How to create a WhatsApp group: step by step, plus what to set up before inviting people
The steps on every device and, more importantly, the settings that prevent spam, chaos and rework once the group fills up.
Direct answer: To create a WhatsApp group, open the Chats tab, tap New chat (the chat bubble or + icon), choose New group, select participants, give the group a name and confirm. Before inviting more people, add a description with the rules and set permissions (who can send messages and edit group info), member approval and who can share the invite link.
In short:
- Creating takes under a minute; the initial setup decides whether the group works.
- Turn on member approval and restrict who edits group info before sharing the link.
- Big groups need help: a bot handles welcomes, anti-spam and recurring announcements.
How to create a WhatsApp group, device by device
| Device | Path |
|---|---|
| Android | Chats > new chat icon > New group > pick contacts > arrow > name and photo > confirm |
| iPhone | Chats > + (new chat) > New group > pick contacts > Next > name > Create |
| WhatsApp Web / desktop | New chat icon > New group > add contacts > arrow > name > confirm |
| WhatsApp Business | Same path as the regular app; groups work the same way |
Since August 2026 you can also create a group from an existing group, reusing its members instead of adding them one by one, as WhatsApp explains in its official announcement.
Don't want to add people without asking? Create the group with a few trusted people (for example, your co-admins) and invite everyone else via link. Only people who want to be there join, which also reduces reports. See how to create and share the group link.
7 settings to change before you invite people
They are all in Group info (tap the group name) and Group permissions, as described in the WhatsApp Help Center.
- A clear name and photo. The name shows on the invite and in search. Need ideas? Use our list of group names.
- A description with the rules. Say what the group is for and what is not allowed. Templates in WhatsApp group rules.
- Edit group info: admins only. Stops people from changing the name or photo as a joke or scam.
- Send messages. Everyone for chat groups; admins only for announcement groups.
- Approve new members. People who use the link wait in a queue until an admin approves them.
- Who can invite via link or QR code. In larger groups, admins only.
- More than one admin. Promote at least one trusted person. If the only admin leaves, WhatsApp picks another member at random.
How many people fit and other limits
A group can have up to 1,024 members, according to the Help Center. If you add many contacts to groups in a short time, WhatsApp may ask you to wait 24 hours before adding more. Other limits (communities, broadcast lists, forwarding) are in WhatsApp limits in 2026.
Creating a group for sales, customers or work
The steps are the same, but the care is different: customer groups should only include people who asked to join. Share the link instead of adding contacts from your phone book, set messages to admins only if the group is for offers and announcements, and write the rules in the description. For a read-only audience, compare with communities and channels. For affiliate deals, see how to run a deals group.
Automate from day one
Group problems show up as it grows: links to other groups, flooding, people who never read the rules. With 9bot you connect a number, add it to the group as admin and turn on automatic welcomes, anti-link, anti-spam with strikes and scheduled messages. Steps in how to add a bot to a WhatsApp group. 7 days free, then US$35/month for the first 3 months and US$70/month after.
Read also
FAQ
How do I create a WhatsApp group on my phone?
Can I create a group without adding contacts from my phone book?
How many people can be in a WhatsApp group?
How do I create a group in WhatsApp Business?
What should I set up right after creating a group?
