TikTok group chats are finally here

TikTok has finally added a group chat feature so you can send all those cucumber recipe videos to the group rather than just one person.

Announced by the company on Monday, the tool lets you add up to 32 people (including you) in one very demure, very mindful conversation. You can add friends or followers to a group chat, or friends can add you, but you can only invite mutual followed friends to the chat. If your TikTok settings ensure you don't get DMs, invites to group chats won't appear.

To start a group chat, all you have to do is open your inbox on TikTok, press the + button to create a new chat, select which friends you want to add, then hit "Select group chat." As with most other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal, and Instagram, you can change the name of the chat and add members.

You can also start a group chat by directly sharing a video — TikTok now shows a "Create group chat with friends" option when you select multiple people to share to.

TikTok said it has limited the number of groups someone can create and how many times messages can be forwarded. Muting and blocking tools have been brought over to the group chats, as well as the option to report harassment and abusive or hateful behaviour.

The group chat feature is not available for people under 15 (the minimum age to use TikTok is 13), and teens aged 16 to 17 have access restrictions. According to to TikTok: "If a teen is sent a link to join a group conversation, they will not be able to join unless the group includes at least one mutual friend. If they are eligible to join, they will be required to make a proactive decision to join. When a teen creates a group conversation, by default we will require them to review and approve new joiners."

In the same blog post, TikTok announced the addition of stickers in DMs, so you can plague your group chat with them.

It's the latest in a bunch of features TikTok has added of late, including the TikTok Spotlight entertainment tool, more in-FYP ticketing, and AI-generated digital avatars. That's all when the company isn't fighting U.S. legal battles from every angle.