This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Microsoft 365 screen reader support content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.
GroupMe is a messaging app for chatting with your friends and family. You can send messages, pictures, videos, GIFs and emojis, as well as make video calls. GroupMe allows you to create groups based on shared interests, coordinate events, and stay organized with the built-in calendar. You can also join groups nearby or on your campus.
Use the GroupMe on the web with your keyboard and a screen reader to work seamlessly. Learn how to send direct message, use GroupMe polls, create an event call, share a photo or video, make a group call, connect with campus groups, start a group, create a topic, remove a topic, and schedule calendar events in GroupMe.
In this topic
Send direct message
GroupMe allows you to chat with groups or individuals. Send direct messages to anyone in your contacts or in your groups on GroupMe using a screen reader on the web app.
Send a direct message from the chat
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Go to GroupMe in your web browser and log in.
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Use the Tab key to move through the elements and the Enter to select them.
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Navigate until you hear "Start a new chat," then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear “Start direct message” and press Enter.
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Use the Tab key to move to the search box and type the name, phone number, or email address of the person you want to start a direct message.
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Navigate to the desired person and press Enter to select.
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Press the Tab key to move to the message box of the chat window and type your message.
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Press Enter to send the message or the Shift+Enter to add a new line.
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Use the Tab key to access other options in the chat window, such as adding emojis, gifs, images, or attachments. Use the Enter key to select them.
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Start a direct message from a group chat
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Press the Tab key until you hear the group name and press Enter to open.
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Navigate to the Members button, then press Enter to view all the members.
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Press the Tab key until you hear “Direct message” after the desired member name, then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key to move focus to the message box.
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Type your message and press Enter to send.
Start a group
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Press the Tab key until you hear “Chats,” then press Enter to open the Chat pane.
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Navigate to Start a new chat and press Enter to expand a drop-down menu.
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Press Enter to select Start Group.
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Press Tab to move to the fields for entering your group name, description, and add a group avatar (profile picture).
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Press Tab to select Create Group.
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A new window titled Add Members will open. Type the name, phone number, or email of the member in the search edit box.
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Navigate through your GroupMe contacts, and press Enter to select.
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Select Add member(s), and your new group will appear in the Chats pane.
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Edit the group settings related to privacy, messaging and personalization.
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Then, navigate to the Close button and press Enter to close section's page.
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Make a group call
GroupMe allows you to make group calls with up to 350 people at once. Follow the below steps to utilize the group calling feature efficiently:
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In the chats pane, navigate to the desired group to initiate a call, then press Enter to open group chat.
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Once inside the group, navigate to the Start Group Call button and press Enter to select.
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Wait for the other members to join the call. You will hear a sound when someone joins or leaves the call.
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Use the Tab key to navigate between participants during the call.
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To share your screen during call, navigate to the Present your screen button and press Enter.
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Choose what you want to share, and press Enter to share.
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To end the call, navigate to the Leave Call button and press Enter.
Create a topic
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On the Chats pane, use the Down arrow key until you hear the name of group in which you would like to add a topic, then press Enter to open it.
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Use the Down arrow key to navigate to More, displayed as three dots on the selected group. Navigate through the dropdown list using Tab, and then select New topic.
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Use the Tab key to navigate and press Enter to select the group's avatar (group picture).
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Navigate the drop-down list and select Add topic.
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Enter the name, description (optional), and avatar (optional) for your topic.
Remove a topic
Follow these steps to remove a topic from a group:
Notes:
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Only group owners and admins have permission to delete a topic from a group.
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Once deleted, the topic will no longer be visible to anyone in the group.
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Open the group from which you wish to remove the topic.
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Use the Down arrow key to select the topic you wish to remove and then press Spacebar.
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Use the Tab key to go to Delete topic and then press Enter to remove the topic.
Connect with campus group
Follow the instructions to connect with campus groups on GroupMe:
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Navigate using the Tab key until you hear “Discover groups,” then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear “Campus” and press Enter.
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Verify your school email address to find your campus groups.
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If the group is available as per your email, navigate to the group and press Enter to join.
Create a calendar event
There are two ways to add a calendar event. Follow these steps to know how to create a calendar event:
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Open the group or contact to which you want to create and send a calendar event.
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Navigate and select Open to attach media content.
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Press the Tab key to navigate to Create Event, and then press Enter.
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Input the details of event and then press the Tab key to go to Create Event, and then press Enter to send out the event invitation.
