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Sure, group messages are fun and convenient—but things can get awkward pretty fast when the messages come in separately, giving you the impression that someone’s sending you a private message.
Lucky for you, this issue is nothing new; what’s more, there are effective ways to settle this issue once and for all. In this post, we’ll walk you through the top six picks to put a stop to the situation so you better read up.
Why are the group messages coming separately on my Android phone?
Group messages may come as separate responses on your Android phone due to multiple known reasons. Below’s a quick rundown of these reasons so you can get a good grasp of what’s causing this issue on your phone and how you can fix it:
- Your Android phone’s messaging app isn’t configured to send and receive text messages as a group.
- The messaging app on your Android phone is faulty or outdated.
- Your Android phone’s system software is outdated.
Based on this, any action addressing the abovementioned problems should help stop group messages from coming separately on your Android phone. Continue below to find out our recommended troubleshooting tricks for these Android issues.
Fixing the Android Group Text Message Issue Causing Messages to Go to Each Person Individually
The solutions below should work on all Android phones, but there will be some differences between the built-in messaging apps of every device. We recommend you apply them in the order presented here for the best results.
FIX 1. Use Google’s Messages app
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone • A working internet connection |
The messaging app you use is often the prime reason why group messages come in separately on Android phones. In such cases, using an alternative app, such as Messages by Google, is one way to address this problem on any Android device.
Since most of the newer Android phones already come preinstalled with Google’s Messages app, this shouldn’t be an issue with many users. Even if your phone doesn’t have the Messages app, you can install it from the Google Play Store.
This app is also free to download and use, so you don’t have to worry about paying a subscription fee. Plus, you know that it’s a safe app to download and install on your phone since it’s from Google, the developer of the Android operating system.
It ticks all the boxes for what an excellent alternative messaging app should be. Thus, whenever you have issues with your Android phone’s default messaging app, Messages by Google should be your go-to second option, if not the first.
Step 1: Go to your Android phone’s Google Play Store app.
Step 2: Tap the Google Play Store’s search function.
Step 3: Type “Messages” and click the app’s name in the text suggestions.
Step 4: Click the Install button next to the Messages app to download it on your Android phone.
Note: It says “Open” in this example since the app comes preinstalled on some Android devices.
Step 5: Wait for your Android phone to finish the app installation.
Once installed, try using Messages by Google to send your group messages and see if they’re still coming separately on your Android phones. If they do, we suggest moving to the other solutions listed below.
FIX 2. Configure your messaging app’s group message feature
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 20 seconds |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone |
Another thing you must consider doing is configuring the group message feature of your messaging app. After all, having it turned off could be why you receive group messages separately on your Android phone, even with Messages by Google.
By default, most messaging apps that send a group text will separate the replies you receive to prevent confusion. You must configure your messaging app to assemble the responses from the recipients of the group messages you’re sending out.
For example, you can do this on the Messages by Google app by selecting the option to send your MMS replies to all recipients as a group. This will create a group MMS where all responses will be stored instead of having them as separate.
Please note that this example may be inapplicable to other Android messaging apps. We recommend checking your phone’s user manual to find out how to configure group messages on its built-in messaging app.
Step 1: Open your Android phone’s Messages by Google app.
Step 2: Tap your profile icon in the app’s upper-right corner.
Step 3: Go to Messages Settings.
Step 4: Select the registered phone number you want to customize.
Step 5: Go to Group messaging.
Step 6: Select the second option to send your replies as MMS to all selected recipients.
FIX 3. Update your phone’s messaging app
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone • A working internet connection |
When it comes to any mobile application, using the latest version is always the best way to reduce the likelihood of an error. We recommend checking the Google Play Store to see if your messaging app has a version update you need to download.
This step is also an excellent solution for most app issues, not just when group messages come separately on your Android phone. After all, using an outdated app is the root cause of various errors and system malfunctions.
Plus, updating the app allows you to address compatibility issues between the messaging app and your Android phone.
This method works well with the previous solution, as both are needed to make group messages work as intended. It’s because no amount of configuration changes will work on an application that has faults to begin with.
