- The manual way: tag people one at a time
- Is there an @everyone in WhatsApp?
- Why tagging everyone often backfires
- Tagging from a phone versus a computer
- What if the person has muted mentions?
- Better options for big groups
- Writing a tag message that gets read
- Group etiquette that keeps people happy
- What the tag next to a member's name means
- Frequently asked questions
To tag someone in a WhatsApp group, type @ in the message box and tap their name from the list. Repeat for each person. Newer versions of WhatsApp are adding a way to mention everyone at once, sometimes only for admins or smaller groups, so type @ and see whether it appears in your version.
Tagging, which WhatsApp calls mentioning, is the way to get one person's attention in a busy group. It works for a whole group too, with a few caveats. Here's the short method, an honest answer on the tag everyone question, and some habits that keep people from muting you.
The manual way: tag people one at a time
- Open the group chat.
- Tap the message box and type the @ symbol.
- A list of group members pops up. Keep typing to narrow it down.
- Tap a name to add the mention to your message.
- Type @ again for the next person and repeat until you've tagged everyone you need.
- Write your message and send it.
Mentioned people get a notification, even if they've muted the group, unless they've turned that option off in their own settings. That's the reason tagging works, and the reason you shouldn't overuse it.
If a menu or option looks different in your version, check the app's settings for the word mention or notifications.
Is there an @everyone in WhatsApp?
The honest answer is: sometimes. WhatsApp has been adding an option to mention everyone in a group at once, but it comes with limits. In some versions it's available only to admins, and in some only for smaller groups.
The simplest test is to type @ in your group and look at the list. If you see an option to mention everyone or all, your version has it. If you don't, your version doesn't have it yet, and the first thing to try is updating the app.
Don't trust any website or app that promises a magic tag-all button. WhatsApp doesn't need a third-party app for this, and installing one is a good way to put your account at risk.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Small group, need everyone's attention | Use the mention everyone option if it appears, otherwise tag each person |
| Big group, general news | Pin a message or use an announcement group instead |
| Need one person only | Tag only that person |
| Option doesn't show after typing @ | Update WhatsApp, then try again |
Why tagging everyone often backfires
A group of ten can cope with a tag all. A group of hundreds can't. Every mention buzzes every phone, and people who get buzzed for things that don't concern them do one of two things: they mute the group, or they leave.
I'd think before tagging everyone for any of these.
- A message that only matters to a few people.
- A reminder you've already sent twice.
- Social chatter that doesn't need a reply.
- A joke. Not everyone will find it funny at the moment their phone lights up.
Tagging from a phone versus a computer
The steps are the same wherever you use WhatsApp. Type @, wait for the list, pick the name. On a computer you can keep typing the first letters of the name to narrow the list quickly, and on a phone you can tap straight from the list. Either way, check the name you picked before you send, especially in groups where two people share a first name.
A quick read-through also catches the classic slip: tagging the wrong person and sending them a message meant for someone else.
What if the person has muted mentions?
Some people turn off the setting that lets mentions break through a muted group. If you tag someone and hear nothing back, that may be why, and it's their right. Try a short private message instead, or give them time. Don't escalate by tagging them again and again.
Better options for big groups
For large groups, an announcement group in a Community or a pinned message is kinder than tagging everyone. A pinned message sits at the top of the chat where people find it when they're ready, without a buzz on every phone.
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If you're sharing news with lots of people and don't need them to reply, think about a one-way broadcast instead of a chat. Our guide on how to create a WhatsApp channel shows how to set one up.
Writing a tag message that gets read
A tag only gets attention for a second. After that, the words after it have to do the work. Put the name first, then say exactly what you need, then say when.
- Weak: "@everyone please see above." Nobody knows what to see.
- Better: "@Priya can you confirm the venue by Thursday?" One person, one job, one deadline.
- For a small group: "@Sam @Lee @Ana we're meeting at the cafe at six. Reply with a thumbs up if you can make it."
Those examples are made up, but the pattern works anywhere. If the tag is for several people, give them one simple way to answer, like a thumbs up or a single word. It saves a long thread of replies and it makes the answers easy to count.
Group etiquette that keeps people happy
- Tag people only when the message is about them or needs their answer.
- Say what you need in the message itself, so the person doesn't have to ask.
- Keep tags for time-sensitive things, not general chat.
- If you run the group, tell members the ground rules when they join.
- Don't tag people repeatedly if they haven't answered. Give them a day.
If you're building a group for a business or a community, the name and the welcome message set the tone. Our guide on what to name a business WhatsApp group gives ideas for names that attract the right members.
What the tag next to a member's name means
Not every tag in a group is a mention. If you've spotted a small label beside someone's name and wondered what that label means, our guide to what the add member tag means in WhatsApp groups explains it.
One last habit I'd recommend: before you tag a crowd, ask yourself whether you'd want that notification yourself. If the answer's no, find another way to share it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tag someone in a WhatsApp group?
Type @ in the message box, then tap the person's name from the list that appears. Their name is added to your message and they get a notification.
Is there a way to tag everyone in a WhatsApp group at once?
Newer versions of WhatsApp are adding a mention everyone option, sometimes limited to admins or smaller groups. Type @ and check the list. If it isn't there, update the app.
Do tagged people get notified if the group is muted?
Yes, mentioned people get a notification even if the group is muted, unless they turned that setting off.
What can I use instead of tagging everyone?
Pin a message, use an announcement group in a Community, or share news through a channel so you don't buzz every phone.
