How to make group chat with iphone and android

Messaging between iPhone and Android smartphones isn't a great experience — especially if it's in a group chat situation. It's been this way for years. One of the most pervasive irritations has been the way reactions to messages between iPhone and Android appear as text versions of themselves instead of "thumbs up" or "exclamation mark." It's annoying and clutters up your chat.

Fortunately, Google is working hard to make messaging between Android smartphones and iPhones a little bit nicer. As first reported by 9to5Google, Google has started to roll out a new feature to Google Messages app called "Tapbacks."

If you have an Android smartphone, Tapbacks will prevent message reactions from appearing as text versions of themselves that are sent as individual messages. Instead, they'll appear as a emojis next to the message (not as their own separate message) similar to how reactions appear between iMessage users. If you have an iPhone, these reactions from an Android message should appear just like they would from another iPhone user.

There are a few quirks in terms of converting the reactions between Android and iPhone; for instance, the "heart" and "exclamation marks" reactions on iMessage appears as a "smiling face with heart eyes" and "a face with an open mouth" reactions on Android, respectively. But the end result eliminate the extra messages that clutter a chat, so it's definitely a step in the right direction.

The catch, of course, that Android users need to be using the latest version of Google Messages. Google is rolling out its Tapbacks feature now to beta users. It's only available to some Pixel smartphones right now, but is expected to roll out to more Android smartphones in the near future.

Now more than ever our phones are our link to the outside world. Now that we’re spending more time at home, group chats are a perfect way to stay connected.

You’re probably even striking up conversations with old friends and family members you haven’t heard from in years.

We’ll show you how to set up group messages on your iPhone and some pro tips to make staying connected even easier!

How to send a group chat for iPhone

The iPhone Messages app supports three types of messages: iMessages, MMS and SMS. The app automatically selects the type of group message based on you and your recipients’ settings, network connection and carrier plan.

If you’re all iPhone users, iMessages it is. For groups that include Android smartphones, you’ll get MMS or SMS messages.

To send a group text, open Messages and tap the Create a new message icon. Tap the plus sign to add contacts or enter recipients’ names, type your message and hit Send.

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Manage your messages

If you have several group chats, each with several members, you need to know how to manage all those notifications. Don’t worry, it’s simple.

1. Eliminate the noise by muting the conversation

It’s not always the right time to chat, and you want to come back to conversation later without all the pings distracting you. Here’s how:

  • Launch Messages.
  • Swipe left on the group conversation you want to mute.
  • Tap Hide Alerts.

2. Stop notifications all together

Don’t just mute notifications but turn them off for good. Use this feature if your group texts are too much to keep up with but you’re not ready to leave the conversation just yet. Keep in mind, these settings will apply to all your group messages.

  • Go into Settings > Notifications > Messages > Notification Grouping and select Off.

3. Take your conversation to the computer

It’s much easier to keep up with a fast-moving convo using a full size keyboard, and setting it up is simple.

  • Launch the Messages app on a Mac. Sign in using the same Apple ID connected to your iPhone.
  • Go to Preferences > iMessage.
  • Click the box for Enable Messages in iCloud. Now your iMessages, SMS and MMS messages will automatically sync.

Staying in touch is essential, and group texts are a fun way to do it. Just make sure you manage all those conversations the right way.

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Can you group message with Android and iPhone?

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 do you add people to a group message on iPhone and Android?

You can only add someone to a group message if they're using an Apple device. If you want to add someone to a group message but they're using a non-Apple device, you need to create a new group message. That message will use SMS/MMS by default since someone is using a non-Apple device.

Can an Android join an iMessage group chat?

Yes, it's technically true that iMessage only works on iPhones and other Apple devices. But you can use a little (legal) hack to send and receive iMessages on your Android phone using third-party apps.