How to Create a WhatsApp Group (Phone, iPhone and Web)

A WhatsApp group is still one of the simplest ways to keep a small circle talking, whether that's the school run rota, a running club or your most loyal customers. It works well with clients and collaborators because almost everyone's already on the app, so there's nothing new to learn. Setting one up only takes a few taps, but the choices you make on the last screen, like the name, permissions and disappearing messages, decide how calm or chaotic the group feels later. Here's how WhatsApp's help centre says to do it on each device.

Make a new WhatsApp group on Android

1. Open WhatsApp and tap the New chat icon (the speech bubble with a plus sign).
2. Tap New group.
3. Search for or select the contacts you want to add. You can also add members later.
4. Tap the green arrow to continue.
5. Type a group name. WhatsApp's limit is 100 characters, and you can add an emoji.
6. Tap the camera icon to add a group icon from your camera or gallery.
7. Optionally, set Disappearing messages and Group permissions on the same screen.
8. Tap the checkmark to create the group.

WhatsApp's Android help page also mentions a shortcut: open an existing chat, tap More options and choose New group to start a group that includes that person.

Make a new WhatsApp group on iPhone

1. Open WhatsApp and tap the New chat icon.
2. Tap New group.
3. Search for or select contacts, or skip and add members later.
4. Tap Next.
5. Tap Group name (optional) and type a name of up to 100 characters.
6. Tap the camera icon to add a group icon, using Take photo, Choose photo or Emoji and sticker.
7. Set Disappearing messages or Group permissions if you want to.
8. Tap Create.

If you skip the name, WhatsApp uses a list of the people in the group as its name. I'd always give it a clear one, especially if it's for customers, so it stands out in a busy chat list.

Start a WhatsApp group from WhatsApp Web or desktop

1. Click the New chat icon at the top of your chat list.
2. Click New group.
3. Search for or select contacts, then click the arrow.
4. Click Group name (optional) and type a name.
5. Click Add group icon to choose a photo from your computer.
6. Use the dropdown under Disappearing messages and the Group permissions option if needed.
7. Click the checkmark to create the group.

WhatsApp group settings to choose on day one

Setting	What WhatsApp says it does	When I'd use it
Group name and icon	Names can be up to 100 characters	Always, so members can find the group quickly
Disappearing messages	New posts in the group vanish after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days	Short projects, events or anything sensitive
Group permissions	Controls what members and admins can do	Customer or community groups where you want admins in charge
Add other members	When on, members can create invite links; when off, only admins can	Turn off if you want to control who joins

If someone joins who shouldn't be there, my guide on blocking someone on WhatsApp explains what blocking does and doesn't stop.

Add people to your WhatsApp group by contact, link or QR code

You don't have to add everyone while setting up. WhatsApp lets you invite people afterwards in a few ways.

• From contacts: open the group, tap the group name, tap Add, choose contacts, then confirm. WhatsApp says contacts who don't have WhatsApp are sent an SMS invite.
• By link: in the group info, tap Invite via link or QR code. From there you can send the link through WhatsApp, copy it, send it by SMS or email, share it to your status, or share it through another app.
• By QR code: on the same screen, tap QR code to create a code people can scan.

If a link has spread further than you wanted, tap Invite via link or QR code, then Reset link, and the old link stops working.

Copy an existing WhatsApp group into a new one

WhatsApp has a handy option called Create Similar Group. Open the group chat, tap Group info, then Create Similar Group. You can untick anyone you don't want to include, add people from your contacts, and tap Create group. It's useful when a project group needs a smaller spin-off for a few decision makers.

Running a WhatsApp group for your customers

A group can work well for a small business, for things like a VIP list, a workshop cohort or a local club. A few habits I'd follow: tell people why you're adding them before you do it, keep admin rights to you and one trusted helper, and post the group's purpose in the description so new members know what it's for. If you want a fuller business setup, with a catalogue and business profile, my walkthrough on setting up WhatsApp Business through Meta covers that route.

Groups are also a handy place to share where you'll be for a meetup, and I've explained the two location options in my guide to sharing your location on WhatsApp.

If you can't create a WhatsApp group or add someone

• Check the person is saved in your contacts. On iPhone, WhatsApp says some names won't appear until you allow full access to your phone contacts in your iPhone's Settings.
• If the contact doesn't use WhatsApp, they'll get an SMS invite rather than being added straight away.
• Some people's privacy settings limit who can add them to groups, so an invite link may work better for them.
• Update the app if the New chat icon or New group option looks different. Menus vary by app version.

Frequently asked questions

How many people can be in a WhatsApp group?

WhatsApp's help centre says you can create a group with up to 1024 members.

Can I create a WhatsApp group without adding anyone?

Yes. WhatsApp's help page gives you the option to add members later when you create the group.

Does a WhatsApp group need a name?

No, the name is optional. If you leave it blank, WhatsApp names the group with a list of its members.

Can group members invite other people?

Only if Add other members is on in Group permissions. When it's off, only admins can create group invite links.

How do I stop an old WhatsApp group link working?

Open the group info, tap Invite via link or QR code, then Reset link. The old link no longer works.