Texting: Group Chats, Photos, and Voice Notes

Level up your texting skills — send photos, record voice messages, create group chats, and use WhatsApp like a pro.

4 min read · 6 steps · Checked March 2026

1. Step 1. iMessage vs SMS: what's the difference?

   On iPhone, blue bubbles are iMessages (sent over the internet, free, works between Apple devices). Green bubbles are SMS texts (sent over the phone network, may have a small charge depending on your plan). You'll also see "Delivered" or "Read" under iMessages — this tells you the message has been seen. SMS texts don't show this. If someone's iMessage is turned off or they're on Android, your iPhone will automatically send an SMS instead.

   Quick Tip

   If you're on an unlimited text plan (most UK plans are), the difference between iMessage and SMS doesn't matter much for cost.

2. Step 2. Sending photos and videos

   In any messaging app (Messages, WhatsApp, Messenger), tap the + or paperclip icon next to the text box. Choose "Photo Library" or "Camera." Select a photo from your gallery (or take one now) and tap Send. On WhatsApp: tap the paperclip → Gallery. Tip: if you're sending several photos, tap each one to select multiple before sending them all together.

   Quick Tip

   Large videos can be slow to send. WhatsApp automatically compresses videos. For sharing very large video files, use Google Drive or iCloud and share the link instead.

3. Step 3. Creating a group chat

   On iPhone Messages: tap the compose button (top right) → tap the To: field → add names one by one from your contacts → tap "New Message" (or the return arrow). On WhatsApp: tap the pencil/compose icon → "New Group" → add participants → tap the green arrow → name the group → tap Done. Group names like "The Family" or "Book Club" make it easy to identify who's in each group.

   Quick Tip

   In a group chat, everyone can see all the messages. If you want to message just one person privately, start a separate chat with them.

4. Step 4. Sending voice messages

   Instead of typing, you can record a voice message. In WhatsApp: press and hold the microphone icon on the right side of the message box. Speak your message while holding it, then release to send. Swipe left while recording to cancel. Swipe up while recording to lock it (so you don't have to keep holding). The recipient can listen at any time.

   Quick Tip

   Voice messages are brilliant when you have a lot to say, have trouble typing, or when tone matters. They're especially popular with older users who find the keyboard fiddly.

5. Step 5. Using emoji

   Emoji are the small pictures you can add to messages. Tap the smiley face icon on your keyboard (on the bottom-left or near the space bar) to open the emoji keyboard. Tap any emoji to insert it. Swipe left and right to browse categories — people, animals, food, activities, travel, objects, symbols, and flags. The recently-used row at the top shows your most common picks.

   Quick Tip

   You can react to a specific message in iMessage or WhatsApp: press and hold a message until reaction emoji appear. This is a quick way to reply without typing a response.

6. Step 6. WhatsApp tips

   WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the UK. Key features: blue ticks () mean your message has been read (single tick = sent, double grey tick = delivered). You can turn off read receipts in SettingsPrivacyRead Receipts. Star important messages: hold a message → tap the star. Find starred messages: SettingsStarred Messages. To mute a noisy group: press and hold the chat → Mute.

   Quick Tip

   WhatsApp Status lets you post a photo or short video visible to your contacts for 24 hours — similar to Facebook Stories. Tap the Status tab to see what your contacts have shared.