New group message appears in old group chat

When I sent a message to a group of 3 people, it showed as if I sent a message in a previous group chat with 4 people. I have checked, my phone says only three people are in this message thread. The individuals who I sent it to all confirm that it looks like I sent a message in the old group chat. Has this happened to anyone? The fourth person was someone that we are no longer in contact with, did they receive notification of the text? Is there anything that can be done.

iPhone 12, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 8, 2025 9:32 PM

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3 replies

Dec 8, 2025 9:37 PM in response to izcally289

Which Group message? Group SMS or Group iMessage:


Types of group text messages

The Messages app chooses the type of message to send automatically based on your settings, network connection and network provider plan. For example:

  • If all of the recipients are using Apple devices and iMessage is turned on, the group message will be sent as an iMessage.
  • If any of the recipients aren’t using iMessage, the message will be sent as an MMS or SMS. In iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, you can also send RCS messages. Find out the difference between iMessage, RCS and SMS/MMS


Dec 8, 2025 9:41 PM in response to izcally289

Have you named the Group Message?


Name a group conversation

You can name a group chat and choose an icon* to represent the conversation. Everyone who has turned on iMessage sees the new name and icon.

  1. Go to the Messages app  on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the group icon at the top of the conversation.
  3. Tap Edit, tap Edit Name & Photo, then choose an option.



Group SMS

These messages also appear in green text bubbles and go through your provider. Group SMS messages don’t support multimedia attachments, such as photos or videos.


All responses in a group SMS are sent as individual text messages, and the recipients can’t see the other responses from the group.


Find out how to forward SMS/MMS text messages across your devices, such as from an iPad to a Mac.

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New group message appears in old group chat

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