Android Group Messaging 101: The Ultimate Guide in 2023
Do you love using group messaging on Android? But you’re having problems with some of its features? If yes, then, you are in the right place!
Let’s set things straight: Group messaging or group text is a form of sending one single message either through a Short Messaging Service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) to a group of people. This kind of messaging service has already been available even before Android came into existence.
As opposed to popular belief: Group text is not the same as group chat. Group chat is more defined as the use of an internet connection, while group messaging is more through cellular services.
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How Do I Start Sending Group Texts Using My Android Phone?
To send a group text using your Android phone, all you have to do is follow these steps:
Step 1:
Launch your local “Messaging” app that comes pre-installed on your device. This app is not the Facebook Messenger app or WhatsApp or any messaging app that uses an internet connection to send messages.
Step 2:
Create a new message by tapping the + icon or Start chat button.
Step 3:
On contacts selection, tap on the “Contact Icon.” (This could be different per device, best to explore)
Step 4:
Select the individual contacts to that you wish to send a message.
Step 5:
Once done, start typing your message and send it to them.
Isn’t that easy? All that’s left to do now is dive into the system of group messaging and other related stuff. Since this method alone is not a group messaging of some sort, this method is directly sending an SMS to a group of people.
Any replies to your message will only be sent to you and not to the group that you or your friend created.
Must Read:
- How to leave a group text on Android
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- How to Hide Text Messages on Android to Keep Your Messages Private
From our experience, some Android users have had a bit of a hard time figuring this feature out. Especially those who are new to Android coming from an Apple iPhone device user.
Group Messaging on Android and iOS Devices
Group Messaging-Apple iPhone iOS Devices
Apple’s iPhones have a different approach when it comes to group messaging: the less complicated, the better. Starting a group text with the “iMessage” app on an iPhone will give you a different experience than with Android. Every message sent will go through Apple’s messaging servers, treating every group SMS as a group chat sent through the internet.
All text, messages, and replies within the group will appear together in one session. Although, it’s only possible if all the recipients are using an iPhone and the iMessage app. If a non-iPhone user is within the group, the messages will arrive as an SMS. You will only see any replies to your group message, and the members of the group will not receive the response.
Therein lies the problem when longtime iPhone users do the switch from iOS to Android. Although the same feature is possible with Android, it requires MMS to be activated.
Sending Group Messages on Android
Before anything else, let’s clarify a few things first. Mass texting or group texting is sending a text to multiple recipients. However, any replies won’t be received by everyone since mass texting or group texting uses SMS protocol.
The second one is “Group Messaging.” Group messaging refers to sending a message to a group of selected contacts. Each member of the group is entitled to see all the replies within the group.
So you might be asking, “what’s the point in all this?”, “We already have WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for this sole purpose.” Well, group messaging is excellent in areas where Data connection is weak. So, communicating with people in poor to zero data signal areas, is undoubtedly a great alternative.
Group Messaging Requirements – Toggle Group Message Settings to MMS
A full-way group messaging on Android requires the MMS protocol. To toggle the group message settings to MMS, go into the Settings of your default messaging app, proceed to Advanced -> Group Messaging, and make sure to toggle the “group MMS” option.
Doing this will change the global action whenever you try to send an SMS message to multiple recipients. Group texts will now go through the MMS protocol.
Additional setting requirements should also be done, such as toggling the “Auto-download MMS” ON. Setting this ON eliminates that annoying notification every time a member of the group replies.
Once all is set and done, you can now start and enjoy group messaging on Android. Additionally, you can now do it via your standard SMS app.
Note: Some mobile carriers count sending messages over MMS to your monthly data bill.
Group Messaging Apps—Group Texting Apps for Android
So once you have your MMS settings toggled correctly, you can now start group messaging to your heart’s content. You can even use third-party apps to do group messaging.
Here are the best apps you can use to message groups of people.
1. Messages – Google’s Official App For Texting (SMS, MMS) and Chat (RCS)
If you want Google’s stock SMS messaging app, you can’t get as fundamental as “Messages.” This app is the one Google wants you to use on Android for SMS messaging. Don’t be fooled by the basic layout. “Messages” contains all the SMS messaging features you will ever need, including group messaging, in one clean app.
2. Handcent Next SMS
Handcent was one of the first well-made SMS apps, and it’s not surprising that a lot of people still use it to this day. The app now goes by Handcent Next SMS.
