Whether you're coordinating with a few friends or just want to chat without setting up a server, Group DMs and calls make it easy to connect directly — no server required. This article walks you through everything from creating a Group DM to managing members and jumping on a call.

What this article covers:

How to Create a Group DM

Group DMs start from your Friends List, so you'll need to add your friends on Discord before getting started — if you haven't done that yet, check out How do I add friends on Discord? to get set up.

Tip: Group DMs support up to 10 members total (including yourself). If you need to chat with a larger group, consider creating a server instead.

Once that's done, there are a couple of different ways to create a Group DM:

Desktop/Browser

Open your Friends List by selecting the Discord icon [] in the top left of the app.
Select the New Group DM icon [] in the top right corner of the Friends List.
In the Select Friends window, scroll through your list or search by username to find who you'd like to add.
Select everyone you want to include, then press Create Group DM.

Mobile

Tap the speech bubble icon [] to open your DMs.
Select the New Group DM icon [].
Search for or select friends you'd like to add.
Tap Create Group DM to confirm.

From Existing DMs

Alternatively, you can start a new Group DM from an existing 1:1 DM. This creates a new group chat without affecting your existing 1:1 DM.

Desktop/browser: Open the DM and select the Add Friends to DM icon [] in the top right corner, then select additional friends and confirm.
Mobile: Open the DM, tap the username at the top, then press the New Group DM option [], then select additional friends and confirm.

What are the Group DM Features

Once you're in a Group DM, you'll have access to a set of actions for calls, notifications, pinned messages, and more.

On desktop and browser, these appear as a row of icons in the top right corner of the chat window.

On mobile, some of these options are accessed by tapping the conversation name at the top of the chat to open the group settings panel.

Start a Voice Call in the Group DM

Voice calls let you talk with everyone in the group at once. Any member can start a call at any time, and calls stay open as long as at least one person remains — members can join or leave the call freely.

Desktop/browser: Select the phone icon [] in the top right corner to start a call.
Mobile: Tap the phone icon [] at the top of the Group DM to start a voice call.

Start a Video Call in the Group DM

Video calls work just like voice calls, with the added option to share your camera feed. You can toggle your camera on or off at any point once you're in the call.

Desktop/browser: Select the video camera icon [] in the top right corner.
Mobile: Tap the video icon [] at the top of the Group DM.

Note: Video calls in Group DMs are available on desktop and mobile. Browser support may vary depending on your browser's camera permissions. Make sure Discord has camera access enabled in your browser settings if you run into issues.
For more help, see the Discord Voice and Video Troubleshooting Guide.

Mute Notifications in the Group DM

If a Group DM gets busy, muting notifications lets you stay in the conversation without being constantly interrupted. When muted, you won't receive desktop or push notifications and will need to check the chat manually.

Desktop/browser: Find the Group DM conversation name in the Direct Messages list, right-click on the conversation in order for the Group DM menu to appear, then select Mute Notifications and choose your Mute Notification option.
Mobile: Tap the conversation name at the top, then press the bell icon and you'll be lead to a menu to Mute Notifications.

Tip: You can also manage incoming and outgoing call sounds under User Settings > Notifications on desktop/browser (see Notifications Settings 101), or Settings > Notifications on mobile (see Mobile Notifications Settings 101).

Pinned Messages in the Group DM

Pinned messages are a great way to keep important information — like plans, links, or reminders — easy to find for everyone in the group. From the pinned messages panel, you can jump directly to a message in the chat or unpin it.

Desktop/browser: Select the pin icon [] in the top-right corner to view pinned messages. To pin a message, hover over it, select the ellipses icon [] (more options) menu, and select Pin Message.
Mobile: Tap the conversation name at the top, then select Pins to view them. To pin a message, long-press it and select Pin Message from the menu.

Add Members to the Group DM

Anyone in the group can invite more friends to join, up to the maximum limit. Any current member can add new people, up to the 10-person cap.

Desktop/browser: Select the Add Member icon [] in the top right corner.
Mobile: Tap the conversation name at the top, then select Add Members [].

Members List in the Group DM

The member list gives you a quick view of everyone in the Group DM and lets you interact with them directly. From the member list, you can view a member's profile or send them a direct message.

Desktop/browser: Select the member list icon [] in the top right corner to show or hide the panel.
Mobile: Tap the conversation name at the top to see the full list of members.

How to Manage the Group DM

Beyond chatting and calling, there are a few ways to customize and manage your Group DM. Some options are available to all members, while others are limited to the person who created the group.

Renaming the Group DM

Giving your Group DM a name makes it easier to find, especially if you have a lot of active conversations. The updated name is visible to all members.

Desktop/browser:

Select the Group DM name at the top of the chat window
Then edit the name, and press Save to confirm.

Mobile:

Tap the conversation name at the top, then tap the settings cog icon []
Then in the Group DM Settings menu that pops up - press on Customize Group.
Then edit the Group DM name, and press Save to confirm.

Changing or Removing the Group DM Icon

You can add a personal touch to your Group DM by setting a custom icon.

Desktop/browser:

Press on the Group DM name at the top of the chat window.
Select the pencil icon to upload a new image, or Remove Icon to revert to the default icon.
Press Save to confirm.

Mobile:

Tap the conversation name at the top, and then tap the settings cog icon []
Then in the Group DM Settings menu that pops up - press on Customize Group.
Then press the Group DM avatar icon to upload a new image, or Remove Icon to revert to the default icon.
Press Save to confirm.

Removing a Group DM Member

If you created the Group DM, you have the ability to remove members when needed. Only the person who created the Group DM can remove members.

Desktop/browser: Right-click the member's name in the member list and select Remove From Group.
Mobile: Long-press the user's avatar icon within the chat, then tap the 3 Dot Menu icon [] , and select Remove From Group.

How to Leave a Group DM

If you no longer want to be part of a Group DM, you can leave at any time. Any member — not just the group creator — has the option to leave.

On desktop or browser:

Right-click the Group DM in your DM list (left sidebar).
Select Leave Group.
Confirm when prompted.

On mobile:

Tap the conversation name at the top, and then tap the settings cog icon []
Then in the Group DM Settings menu that pops up - tap Leave Group.
Confirm when prompted.

Tip: Once you leave a Group DM, you'll stop receiving messages from that chat and it will be removed from your DM list. You can only rejoin if an existing member adds you back.

Want to Learn More

That covers everything you need to know about Group DMs and calls across desktop, browser, and mobile!

If you're new to Discord and want a broader overview, the Beginner's Guide to Discord is a great place to start.
If you run into any audio or video issues, the Voice and Video Troubleshooting Guide can help.
For anything else, visit our Help Center for additional support.