Naming a group text on your iPhone 14 makes it easy to find (“Family,” “Soccer Parents,” “Trip Planning”) instead of scrolling for a list of names. You can also add a group photo or emoji. There’s one catch: naming only works in iMessage group chats (blue bubbles), where everyone uses an Apple device. This guide shows how, and what to do if the option doesn’t appear.
Quick Answer
Open the group conversation in Messages, tap the group icons or names at the top of the screen, tap Change Name and Photo, type a name, and tap Done.
Name an iMessage Group on iPhone 14
- Open Messages and tap the group conversation.
- Tap the profile pictures or names at the top of the chat.
- Tap Change Name and Photo.
- Type a group name in the text field.
- Optionally choose a photo, emoji, or initials for the group icon.
- Tap Done.
Everyone in the iMessage group sees the new name, and a note appears in the conversation saying you named it.
Why Can’t I Name My Group Text?
- It’s an SMS/MMS group (green bubbles): If anyone in the group uses an Android phone or has iMessage turned off, the group is a regular text group, which can’t be named on iPhone the same way.
- RCS groups: With iOS 18 and later, chats with Android users may use RCS instead of SMS. Group features in RCS depend on your iOS version and carrier; if you don’t see Change Name and Photo, the option isn’t available for that chat.
- Only two people: A one-on-one conversation can’t be named; add at least one more person.
- iMessage is off: Check Settings > Apps > Messages (or Settings > Messages) and turn on iMessage.
Other Group Chat Tips
- Add or remove people: In the group details, tap Add Contact or swipe left on a person and tap Remove (iMessage groups with four or more people).
- Mute a busy group: Turn on Hide Alerts in the group details.
- Pin the group: In the Messages list, swipe right on the conversation and tap the pin to keep it at the top.
- Leave the group: Tap Leave this Conversation in the group details (iMessage groups with at least three other people). See our guide to leaving a group text on iPhone.
Change or Remove a Group Name
Repeat the steps above, edit the name, or delete it to go back to showing members’ names. Tap Done to save.
Summary
- Open the group chat and tap the names at the top.
- Tap Change Name and Photo.
- Type a name, add a photo if you like, and tap Done.
- Naming works in iMessage groups where everyone uses Apple devices.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.