The great thing about this app is that it includes a lot of features – including group messaging.
3. GroupMe
GroupMe is one of the most popular apps for group messaging. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the internet, MMS or SMS, the app will do group messaging one way or another.
Owned by Microsoft, GroupMe may seem like a chat app to most, but at its core, it’s a great multi-purpose messaging app. It prides itself on organization that most apps don’t have.
4. Textra SMS
Textra SMS is one of the best group messaging apps you can get on the Play Store. Its popularity comes from its customizability and its useful features. Textra is one of the highest-rated SMS apps in Google Play. A lot of people are satisfied with what the app brings to the table and, of course, among its features, is group messaging.
Must Read: Text Message Background: Apps, Themes and Wallpaper Downloads
The app is compatible with Android Wear, Pushbullet, MightyText, and other apps, so it’s no surprise that you have to pay USD$2.99 for the premium version. With that said, most of the free-to-use features already make it a reliable messaging app.
Problems with group messaging via MMS
Setting your phone to do group messaging comes with a few issues. The most prominent one that affects the overall user experience is the inability to add new contacts to an existing group.
However, doing this is possible with a chat app like Facebook Messenger but impossible with a standard Android group messaging app. You have to start again and manually add each member of the previous group and then add the new members that you want to add.
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- Telegram launches group video calls and animations, a year later
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to Disable Group Messaging on Android?To disable group messaging on Android, you will need to go into Settings and then Advanced. Under the Group Messaging section, make sure you change the selection to the “mass text” option.Add Image- How Come Replies in the Group Message Come Back as an Individual Text?When replies in the group message come back as an individual text, your group messaging protocol could be mass text (SMS) instead of “group MMS.” When you send a group message that is a mass text, your phone uses the SMS protocol, and so replies will come to you only, and they come as individual text messages.Add Image
- How to Leave Group Message, or Stop Receiving Messages from a Certain Group?Technically, you can’t leave a group message, and you can’t delete yourself from a group messaging session. You can only stop receiving notifications from the group.
To do this, open your messaging app then hold down on the specific group message. Toggle the notification settings so your phone won’t receive any notification when it comes in.Add Image - Can androids use group Messages?Yes, even without the use of external online chat applications. However, this necessitates the MMS protocol, making it a more expensive choice. Navigate to Settings to convert group text settings to MMS.Add Image
Add New FAQ
Final thoughts
Is Group Messaging still relevant today? All of us will agree when we say that there are now better options to message a group. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp are good examples of this. However, for areas where a data connection is drastically poor, then a group MMS would be great.
Have you tried group messaging on Android? Is there a particular app that you use to make it easier? Share it with us in the comments section!
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Android Group Messaging 101: The Ultimate Guide in 2023
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How to Send Group Texts to iPhone Users from Android?
As long as you set the MMS settings correctly, you can send group messages to any of your friends even if they are using an iPhone or a non-Android device. When you send group messages using MMS, Apple will also use MMS via the iPhone user’s mobile carrier and displays the replies to the group via the iMessage app.
How to Disable Group Messaging on Android?
To disable group messaging on Android, you will need to go into Settings and then Advanced. Under the Group Messaging section, make sure you change the selection to the “mass text” option.
How Come Replies in the Group Message Come Back as an Individual Text?
When replies in the group message come back as an individual text, your group messaging protocol could be mass text (SMS) instead of “group MMS.” When you send a group message that is a mass text, your phone uses the SMS protocol, and so replies will come to you only, and they come as individual text messages.
How to Leave Group Message, or Stop Receiving Messages from a Certain Group?
Technically, you can’t leave a group message, and you can’t delete yourself from a group messaging session. You can only stop receiving notifications from the group.
To do this, open your messaging app then hold down on the specific group message. Toggle the notification settings so your phone won’t receive any notification when it comes in.
Can androids use group Messages?
Yes, even without the use of external online chat applications. However, this necessitates the MMS protocol, making it a more expensive choice. Navigate to Settings to convert group text settings to MMS.
Final thoughts
Is Group Messaging still relevant today? All of us will agree when we say that there are now better options to message a group. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp are good examples of this. However, for areas where a data connection is drastically poor, then a group MMS would be great.
Have you tried group messaging on Android? Is there a particular app that you use to make it easier? Share it with us in the comments section!
