How to Create and Use Communities in WhatsApp

Key Takeaways 

• Communities allow you to manage a large amount of groups on WhatsApp.
• After creating the community, you can add existing groups or create new ones to include in it.
• You can invite people to your community by sharing a link or adding them directly.

How to Create a WhatsApp Community

While similar, there are minor differences when creating WhatsApp communities on different platforms. We walk you through how it is done on iOS, Android, and Desktop.

On iPhone

First, install the latest WhatsApp app version from the App Store. Then, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the Communities tab at the bottom > New Community.

Step 3: Tap Get Started. Give it a relevant name and description, and set a profile picture. You can also use an emoji or sticker as a community picture. Hit Create community.

On Android

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on Android.

Step 2: Tap the Communities tab at the bottom > select New community.

Step 3: Tap the Get started button and give it a relevant name, description, and profile picture. You can also use an emoji or sticker as a community picture. Hit the arrow button to proceed.

On Desktop

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp or use Whatsapp Web.

Step 2: Click the Communities icon beside your profile picture.

Step 3: Click New Community.

Step 4: Click the arrow to proceed > name the community > add an image if needed > click the Check button.

Add Groups to a WhatsApp Community

Note: The process for adding a group to a WhatsApp community is the same across operating systems.

Step 1: Tap or click the Communities icon on WhatsApp. This icon is at the bottom of the WhatsApp home on mobile devices or the top, beside your profile picture, on a desktop.

Step 2: Tab your newly created community.

Step 3: Tap the Add group button > Add existing group or Create a new group. The second option lets you create a group from the start.

Step 4: Select your groups and tap Add.

Invite Contacts to Join a WhatsApp Community

Next, you may invite your friends or contacts to join your community. To do so on different platforms, follow the steps below.

On iPhone and Android

Step 1: Tap or click the Communities icon on WhatsApp.

Step 2: Tab your newly created community.

Step 3: Tap the three dots at the top > tap Invite members > select Send link via WhatsApp or Add members.

Step 4: If you choose Send link via WhatsApp, pick contacts and click Send. But if you chose Add members, select members and click Add.

On Desktop

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp or use Whatsapp Web.

Step 2: Click the Communities icon beside your profile picture.

Step 3: Click your community.

Step 4: Click the More option icon > View Members.

Step 5: Select Invite community via link or Add members. If you choose Invite community via link, you will generate a link you can share with people. But if you choose Add members, you will select members and click the Check button.

Make Someone Admin of the WhatsApp Community

After creating a community on WhatsApp, you become the community admin by default. You can always give other community members the same admin rights. Here are the steps on different devices.

On Mobile Devices

Step 1: Open a WhatsApp community on your phone > tap Communities > your community.

Step 2: Tap the three dots at the top right > Community info.

Step 3: Check the members’ list > select a contact > click Make admin.

On Desktop

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp or use Whatsapp Web.

Step 2: Click the Communities icon beside your profile picture.

Step 3: Click your community.

Step 4: Click the More options icon and click Community info.

Step 5: Check the members’ list > select a contact > click Make admin.