Alternatively,
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Navigate the group or direct chat using Tab to go to Avatar of the group or contact.
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Press Tab to go to Calendar, and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab until you hear “Create A New Event,” then press Enter.
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Fill out the details of event and then press the Tab key to navigate to Create Event.
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Press Enter to create and send a calendar event invitation to your group or contact.
Note: Only the event creator can edit the event’s details, such as the start and end times, location, reminders for the event, or cancel the event.
Use GroupMe polls
Create polls for group decisions, participate in group polls, and view poll results on GroupMe.
Create a poll for group decisions
To create a poll for a group decision, follow these steps:
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Navigate to the group chat where you want to create a poll.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Open to attach media content," then press Enter to select.
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Navigate until you hear "Create a poll," then press Enter to select it.
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Use the Tab key to move between the fields and the Enter key to confirm your input.
Note: You can check the box for "Multiple answers" if you want the group members to be able to vote for more than one option.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Create poll," then press Enter to create the poll.
Participate in a group poll
To participate in a group poll, follow these steps:
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Navigate to the group chat where the poll is posted.
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Press the Tab key until you hear the poll question and the options.
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Use the Up and Down arrow keys to review the options and press the Spacebar to select the option that you want to vote for. If the poll allows multiple votes, you can select more than one option.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Vote" and press Enter to submit your vote.
View poll results
To view the poll results, follow these steps:
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In the chats pane, navigate to the group chat where the poll is posted.
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Press the Tab key until you hear the poll question and the options.
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Use the Up and Down arrow keys to review the options.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "View results" and press Enter to select.
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Navigate to the Change your vote option, then press Enter to change your vote.
See also
How do I sync my contacts in GroupMe?
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
Use the GroupMe app with TalkBack, the built-in Android screen reader, to work seamlessly. Learn how to send direct message, use GroupMe polls, create an event call, share a photo or video, make a group call, connect with campus groups, start a group, create a topic, remove a topic, and schedule calendar events in GroupMe.
In this topic
Send direct message
GroupMe allows you to chat with groups or individuals. You can start direct messages with anyone in your contacts or in your groups.
Send a direct message from the chat
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Open the GroupMe app on your device.
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Flick right or left with one finger until you hear "Start button". Then, double-tap to activate it.
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Flick until you hear "Direct message". Then, double-tap to activate it.
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When you hear "Search edit box", double-tap to enter the search mode.
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Type the name or phone number of the contact or group member you want to chat with using the keyboard.
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As you type, wait until you hear the name of the contact or group member you want to chat with, double-tap to select it.
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Flick right or left with one finger to navigate the items on the direct message screen.
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Flick until you hear “Send message edit box.” Then, double-tap to activate it.
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Type your message then Flick to the Send message button and double-tap to send it.
Start a direct message from a group chat
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Flick until you hear the name of the group chat you want to start a direct message from. Then, double-tap to open it.
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Flick to navigate the items on the group chat screen.
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Flick until you hear "group name." Then, double-tap to activate it.
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Flick until you hear "members list." Then, double-tap to activate it.
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Flick to hear the name of each member.
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When you hear the name of the member you want to chat with, double-tap to activate it.
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Flick until you hear "Send a DM." Then, double-tap to activate it.
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Type your message, then flick to the Send message button and double-tap to send it.
Start a group
To create a new group in GroupMe, follow these steps:
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Tap the Chats tab, and double-tap to open it.
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Flick left to reach the Start button and double-tap to activate.
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Double-tap Group from the list to initiate a new group.
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Enter the new group’s name, description, and set an avatar (profile picture).
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Flick to Next and double-tap to add members to your group.
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Type the member's name, email, or phone number in the edit box to search the contact.
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Navigate through your GroupMe contacts and select members to add to the group.
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Tap Done twice to navigate to Advanced settings.
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Adjust the Privacy controls and Personalization options as needed, then double-tap Done to finalize the advanced settings.
Note: You can always adjust this later from Settings.
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Your new group will appear in the Chats tab.
Make a group call
GroupMe is more than just a messaging app. It lets you make group calls with up to 350 people at once. Follow the below steps to make a group call on your android device:
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Flick right or left with one finger until you hear the desired group name and then double-tap to open the group chat screen.
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Flick to the phone icon. TalkBack will announce "Video call button."
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Double-tap to start the group call. Wait for other group members to join the call.
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To mute or unmute your microphone, flick until you hear "Mute" or "Unmute" and then double-tap to activate it.