Where do I find what I downloaded from a text message from an iphone to my android?
Pat
Could you please rephrase your question please. I cannot understand.
If I use Group Me or SMS pro will all my iphone users need to install the app as well? Thanks
No the iphone users don’t have to install the app Andrew.
Thanks
What about Blackberry users? I tried the group method above on my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and it didn’t work. I see the group with all the recipients, and they all saw my message but they could not see the other people in the group, and when they replied it only came to me. I’m trying to group text my family and we have Android, iPhone and Blackberry phones. Blackberry is not compatible with GroupMe or even WhatsApp so I’m desperately looking for a solution, we currently use BBM and I hate it, too much spam.
Are you sure you’re sending an MMS? And Who didn’t get your replies ? The blackberry won’t get group messages regardless, ever . Who the hell still uses trash ass blackberry anyway lol ?
Lol. Hahaa
With Go sms pro when I send a group text and I get replies…will everyone in he group text see the replies from everyone?
Eric
Yes this should work fine if you go to settings, MMS settings then enable group messaging.
When I send group texts to everyone I know (from my DROID MAXX to a group entirely comprised of iPhone users) I do not receive any messages back whatsoever. They can carry on an entire conversation and I will no longer be in it. How is this fixed?
Matt,
Which app did you use?
I have not had SMS/MMS problems with iPhone users since Android 4.0. Use either the Google Hangouts app or the new Google Messenger app for MMS. They are both available in the Google Play Store.
The third party apps like GoSMS are not necessary anymore.
Will Google messenger allow me to send 100 texts but when people respond to only reply individually… And be able to change the setting to a group text where i would want everyone to respond in one place
Hi Carol,
Yes. You’ll need to change your settings to get replies individually. Go to Messenger – Advanced settings – Click on Group Messaging – Select “Send individual SMS messages to all recipients. Only you will get any replies” Hope this helps and thanks for commenting. =-)
Hi Carol:
My situation is a bit different. I have an android smart phone. At this moment, all that I need is to send a text message to one person, and the same text message to be sent at the same time to a second party as an email. At this time, the message is to be sent to just two parties (one party receives it as a text message, and the second party receives it as an email).
Purpose: for your worship house, I need to send a text message one member, but I need to copy the treasurer the same message as an email.
Please advise
M-USA
Hi Baba,
I don´t think that´s possible.
You could probably do it with Tasker, but you’d basically have to build the app yourself. One text input field and a send button that initiates two actions: one sending the text from the input field to a specific number, the second sending the text from the input field as the body of an email to a specific address.
I’d add some extra functions too: write the text field to a file every N seconds, as a backup and to be loaded automatically on scene open; this file could be cleared on successful sending. A button/automatic saving to a local text file as well. Autofill the email subject line, say “Automatic copy of txt to to treasurer, “.
Etc etc. Depending on your skill level and how polished the end result needs to be it could take from a few hours to a few days (even months) to create.
Yeah, but Go SMS is a great app and it works if you enable group messaging. You don’t HAVE to use it, but it works if you WANT to use it.
Sending group messages has always been enabled on my android phones. What’s up with this article. Just compose a new message click the contacts button and click more than one contact. Or you can manually enter them or you can simply reply to a message that sent to you and a group of people. 100% easy, always has been.
You can send a group text but you receive each reply individually And you can’t have a group discussion..it’s only one on one
**swoosh** sound of the point going over Seriously’s head..
Just because it works for YOU doesn’t meant that the issue in this article doesn’t exist.. SERIOUSLY?? you don’t KNOW that???
Group messaging has been available for Android for years. Just because you don’t know how to do it doesn’t mean it’s an issue… You don’t KNOW that???..
The Go SMS Pro app does not work with my Virgin Mobile phone. Are certain carriers unable to support group text???
Nicole,
I don’t have a phone on Virgin mobile, so I can’t test it out myself, but after a little research here are a few potential solutions:
go to settings. go to more settings. go to mobile networks. click on network mode. select cdma. it will reboot your phone. and it should allow you to send messages. Unfortunately cdma mode only works through 3g, so you have to sacrifice with this method.
Another possible solution: Settings>General>MMS Size Limit. Change the limit size to 1M if it’s not already there. Reboot the app and see if it works.