Step 1: Go to your Android phone’s Google Play Store app.
Step 2: Tap on your Google account’s profile icon.
Step 3: Open the Play Store’s Manage Apps & Device section.
Step 4: Click Updates Available to check if your messaging app needs a software update.
Step 5: Click the Update button next to your messaging app to download its latest version update.
Step 6: Wait for your Android phone to finish the update installation.
FIX 4. Reinstall your phone’s messaging app
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 12 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 60 seconds |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone • A working internet connection |
Speaking of faults on your messaging app, one way to combat this is to reinstall it. Doing so will help correct any error in the app’s installation, which is one of the most common reasons apps misbehave or malfunction in the first place.
We recommend you try this solution if updating the latest version of your phone’s messaging app doesn’t fix the problem. This action also guarantees you have the newer version of the app installed on your Android phone if it’s outdated.
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down and open the Apps menu.
Step 3: Select Manage Apps.
Step 4: Select your messaging app.
Step 5: Click Clear Data.
Step 6: Select “Clear cache” first and then choose the option to “Clear All Data” afterward.
Step 7: Go to your Android phone’s Google Play Store app.
Step 8: Tap the Google Play Store’s search function.
Step 9: Type “Messages” and click the app’s name in the text suggestions.
Step 10: Click Message by Google to open its information page.
Step 11: Click Uninstall to remove the app from your Android phone.
Step 12: Re-download the Messages by Google app to install it on your Android phone again.
FIX 5. Update your phone
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone •A working internet connection |
Like your messaging app, you must constantly update your Android phone’s software to its latest version. The update allows it to work better with your apps and prevent compatibility issues.
Thus, we recommend this solution when simply updating or reinstalling your phone’s messaging app doesn’t fix the problem. After all, ensuring that your Android phone works in its best condition is the ideal way to fight against errors before they start.
Follow the following steps to update your phone:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down and open the Software Update menu.
Step 3: Select the Download and Install option to download the system update using your Android phone’s mobile data or WiFi connection.
Step 4: Click Install Now to apply the system update after it finishes downloading on your Android phone.
FIX 6. Factory reset your phone
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 7 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | • An Android phone •A PC |
When push comes to shove, a factory reset is the best way to troubleshoot a problematic Android phone or faulty app. This solution is the ultimate answer to most known issues involving your Android phone and its apps.
However, we only recommend performing this action after trying the abovementioned solutions. After all, the factory reset has a significant caveat: it wipes all the data stored on your phone.
As such, you should always consider this method as your last-ditch attempt to troubleshoot your Android phone and its messaging app.
Fortunately, most Android phones allow you to back up your saved data for easy restoration after the reset. You can take advantage of this so you don’t have to start over again and go through the hassle of re-downloading all your favorite apps.
Step 1: Go to the power menu after pressing and holding the device’s power key.
Step 2: Tap the Power Off icon to turn the phone off and connect it to your PC using a compatible USB cable.
Step 3: Boot your phone into the recovery mode menu after simultaneously pressing and holding the volume-up and power keys.
Step 4: Select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset.”
Step 5: Select “Factory Data Reset.”
Step 6: Wait until a confirmation message appears in the screen’s bottom-left corner.
Step 7: Select “Reboot System Now” to restart your Android phone in normal mode.
FAQS about Group Messages Coming Separately
Why do I get separate texts from my group chats?
A disabled group MMS feature is the most common reason you might receive separate responses from your group chats. You must enable this on your Android phone’s messaging app to ensure group messages belong in one conversation.
How do I fix the faulty group messages on an Android phone?
Various solutions can troubleshoot a faulty group message on an Android phone. These solutions include configuring your messaging app’s settings, updating its app version, reinstalling it from the Google Play Store, and performing a factory reset.
How can I fix my group messaging problems?
Configure the group messages appropriately on your smartphone to ensure you won’t encounter any issues. Any troubleshooting trick will amount to nothing if you haven’t set your phone’s messaging app to send/receive text messages as a group.
