group text with iPhone, android

Group text is only possible between iMessage users. Android phones can only receive normal SMS messages. If you include an Android user in the group, the recipient will still receive the message, but the person cannot join the group or see what others are writing.

The best solution if everyone doesn't have iPhones is to use a 3rd party app, for example Facebook Messenger.

You can read more facts about group messages here:

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

You create a group that includes both iMessage and Android users, using the phone number of the ‘droid users. Some things to know:

• Group messages use MMS, not SMS, so you must have MMS enabled
• You create the group once with all of the members you want in the group
• Once created you cannot add or remove members
• Members cannot opt out once they are part of the group
• The above limitations apply to both iMessage and ‘droid users; that is, an iMessage user cannot leave the group or be added after the group is created
• There is a size limit to the group that is less than the 32 member limit for pure iMessage users, and the actual size limit depends on MMS limits of the carrier(s) hosting the ‘droid users.

So take JStoltnberg’s advice, and don’t use iMessage/MMS for groups. There are many other options, such as Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Google Meet, Skype… none of these have any of the above limitations.