If these don’t work, look through the settings and try to find some MMS settings that might be causing the problem. Try writing up a bug report to Go SMS Pro to see if they can help you out.
I am having the opposite problem with my Android. My group texts don’t show other contacts, so when I respond to one contact, everyone gets it, but no one knows why they are getting the message because they don’t know they are on a group text. This is so annoying.
Hi Carolyn, that’s the issue with replying to a group text. It’s best to create a new message with that specific contact than replying to the group message. Otherwise, everyone who’s included in the group message will receive it.
Many android phones have a limit on the number of people you can text simultaneously. My current Samsung Note 2 has a limit of 10; a Sony Experia Z3 I’m considering buying has a limit of 50. The explanation here about how to create a Group for your contacts to enable group texting (sometimes called mass texting or multi texting) doen’t explain that many android phones have an inbuilt limitation on the number of people you can multitext in the software.
I have looked at Go SMS Pro; but users Feedback comments are scathing about the most recent upgrade.
I have also considered Handcent; but similarly, users are incredibly dissatisfied with the most recent update.
Both sites have comments about their most recent App updates that would make it impossible for me to use their App for my multitexts.
(I arrange wildlife rescues and need to text 100 people simultaneously. My current Samsung phone has a limit of 10 people per multitext; so I have to send the text 10 times; which is time consuming and frustrating.0
I don’t need to group chat; in fact it would be counter-productive. I haven’t looked into GroupMe yet; but will.
Any suggestions in the meantime?
Thanks
I am using 8sms as my texting app. I have no problems initially receiving group MMS msgs from iPhones. But I delete conversations on a daily basis. Once I delete the group MMS conversation I don’t get any new replies from any other iPhone recipients, if there are any. Furthermore, if I create a new group MMS with the same recipients, say a week later, I still don’t get replies from iPhones. It’s not until all group participants delete that group MMS thread, then I get iPhone replies. It’s frustrating. I guess the moral of THIS story is: don’t delete the group MMS threads! Lol
The moral of the story is: MAC does whatever the damn they want, and to stuff with industry standards :p.
Looks like we have to choice but to play by the the giants rules.
With go sms pro on a galaxy s3 andriod 4.4.2 , I cannot get group responses to my messages. When I send to iPhones it always come to them as individual text and same in return. I only get message from the original poster. Would really like to shut up my iPhone freinds but have never been able to make this work…
If i was involved in an existing imessage group and am now using an android, how to i get back into that existing group message?
Hey! Thanks for the breakdown. I have a question about GroupMe – I use GroupMe, but the main problem that my friends and I experience is that we can’t send pics/videos through it. so if I go into the thread in GroupMe and try to send a picture, they don’t receive it. If one of them goes into the group thread and then try to send a picture, they claim it never sends. Is this a typical problem with GroupMe, or could it be something else (perhaps my settings? I tried to go through to see if I needed to enable anything but found nothing)
Thanks!
Lena
While creating a group as explained in your article, all the nos listed in the particular contact i.e mobile no, office landline no, residence landline no etc get added in the group. Is it possible to select specific numbers say only mobile no frm the multiple numbers. Also incase the contact has 2 mobile nos can we select both or choose any 1 form the 2.
Which app should I use to send out group texts but without everyone seeing the replies, only myself? I get complaints about people receiving too many texts from unknown numbers.
Is there a way to additional participants to an existing group text? I have looked and find nothing. I’m using the Droid Turbo Maxx.
I installed Go SMS pro on my Moto X (verizon) and am still unable to receive some replies back when I group txt. Some groups work fine – others not at all. Sending the txt seems to be working – its the reply that I don’t always get.
Kris, when I tried it always worked. Go SMS pro released an update yesterday and this may have caused this issue. I can see a lot of negative ratings for this app. I am sure they’d fix this in the next release. However I’d ask you to delete the app and re-install it again. Sometimes this may fix the issue. Let me know if this works or not.
Is it true -if you switched to an android from iPhone. Your friends recognize your number as an iPhone user and responds with a iPhone messaget that you don’t get. I went to iTunes and dissociated my number with apple. I hear ithe takes awhile before your number is forgotten as an iPhone then your friends I phones will see you as an android and send correctmy formatted messages
Hi Nancy,
This was the case few months back. It drew a lot of press news mentioning that Apple intentionally locks down the users to their iMessage so that competing platforms like Android users suffer. However the good news is Apple responded and provided a way around for this. If you still use your iPhone you can go to Settings > Messages > iMessage > OFF.