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To switch between speaker and earpiece, flick until you hear "Speaker" or "Earpiece" and then double-tap to activate it.
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To view the list of participants, flick until you hear "Participants" and then double-tap.
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Flick to browse the list of the group members who are in the call.
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To end the call, flick until you hear “Hang up button” then double-tap to activate it. TalkBack will announce "Call ended" and you will return to the group chat screen.
Create a topic
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On the Chats tab, flick right or left until you hear the name of the group you want to add a topic, and then double-tap to open it.
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Double-tap the group’s avatar and navigate through the options.
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Flick right until you hear “topics.”
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Flick right again to reach the Add button, then double-tap to activate.
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Type a name, description (optional), and add an avatar (optional) to customize your topic.
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Flick right and double-tap Next to add the new topic.
Note: Additional topics can then be added by selecting New topic on the topics list for a group.
Remove a topic
Follow these steps to remove a topic from a group:
Notes:
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Only group owners and admins have permission to delete a topic from a group.
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Once deleted, the topic will no longer be visible to anyone in the group.
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On the Chats tab, flick right or left until you hear the name of the group you want to remove a topic, and double tap to open it.
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Flick right to reach the topic you’d like to remove and double-tap to open it.
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Double-tap the topic name and flick right to until you hear “more options.”
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Flick right until you hear “delete topic” and double tap to delete the topic.
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Double-tap Delete to confirm the selection.
Connect with campus group
GroupMe allows you to communicate with your friends, classmates, colleagues, and more. Follow the instructions to connect with campus groups:
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Flick until you hear "Discover" and double-tap to open the groups screen.
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Flick to navigate through the available groups and then double-tap to join or request to join if it’s a private group.
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To join your campus groups, flick until you hear “join your campus” and then double-tap to activate it.
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Enter your school email address to find your campus groups.
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If the group is available as per your email, flick to navigate to the group and then double-tap to join.
Create a calendar event
To create and send a calendar event, follow these steps:
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Double-tap the chat for which you want to create calendar event.
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Flick right until you hear “Add an attachment, button” and double-tap to open it.
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Flick right until you hear “Calendar event” and double-tap to select it.
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Double tap the Create new event to access new event page.
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Flick right and enter the below details:
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Your event name
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Start date and time
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End date and time
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Video call
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Photo
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Location
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Description
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Reminders
Note: Video call, photo, location, and description are optional.
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Flick left to reach the Done button and double-tap to create the event and send invitation to the group.
Create an event call
Event call is a feature of GroupMe that allows you to create and join voice or video calls with your group members.
Note: When you create an event, by default video call is selected.
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Flick right or left until you hear the name of the chat or group you want to create an event for, and double-tap to open it.
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Flick until you hear "Add an attachment, button" and double-tap to open the menu.
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Flick until you hear "Create new event," then double-tap to activate it.
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Flick until you hear "Event name button," then double-tap to enter the name of your event.
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Flick until you hear "Start date button," then double-tap to select the date of your event.
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Flick until you hear "Start time button," then double-tap to select the time of your event.
Note: Optionally, you can add photo, location, and a description for the event.
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Flick until you hear "Done," then double-tap to create your event and send invitations to your group.
Use GroupMe polls
Create polls for group decisions, participate in group polls, and view poll results on GroupMe.
Create a poll for group decisions
To create a poll for your group, follow these steps:
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Select the group chat where you want to create the poll.
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Flick until you hear "Add an attachment," then double-tap to open the menu.
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Flick until you hear "Create a new poll," then double-tap the screen to open the poll creation screen.
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Flick to the question edit box and then double-tap the screen to enter the question for your poll.
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By default, you can add two options, flick until you hear "Add" and then double-tap the screen to add more options for your poll.
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Repeat the above step to add more options for your poll. You can add up to 10 options.
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Flick to the end voting option and then double-tap the screen to set the poll closing time.
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Flick until you hear "Done" and then double-tap the screen to create and send your poll to the group chat.
Participate in a group poll
To participate in a poll created by another group member, follow these steps:
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Select the group chat where the poll is posted.
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Flick right or left until you hear the poll question and the choices.
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Flick to select the choice that you want to vote for.
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Double-tap the screen to cast your vote.
View poll results
To view the results of a poll that you created or participated in, follow these steps:
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Select the group chat where the poll is posted.
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Flick until you hear the poll question and the choices.
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Flick until you hear "view results" and then double-tap the screen to open the poll results screen.
