How to Text Multiple People at Once

• Make sure the group members want to be in a group text before you add them.
• Ensure that you have group messaging enabled on an iPhone.
• Since group messaging can be unwieldy on some phones, try using a third-party app like WhatsApp or GroupMe.

Using an iPhone

Decide if you want to send individual messages or group messages. iPhones have the nice feature of being able to send "Group Messages" or individual text messages to multiple people. A group message allows you to send messages to multiple people at once. It sets up a "group chat". This means that if someone you messaged replies, they will be replying to the whole group. The whole group will also be able to see other members. This works using iMessage and thus will only work if all people in the group have iPhones. Individual messages are good when you want to send the same message to multiple people (e.g. "Happy Thanksgiving!" or "Remember the meeting at 6") without starting a group chat and therefore causing people to see all the message receivers and get replies from them.

Turn "Group Messaging" on or off. This should be on if you want to send a group message and off if you wish to send individual messages. This setting can be accessed by first tapping on the "Settings" icon on your home screen. Scroll down and tap on the "Messaging" option. Scroll down to the "Group Messaging" option and turn it on or off as desired.

Enter the people you wish to include in the group message. To do this, first open a new message. Then enter all of the names or phone numbers of people you wish to message. In more detail: Click the "Messages" icon on your home screen. Start a new message by clicking the new message icon which is a pad and pen, in the upper right corner of the Messages screen. Your cursor will automatically be in the "To:" line of the message. Either type names of people in your contacts and select them from the options that will show up or directly enter their numbers here. The cursor should remain in this section until you choose to move on to the message section.

Enter your message and hit send. Recall that the message is entered in the bar or space at the bottom of the message screen. Once you top on it, your keyboard should pop up and allow you to type any message you desire.

Using an Android Phone with a Contact Group

Set up a "Group Contact". Go into contacts and his the "Groups" tab or button. Click the icon to create a new group. Give the group a useful name. Add members to the group.

Start a new message.

Add your contact group to the message. The contact group can now be selected directly from contacts to be the recipient of your message.

Type your message and send!

Using a Non-Smart Phone

Start a new message.

Add your first contact, either by typing in the name and selecting from your contacts or directly typing in the number, and then hit enter.

Add the next contact. The problem with old phones is that after entering the first person you would like to send the message to, they often take you directly to the space where you type the message content. This may make it seem as if you cannot add another contact-but that is incorrect! Hit the up arrow to return to the list of contacts receiving the text message. Now you can ad more contacts to the list. This list is typically a number list of names or numbers, so you should see your first contact in the "1." space and type the next one in the "2." space.

Type your message and hit send!

Creating a Group Message Using a Website or App

If you would like to send and receive messages from a collective group of people (who will also see each other and all messages) you may consider setting up a group messaging system through an app or website.

Choose an app or website. There are many to choose from, such as GroupMe. This one allows you to send SMS text messages to the group, not just messages over the internet.

Set-up and Download. Do as instructed.

Start sending group messages!

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