If you have already switched to Android you can use this page from Apple website to deregister yourself. Hope this helps.
So android still hasn’t figured out a solution to this? I really don’t want to have all my friends download a app. The two things that bother me is when I “Reply to all” then my friends with iphones get my text individually. And the second thing I hate is how I get each group text from my friends separately so it all isn’t under one thread like how it should be. Unless there’s something I don’t know about. I have a Sony Z3, if anyone knows anything, I would be so thankful.
So android really hasn’t figured out a solution to this? The two things that bother me is when I “Reply to all” then my friends with iphones get my text individually. And the second thing I hate is how I get each group text from my friends separately so it all isn’t under one thread like how it should be. Unless there’s something I don’t know about, someone please help us out.
I wish I had this problem. I recently sent a group text thinking it would send to all recipients without them all seeing each other. Wrong. I have friends who hate each other now having access to each other’s info and my other friends see those two argue with each other in the group. Wish I knew how to delete the group conversation 🙁
Hi Feliro,
How unfortunate to hear about how some of your friends hate each other. Hopefully one day they can work it out. Were you using an app for group messaging?
what is the best phone SMS texting app I can use for my small business messages on my Android 4.4
thanks
Hi There,
I have heard great things about these apps, if you want to give them a try. I hope that they are what you are looking for. Thank you for your comment. =-)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.p1.chompsms&hl=
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.textra&hl=
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I have a Samsung note 3 Version 5.0 Android
I have about 1000 people I text to .
I have put them in a group and only want to announce upcoming events, etc by a mass text message that will go out to at least 250 at a time. I DO NOT NEED GROUP RESPONSE at all. I would prefer they respond back one at a time.
I would also like to find an app that will put their first name in so they think it is not a mass text being sent.
I have tried many and all real glitchy and bad.
Any suggestions?
Hi Richard,
I am not familiar with a messaging app that does exactly that, but if I come across one I will definitely let you know. =-)
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I was using Textra, but I have a contacts issue. I used a contacts optimizer and it messed up my groups so much that I could not get textra to send to a group – there would be 3-4 groups with the same name with partial group lists. I tried go sms pro and when I send a text out to the group, something is preventing the text from going out. I am a youth minister and have just had a very uncomfortable meeting with volunteers because I have been incommunicado. I use 2 google accounts on my computer and have found it difficult keeping the contacts on one separate from the other and I am not sure which pulls from my phone. Can you help?
Hi Paul,
Have you checked to see how your have your messaging app set up in settings? Maybe you can see what contact list it is using. =-) Hope this helps.
Does Group SMS allow you to import a contact list from a CSV file (or the like) ? Does each person receiving the group text have to be invited and subscribe?
I send out a weekly text message to 70 plus men. Some with android and some with iphones and of course various networks. The text is sent from a Galaxy S6 on Verizon network. I recently got the new phone in the past month. Prior to this I was using a Galaxy S3 and having no issues other than having to forward or resend the same text message out 4 times from the stock texting program. Since I have begun using the new phone I am still limited to sending the message to 20 people at once, but now the entire text is not being received by everyone. Some receive the entire message but some receive only a cut off version. Maybe some are receiving the message as an mms and some as an sms? So two questions would be how do I get the entire text message to go through to all recipients and a plus would be if I could send only one text message to everyone in my men’s group text. Thank you
Hi David,
On your new phone. are you using a certain app for group messaging or are you sending them directly from your phone? =-)
It is the messaging that comes with the phone. I have tried to download some other messaging apps, but I didn’t care for them much so I deleted them.
I have the texting that came with the Samsung. I guess you would call it the stock texting program? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi David,
If you were using an S3 before with no issues and with the S6 you are having them. There could be some incompatibility issues since I am guessing that the S6 has a more recent Android version than the S3. As you surely know that upgrades don´t always bring relief and have a tendency to also cause more issues. Have you considered using a texting app instead of the one that comes with the phone? =-)
I have tried a few texting apps, but they don’t seem to be as user friendly as the one that comes with the phone. I would welcome any recommendations. One that would allow me to text up to a 100 people at once would be great.
