Unable to add a new contact to a group text message

I’m seeing the same thing. I have a long-running chat. Everyone has an iPhone. When trying to add a new member, I get the “Create a new group?” Dialog. The new member also has an iPhone and is using iMessage. This only started with iOS 18. I’m currently on iOS 18.0.1.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

Razmee209, You may wish to read the whole post before replying in the future.

Everyone has an iPhone. The new contact has iMessage turned on and not forcing SMS. I feel like this is a bug in iOS 18 and was looking for confirmation or corroboration.

OrangeBetta1 wrote:

When trying to add a new contact to a group text message, I am unable. Says I have to start a new group with MSM and same members.

Add and remove people in group text messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

StevenStJean wrote:

I’m seeing the same thing. I have a long-running chat. Everyone has an iPhone. When trying to add a new member, I get the “Create a new group?” Dialog. The new member also has an iPhone and is using iMessage. This only started with iOS 18. I’m currently on iOS 18.0.1.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/37dd4741-07fc-4c63-b8d2-2297033005dc

Read your screenshot it tells you why.

StevenStJean wrote:

Razmee209, You may wish to read the whole post before replying in the future.

Everyone has an iPhone. The new contact has iMessage turned on and not forcing SMS. I feel like this is a bug in iOS 18 and was looking for confirmation or corroboration.

i did read your post, if I didn't I wouldn't have seen the screenshot you posted that say otherwise.

Good luck to you.

OrangeBetta1 wrote:

How to get around not being able to add a new contact? Not everyone has an iphone.

What do you mean "not able to add new contact"?