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Group Messages to both iOS and Android devices

We want to set up a Group for our Church Safety Team that would allow a Message to be sent to the whole group if an emergency arises while in the building. We are able to add iOS users to the Group but not Android users. Is that possible?


Thanks for any guidance you can provide.



iPhone X

Posted on Jul 18, 2020 8:19 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 22, 2020 2:36 PM

Hey Jharcler,


Thanks for the reply and question. We're happy to clarify.


The rules for group messages is different for a group containing all Apple device users, than it is for a mix of Apple devices and non Apple users.


When you set up a group that will have some non Apple users, you need to set the group up with everyone whom you want to invite.


Only with a group iMessage (blue bubble) which is all Apple users, can new members be added to or removed from the group.


This article has a great explanation about group messages, iMessage and SMS/MMS:

Send a group text message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


We hope this helps!


Thanks!



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 22, 2020 2:36 PM in response to Jharcler

Hey Jharcler,


Thanks for the reply and question. We're happy to clarify.


The rules for group messages is different for a group containing all Apple device users, than it is for a mix of Apple devices and non Apple users.


When you set up a group that will have some non Apple users, you need to set the group up with everyone whom you want to invite.


Only with a group iMessage (blue bubble) which is all Apple users, can new members be added to or removed from the group.


This article has a great explanation about group messages, iMessage and SMS/MMS:

Send a group text message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


We hope this helps!


Thanks!



Jul 22, 2020 6:41 AM in response to Jharcler

Hello Jharcler,


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! We see you have a question about group messages, and we'd like help.


You can create a group message with Android users. Instead of it being iMessage (blue bubble), it will be SMS/MMS (green bubble). Send a group text message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


However, all of the users, including the Android, user needs to be included when you create the group.

"You can’t add or remove people from a group conversation if one of the users in the group text is using a non-Apple device. To add or remove someone, you need to start a new group conversation."


Take care!

Group Messages to both iOS and Android devices

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