Hi David,
I haven´t tried it myself, But I have heard that this app works pretty well. Hope it works for you. =-)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imo.android.imoim&hl=en_GB
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On my Android version there is no “Group” selection in the contacts menu. It simply shows 4 options: Dial, Call logs, Contacts, and Favorites.
Is there any way other than downloading a 3rd party app to enable group messaging?
Hi Charles,
What Android version and device do you have? =-)
On my galaxy S4, whenever I receive a group text message from an iPhone, it shows up as an MMS. I can’t figure out how to reply to everyone in that group. It only gets sent to the sender. Is there a way to see everyone that the message was sent to and reply to everyone as well?
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Ok, so I opened GoSMS but where is menu?
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Have you tried long-pressing on the home button? =-)
Fastidious response in return of this issue with firm arguments and telling all about that.
What response are you referring to?
I would like to send a single text to a group and receive replies individually so my recipients phones aren’t alerting them to every response. Can I do this with android?
ITunes has an app called groups that does this. Also you can create and schedule future texts.
Is there a similar app for Android devices?
In some 3rd party apps like Go SMS and Chomp you can go into settings and turn off group messaging. You can still choose multiple recipients but texts are actually sent individually. Chomp fixed the issue for me. You may want to test it out to be sure it works like you want, though.
It is now 2017 and I am still having the issue with group texting with iphones. Any new updates?
Which device do you have and what exactly is the problem? Are you using the stock messaging app or one you downloaded?
My Samsung Galaxy S7 does well with group messages, so does my Nexus 5X using GoSMS Pro. You might want to look at your settings to see if there is a group messaging function setting that could be toggled. There is one in GoSMS Pro, but it may or may not fix your problem depending on the problem you are having.
2017 and I still can’t group text between mixed android/ios users. Pathetic really.
We have been using WhatsApp for group messaging among colleagues who are on the road and message many times throughout the day. It appears to be chewing into our mobile data however. Which of the above apps would you recommend to resolve this problem?
In all honesty, any group messaging app is going to use a good bit of data simply due to the way mobile networks handle group messages. I, personally, like Skype and Voice/Hangouts, but I don’t send enough group messages to really speak to their data draw being better than WhatsApp. Unfortunately, if your team is used to using WhatsApp (a very good choice for these things) then I’d advise to stick with it, as most any other app is going to have similar data issues. Sorry I can’t offer better news.
For something like this, you’re really going to need to utilize something like a forum. Discord is probably a good one to try.
There is 3 of us that group text 1-iPhone user and 2 android users, when one of the android users reply to message from iPhone user the other android user can not see what the other android user is saying. How can I see the other android user in the conversation. An error comes up when I type something, but the iPhone user sees my reply.
Hi, I have a S7 Edge and I need an app to send texts to parents of kids on my team without creating a mass of reply texts to the entire group. I guess what I need is an app that I can send a group text but to individual phones. My friend has an IPhone and uses Alco Blom Group SMS Version 4.5 for his team.
Can you help (please)?
Many apps will have an option to turn off “Reply all” settings when sending the message so that everyone doesn’t see every reply.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you
ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
A small number of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
Any number of things can cause browser incompatibility issues. Could you be more specific about exactly what problems IE users are having?
Is there a way to create a group from the people on an existing group text using the stock android texting app? Sorry if this was addressed above, I searched through but could not find it addressed.
Hey, Jason! If you want to text the same people in the group, simply use the existing thread. If you want to include others in the conversation or remove people from it, you can just go to the existing group and add or remove contacts. Let me know if you have any more questions.
My in-laws have iPhones and they have tried to add my number to the family group text but their phones won’t let them. Any solutions without having to resort to getting an iPhone?
Any of these apps would be a great solution, Rita!
But do your iPhone friends HAVE to get on those messaging apps as well? Like you’ve got to get everyone on the app correct?
Hi, Lauren! Actually, no, your iPhone using friends can continue to use their messaging app of choice.
When I try to add a group in Android contacts, it gives me the choice of creating it either under Backup Assistant Plus or Google. Google didn’t work, so I created it under BAP. And it shows that the group exists. But when I try to find the group in my contacts to send out a text, it is not in my contact list. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi, Keith. Is Backup Assistant Plus an app that you downloaded? If so, you may not be able to access the group you created except within the app. You may also need to make sure that BAP has the necessary permissions enabled to make a group and for you to access it. Could you expand on what happened when you tried to create a group using Google?
