TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app makes it easy to watch, create, and share fun videos with friends, family, and the wider TikTok community.
One feature that many TikTok users have been asking for is the ability to create group chats. Group chats allow you to communicate with multiple people at once and share videos in one place.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making group chats on TikTok, including:
Key Takeaways:
- TikTok began testing group chats in late 2021, but they are not yet available to all users.
- There are two ways to create a TikTok group chat: through the inbox and using the share button on videos.
- Group chats are only possible among mutual friends over age 16.
- If you can’t create a TikTok group chat, it likely means the feature has not rolled out to your account yet.
- While group chats are limited, you can still share TikTok videos in group texts, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp, etc.
- Keep the TikTok app updated to gain access to group chats as soon as the feature fully launches.
What Are TikTok Group Chats?
A TikTok group chat allows you to communicate with multiple friends on TikTok in the same conversation. You can send text messages, photos, videos, and reactions just like in one-on-one TikTok chats.
With group chats, you don’t have to send TikTok videos individually to each friend. You can share a funny video once and allow your whole group of friends to view and react to it.
Group chats make it much easier to have conversations and share content with a group of people on TikTok. Rather than constantly @ mentioning different friends in the comments of videos, you can simply discuss the videos together in your group chat.
When Did TikTok Add Group Chats?
In November 2021, some TikTok users began seeing the ability to start group chats on the app. However, this feature was only released to a small test group of users.
As of October 2022, TikTok group chats are still not available to most users globally. The feature is likely still in the experimental and testing phases of development.
TikTok has not officially announced when group chats will launch for everyone. But since group messaging is a standard feature on competing apps like Snapchat and Instagram, many experts believe TikTok will expand group chats to all users soon.
For now, creating a TikTok group chat is only possible for select testers that have early access to the feature.
Who Can Use TikTok Group Chats?
Based on initial reports, there are a few limitations around who can create and join TikTok group chats:
- You must have mutual friends – To start a group chat, you and the other members must follow each other on TikTok. You cannot add strangers.
- Recipients must be 16+ – TikTok does not allow users under 16 years old to be added to group chats. This protects minors from potentially dangerous conversations.
- Random selection – As mentioned above, group chats are only enabled for certain test users right now. TikTok seems to be randomly selecting accounts to try the group chat capability.
So in summary, you can only create a TikTok group chat with mutual friend connections over 16. The feature is not yet available to all accounts.
How to Make a TikTok Group Chat (Two Ways)
If you are one of the lucky testers with access to TikTok’s group chat feature, there are two ways you can create a new group conversation:
1. Create a Group Chat in Your TikTok Inbox
1. Open the TikTok app and tap the inbox icon on the bottom navigation bar.
2. Tap into any existing 1-on-1 chat with a friend.
3. In the top right corner, tap the three dots menu.
4. Select “Create a Group Chat”.
5. Check the boxes next to each friend you want to include.
6. Tap Create at the bottom.
This will open a new group chat with your selected friends. Now you can start messaging!
2. Use the Share Button on a Video
1. When viewing a video you want to share, tap the arrow share icon.
2. Select multiple friends to share the video with by tapping their profile icons.
3. You should then see a pop-up saying “Create group chat with friends”
4. Tap Send to create the group and share the video.
The video you selected will be shared into your new group chat.
Troubleshooting TikTok Group Chats
If you are unable to create a TikTok group chat using the steps above, here are some common issues and solutions:
Problem: You don’t see the “Create Group Chat” option.
Solution: The group chat feature has likely not rolled out to your TikTok account yet. Make sure you have the latest version of the TikTok app and try again later.
Problem: You can’t add certain friends to the group chat.
Solution: Verify that the friend is over 16 and that you mutually follow each other on TikTok. You cannot group chat with strangers or underage users.
Problem: You created a group chat but don’t see the option anymore.
Solution: TikTok could be testing group chats as a limited-time feature for select accounts. Stay tuned for updates on when it will launch permanently.
