How to enable group text on android

Instant messaging apps might’ve taken over but many people still rely on old technologies, especially when there’s no Wi-Fi or mobile data to use for WhatsApp, Telegram, or something else. And, some frequently use MMS to send and receive group messages on Android. Well, that’s exactly a topic we want to cover. Namely, some users report that, for one reason or another, they can’t send group messages on Android. If you are stuck with the same problem, check the steps we listed below.

Table of contents:

1. Enable MMS Group Messaging
2. Check APN Settings
3. Reset Network Settings
4. Check with your carrier

Unable to send group messages on Android Messages

1. Enable MMS Group Messaging

The first thing to do is to ensure that MMS Messaging is enabled in Messages Settings. Of course, if you are using Chat Features (RCS – Rich Communication Service) for advanced messaging over Wi-Fi or mobile data, this doesn’t apply. This applies only to users who want to send group messages via MMS, this and all other steps are for you.

You are met with two options when it comes to GSM group messaging. The first one is to send an SMS reply to all recipients and the other is to send an MMS reply to, you guessed, all recipients. Now, since the SMS option isn’t really group messaging you are looking for, you’ll probably want to enable the MMS option.

Here’s how to enable MMS group messaging on your Android:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on the 3-dot menu and open Settings.
3. Open Advanced.
4. Tap Group messaging.
5. Select Send an MMS reply to all recipients (group MMS).
   
   Group Text Message

   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.

   
   Open the messaging app and tap start chat

   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.

   
   Select individual contacts to add to group and give a group name

   Step 5:

   Once done, start typing your message and send it to them.

   
   Start typing and send the message in group

   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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   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.

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   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.

   
   Apple iPhone’s iMessage Group Messaging

   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.

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   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.

   
   Don’t Need an Internet Connection

   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.

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   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.

   
   Messaging app advanced settings

   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.

   
   Auto-downloading MMS makes sure you receive group messages immediately.

   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.

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   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. Google Messages
   2. Handcent Next SMS
   3. GroupMe
   4. Textra SMS

   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.

   
   Group messaging made easier
   

   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.

   

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   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.

   
   GroupMe App

   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.

   

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   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.

   
   Textra SMS app

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   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.

   

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   Problems with group messaging via MMS

   
   Disadvantages of Group Messaging

   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.

   Suggested reads:

   • Telegram launches group video calls and animations, a year later
   • 6 Discord Alternatives: List of Best Group-Chatting Apps
   • 5 Most Secure Messaging Apps For Android

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   Frequently Asked Questions

   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.

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   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!

   Why can't I send group texts on my Android?

   Go to the main screen of your messaging app and tap the menu icon or menu key (on the bottom of the phone); then tap Settings. If Group Messaging isn't in this first menu it may be in the SMS or MMS menus. In the example below, it's found in the MMS menu. Under Group Messaging, enable MMS.

   How do I enable Group Texting?

   To do this, open the Messages app and tap the three-dots menu, and select Settings. Then, go to Advanced and enable MMS under Group messaging.

   How do you get group messages to work on Android?

   Tap Settings, and then tap More settings. Tap Multimedia messages, and then tap the switch next to Group conversation. You can also find this setting by opening the desired group message and tapping More options (the three vertical dots). Then, tap the switch next to Group conversation.

   How do I set up group text on Android?

   Add or remove people to start a new group message.

   Open the Chat app or Gmail app ..

   Select an existing group conversation..

   At the top, next to the conversation name, tap the Right arrow. Start a new chat..

   Add or remove people from the existing group: ... .

   Tap Done ..