I have a Samsung J7 and my family all have I phones. Afyer a recent update they nowonly receive one third to a half of my text messages. Any ideas on how to fix this? The AT&T rep told me it was because iphone didn’t play well with Androids and uses I-messaging. The only suggestion was to buy an i-phone.
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment
(it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I
had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any suggestions for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
Nice idea I am also looking for the same that you shared in here nice post I am also looking at the same I am using both device iPhone or Android and your article very helpful for me.
Why does everyone always comment and say ‘I’m having the exact same issue as you are! My phone is doing the exact same thing as your’s is!” What’s the damn point in writing that? If you don’t have a solution or a fix for the problem then why are you even writing anything at all? There should only be one message saying what the problem is and then a whole bunch of answers or opinions or ideas or solutions. There are literally 30 replys and all of them say “I’m having the same problem.. Same problem here.. My phone is doing that too.. Me too.. I have the same phone as you and mine is doing that too..” I just don’t get it at all and it’s not just on this site, it’s literally every single forum on the entire internet! It’s so irritating. I have to scroll through like 30 of the exact same comments just to get to someone who’s posted something that may help my issue or someone who is actually talking about what actually might be causing the problem. STOP ALREADY! PLEASE!
A lot of people still prefer text messages as the best way to keep in touch with others. Well, they are quick and reliable. You can be almost sure that the message will reach the recipient.
Great Post, will like to link it.
Is there an Android app that does not support group MMS messaging at all, i.e. only does SMS texting?
Hi thank you for such very helpful information. Am starting a sms marketing business and that will really help me.
Great Post. You can also use bulk sms software to send messages in bulk.
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Thank you for the appreciation Rahul.
Thanks for this informative article. I was looking for a solution since long time. There are plenty answers are around but your article solved my issue. Thanks. Keep blogging.
If I send out an MMS group text from my Android phone, one of the people I list in the group does not receive the text. She has an iPhone X. What messaging setting on her phone is most likely the one blocking her receipt of my group texts? Other iPhones in the group are receiving the texts.
I just got added to a group text, the author created from her android and everyone seems to be receiving the text. There is one number listed under the group name and everyone is freaking because they think its a phone number (scam) and I think the group has some kind of ID number. How can I check that out. I did google the # and it did not come up as a valid mobile phone .
Hi Kate, Googling a phone number will not be helpful at all. Even if it’s a valid number, if it’s not registered to any company or person online, then it will appear as an invalid number. What you can do is block the number to stop receiving and prevent the group from sending anymore text messages to it.
How can I see previous messages from a group text that is no longer available?
Hi Donald, unfortunately, you can’t view previous messages anymore from a group text if it’s no longer available. You may need to view them using the phones by individuals who’s included in the group. Otherwise, you may have to use other means such as recovering deleted text messages.
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Hi there! Thank you so much!
Thank you for this clearly explained article. It validated that I have the correct settings (Group texting MMS enabled). I have a OnePlus and use the Messages app from Google. My success in sending and receiving group texts is spotty at best. Frequently, photos will not download. Sometimes text responses will not download, and occassional my responses will not upload to the group text. I get a perpertual “Sending…” status under the message to be sent. What is going on? How can I get group texting to function correctly? Any guidance would be most appreciated!
Very well explained article, appreciate your help!
Glad to hear, Themm
I have an android smartphone. I am a member of a text group and recently I’ve started getting replies from some members of the group, but I don’t get the original text (so I don’t know what the replies I do get are referring to). This has just started happening a couple weeks ago. I use Google Messages and Mysms and it happens on both. Any ideas?
I searched my entire phone and no results for “MMS”. Galaxy J7 Neo, Android 9.0.
Hi I’m having a problem I don’t know how to solve I accidentally made a group chat with most of my contacts being family and friends when I meant to just send the message individually to all those people and long story short especially since its late at night. Stuff went berserk and no matter how hard I explain some people are still texting/receiving late messages and even though I told them to mute then delete they are still acting crazy! I know this is personal but I’m only 14 and my whole family freaking out on me over this accident is really stressful especially with a LOT that’s been going on any suggestions on what I can do?
Hello Aramea, you can try to remove yourself in the group chat you created. This guide might help -> https://joyofandroid.com/how-to-leave-a-group-text-android/