Problem: Some friends can’t see the group chat messages.
Solution: They likely don’t have access to the feature yet. Make sure they update the TikTok app to the latest version and try again later.
Tips for TikTok Group Chats
While waiting for TikTok group chats to launch fully, here are some tips to enhance the experience:
- Name your group chat – Add a fun name so it’s easy to identify in your inbox.
- Share videos – Take advantage of being able to share TikTok videos in one place.
- React to messages – Use TikTok’s reaction options like hearts, laughter, applause, etc.
- Mention friends – You can still @ mention friends to get their attention or have side conversations.
- Turn on notifications – Enable notifications so you never miss a message from your TikTok group.
- Leave when needed – If the group chat is no longer useful, you can leave at any time.
Alternative Ways to Group Chat with TikTok
If TikTok group chats are not available in your region yet, here are some alternative options for messaging TikTok videos to multiple friends:
- WhatsApp – Share a TikTok video link in an existing WhatsApp group or start a new group chat.
- Facebook Messenger – Use Messenger to share TikTok videos in group conversations.
- Telegram – Telegram has robust group chat features perfect for sharing TikTok videos.
- Group text – On iOS or Android, start a group iMessage or SMS text chat and paste in TikTok video links to share.
- Instagram – Use Instagram DM to create group chats for sharing TikTok videos with friends.
- Discord – Join a Discord server with friends or create your own to chat about TikTok videos.
- Email – As a last resort, you can paste TikTok video links into group email chains with your contacts.
The benefit of TikTok group chats is that everything is contained within the TikTok app. But the workaround platforms above allow you to achieve a similar result until the feature launches for all users.
The Future of TikTok Group Chats
TikTok group chats are expected to roll out more widely in 2024 and beyond. As the feature comes out of testing, here are some ways TikTok may expand and improve group messaging:
- Allow larger group sizes beyond just a few friends
- Integrate group video chatting or live streams
- Add custom group chat profile photos
- Allow admins to remove members from groups
- Enable groups across mutual and non-mutual friends
- Support sharing links, photos, emoji reactions, and more
- Create shareable group chat invite links
There is a lot of potential for TikTok to develop robust group chat features like those available on Meta’s apps. Enabling effective group communication can help TikTok continue to compete with other major social platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Group Chats
Here are answers to some common questions about the TikTok group chat feature:
How do I make a group chat on TikTok?
Currently, you can create a TikTok group chat by going to your inbox and selecting “Create Group” or by using the share button on a video to message multiple friends. However, this feature is still limited.
Why can’t I make a TikTok group chat?
If you can’t create a group chat, it likely means TikTok has not yet given your account access. The feature is still in early testing phases. Make sure the app is updated and try again later.
Can underage users join TikTok group chats?
No, TikTok does not allow users under 16 years old to participate in group chats. This is an safety precaution for minors on the platform.
How many people can be in a TikTok group chat?
So far in testing, TikTok seems to allow group chats of up to 10 people. It’s possible this number may increase once the feature officially launches.
Can I leave a TikTok group chat?
Yes, you can leave a TikTok group chat at any time. Just open the group in your inbox and select “Leave Group” from the menu.
How do I add members to an existing TikTok group chat?
As of now, there is no option to add members once a TikTok group chat is created. But this useful feature may be added later as group chats develop.
Can I share videos in a TikTok group chat?
Yes! One of the best uses for TikTok group chatting is being able to easily share funny or interesting videos with multiple friends at once.
Conclusion
TikTok group chats will allow for deeper connections and conversations between friends on the platform. While the feature is limited right now, it shows great promise as TikTok continues to evolve its messaging capabilities.
Be sure to keep the TikTok app updated to gain access to group chats as soon as they expand. In the meantime, you can use alternative messaging apps to achieve group communication around TikTok videos.
Have fun chatting with groups of friends on TikTok when the new messaging option arrives! Let us know if you have any other questions.
