group have seen the latest messages. 

To name or rename a group chat in Google's new and improved Android Messages app:

  1. Go to the group conversation.

  2. Tap More > Group Details.

  3. Tap the group name and enter the new name.

  4. Tap OK.

  5. Your group conversation now has a name visible to all participants.

Read more about Google's RCS client for Android and how it aims to improve the messaging experience across the Android ecosystem.