Creating a new group
1
Open the new conversation screen
Tap the compose icon in the bottom-right corner of the chat list.
2
Select New group
Tap New group at the top of the contact list.
3
Add members
Search for contacts by name or phone number and tap each person to add them. The member picker shows only Signal users. Tap Next when you have finished selecting members.
4
Name your group and set an icon
Enter a group name (required). Optionally, tap the camera icon to set a group photo — you can choose an image from your gallery, take a photo, or create an avatar. Tap Create to finish.
Signal groups use the Groups v2 protocol. All group membership and settings changes are end-to-end encrypted and replicated to every member.
Group settings
Open a group’s settings by tapping the group name at the top of the conversation.Who can add members
Controls which members are allowed to add new people to the group.
To change this setting, you must be an admin. Go to group settings and tap Edit group > Who can add members.
Who can edit group info
Controls who can change the group name, description, and avatar.Announcement-only mode
When announcement-only mode is enabled, only admins can send messages to the group. Regular members can read messages but cannot reply. This is useful for broadcast-style groups — announcements, newsletters, or large communities.1
Open group settings
Tap the group name at the top of the conversation, then tap Edit group.
2
Enable announcement-only mode
Toggle on Only admins can send messages.
Disappearing messages for the group
Admins can set a default disappearing message timer for the group. Members can see the timer but only admins can change it (if the group is configured to restrict attribute edits to admins). Open group settings and tap Disappearing messages to set a timer.Admin controls
Becoming an admin
Group creators are admins by default. Any admin can promote or demote other members.Promoting a member to admin
1
Open group settings
Tap the group name, then tap Members.
2
Select the member
Tap the member’s name to open their profile within the group.
3
Make admin
Tap Make group admin. A confirmation prompt appears. Confirm to apply.
Removing admin status
Follow the same steps as promoting, but tap Remove as admin instead.Removing a member
Admins can remove members from the group.1
Open the member's profile within the group
Tap the group name > Members > tap the member.
2
Remove from group
Tap Remove from group. The member is removed immediately and a system message appears in the conversation. The removed member can no longer send or receive messages in the group.
Removing a member does not prevent them from being re-added by another member (or themselves via invite link) unless you also revoke the group invite link or restrict who can add members to admins only.
Banning a member
Admins can ban a member to prevent them from rejoining via an invite link.1
Open the member's profile within the group
Tap the group name > Members > tap the member.
2
Remove and ban
Tap Remove and ban. The member is removed and blocked from rejoining through any invite link.
Leaving the group as the sole admin
If you are the only admin and want to leave, Signal will prompt you to assign at least one other member as admin before you leave. Select a replacement admin and tap Leave group.Group invite links
Invite links let anyone join the group without being added directly by a member or admin.Creating or enabling an invite link
1
Open group settings
Tap the group name at the top of the conversation.
2
Tap Group link
Under the settings section, tap Group link.
3
Enable the link
Toggle Group link on. A shareable link is generated.
4
Share the link
Tap Share link to send it via Signal, copy it to the clipboard, or share it through any app.
Requiring admin approval to join
You can configure the invite link so that joining requires admin approval rather than granting immediate access. On the Group link screen, enable Require admin approval. When someone uses the link, their request appears under Pending requests in group settings. Admins can approve or deny each request individually.Revoking an invite link
Revoking the link invalidates it so no new members can join through it. Existing members are not affected.1
Open group settings > Group link
2
Tap Reset link
Tap Reset link (or Revoke link). Confirm when prompted. A new link is generated if you re-enable the group link later.
Disabling the invite link entirely
Toggle Group link off on the Group link settings screen. This disables the link without generating a new one.Group calls
You can start an encrypted group call directly from the group conversation.1
Open the group conversation
2
Tap the video or phone icon
Tap the video camera icon (for a video call) or phone icon (for a voice call) in the top-right corner of the conversation. A system message appears in the group notifying all members that a call has started.
3
Members join
Group members tap Join in the system message or in their notification to join the call.
All audio and video in group calls is end-to-end encrypted. Group members can join by tapping the call banner in the conversation.
Leaving a group
1
Open group settings
Tap the group name at the top of the conversation.
2
Scroll down and tap Leave group
Confirm in the dialog that appears.
- You no longer receive messages from the group.
- Any scheduled messages you had queued for the group are deleted.
- Other members see a system message that you left.
- You can be re-added by a member (unless group settings restrict adding to admins only), or you can rejoin via an active invite link if one exists.