A group on Instagram is a group chat in your messages. Start a new message, pick two or more people and send the first message, and the group is created (Instagram Help). Most group chats can hold up to 250 people (Instagram Help).
Create a group chat
- Open your messages (the paper plane icon).
- Tap New message.
- Select two or more people and tap Create group chat (ContentStudio).
- Write the first message and send it.
It works the same way on iPhone and Android, and in messages on instagram.com (Instagram Help). Icons move a little between app versions, so look for the labels.
Name the group and manage people
- Name it: tap the group name at the top of the chat to open its details. Only groups of three or more people can have a name (Instagram Help).
- Add people: from the chat details, in groups of three or more (Instagram Help).
- Remove someone: admins only. In the chat details, tap the three dots next to the person and remove them from the group (TechWiser).
- Add admins: whoever creates the group is its admin and can make other members admins too (Instagram Help).
Invite people with a link or QR code
Admins can share an invite link to the group and control who can join through it (Instagram Help). Since February 2025 the invite can also be a QR code: open the invite link option, choose QR code, and share or save it (TechCrunch). Admins can refresh the code at any time (Meta).
Leave a group, or stop being added
To leave, open the chat details, tap Leave and confirm. You can leave at any time (Instagram Help). Deleting the chat only clears it from your inbox and doesn’t take you out of the group (TechWiser).
To choose who can add you to groups, go to the menu > How others can interact with you > Messages and story replies > Message requests > Who can add you to group chats (NapoleonCat).
Group chat, broadcast channel or Close Friends?
- Group chat: everyone in it can write. Up to 250 people in most groups.
- Broadcast channel: public and one to many. Only the creator sends messages, and followers can react and vote in polls (Instagram). You need a professional account to start one (Adobe).
- Close Friends: not a chat. It’s a list of people who see the stories, notes and reels you share only with them (Instagram Help).
Pinned messages, encryption and Active Status
- You can pin up to three messages in a chat and schedule a message up to 29 days ahead (Meta, TechCrunch).
- Meta said Instagram would stop supporting end-to-end encrypted chats after May 8, 2026 (Euronews).
- The green dot and “Active now” label can show in your chats. To hide them, see how to turn off Active Status on Instagram.
FAQ
How many people can be in an Instagram group chat?
Most group chats can have up to 250 people.
Can I make a group chat on a computer?
Yes. Start it the same way in your messages on instagram.com.
Why can’t I name my group?
A chat needs at least three people before it can have a name.
Can someone add me to a group without asking?
That depends on your settings. Change it under Who can add you to group chats.