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Flick to hear the number and percentage of votes for each choice, the total number of votes, and the time remaining for the poll.
-
To change your vote, flick to the Change your vote option, and then double-tap.
See also
How do I sync my contacts in GroupMe?
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
Use the GroupMe for iOS with VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader for iOS, to work seamlessly. Learn how to send direct message, use GroupMe polls, create an event call, share a photo or video, make a group call, connect with campus groups, start a group, create a topic, remove a topic, and schedule calendar events in GroupMe.
In this topic
Send direct message
GroupMe allows you to chat with groups or individuals. Send direct messages with anyone in your contacts or in your groups on GroupMe.
Start a direct message from the chat
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Open the GroupMe app on your device.
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Flick right to reach the "New chat button," then double-tap to activate it.
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Flick right until you hear "Direct message," then double-tap to activate it.
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Double-tap the search field to enter the search mode.
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Type the contact's name or phone number, then double-tap the Search button.
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Wait until you hear the name of the contact or group member you wish to chat with, then double-tap to choose.
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Flick right with one finger to navigate through the direct message screen.
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Flick right until you hear “Send message text field,” then double-tap to activate it.
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Type your message then flick right to the Send button and double-tap to send.
Start a direct message from a group chat
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Flick right until you hear the name of group in which you want to choose the individual, double-tap to activate it.
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Double-tap the group’s avatar and navigate through the options.
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Flick right until you hear "Members button," then double-tap to activate it.
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Flick right to hear the name of each member.
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When you hear the name of the member you want to chat with, double-tap to activate it.
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Double-tap the Direct message to initiate a new chat.
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Type a message and flick to the Send button and double-tap to send.
Start a group
To create a new group in GroupMe, follow these steps:
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Tap the Chats icon, and double-tap to open it.
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Flick right to reach the “new chat button” and double-tap to activate it.
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Double-tap Group to initiate a new group.
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Enter the new group’s name, description, and add an avatar (profile picture).
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Flick to Next and double-tap to add members to your group.
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Type the member's name or phone number in the edit box to search the contact.
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Navigate through your GroupMe contacts and select members to add to the group.
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Tap Done twice to navigate to Advanced settings.
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Adjust the Privacy controls and Personalization options as needed, then double-tap Done to finalize the advanced settings.
Note: You can always adjust this later from Settings.
-
-
Your new group will appear in the Chats tab.
Make a group call
GroupMe is more than just a messaging app. It lets you make group calls with up to 350 people at once. Follow the below steps to make a group call on your iOS device:
-
Flick right until you hear the desired group name and then double-tap to open the group.
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Flick to the video call button and double-tap to activate it.
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Double-tap the Join call to start the group call.
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To view the list of participants, flick until you hear "Participants," then double-tap.
-
To mute or unmute your microphone, flick until you hear "Mute" or "Unmute" and double-tap to activate it.
-
To switch between speaker and earpiece, flick until you hear "Speaker" or "iPhone" and then double-tap to activate it.
-
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To leave the call, flick until you hear “Leave, button” then double-tap to activate it.
-
Double-tap the Leave button to end the call.
Note: VoiceOver will announce "call ended" and you will return to the group chat screen.
Create a topic
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On the Chats tab, flick right or left until you hear the name of the group you want to add a topic, and then double-tap to open it.
-
Double-tap the group’s avatar and navigate through the options.
-
Flick right until you hear “topics.”
-
Flick right again to reach the Add button, then double-tap to activate it.
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Enter a name, description (optional), and set an avatar (optional) for your topic.
-
Flick right and double-tap Next to add the new topic.
Note: Additional topics can then be added by selecting New topic on the topics list for a group.
Remove a topic
Follow these steps to remove a topic from a group:
Notes:
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Only group owners and admins have permission to delete a topic from a group.
-
Once deleted, the topic will no longer be visible to anyone in the group.
-
On the Chats tab, flick right or left until you hear the name of the group you want to remove a topic, and double tap to open it.
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Flick right to reach the topic you’d like to remove and double-tap to open it.
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Double-tap your topic name and flick right to until you hear “more options.”
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Flick right until you hear “delete topic” and double tap to delete the topic.
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Double-tap Delete to confirm the selection.
Connect with campus group
Follow the instructions to connect with campus groups on GroupMe:
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Flick right and select Discover option, then double tap to view the campus groups.
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Flick to navigate through the available groups and then double-tap to join or request to join if it’s a private group.
-
Double-tap the Join group button to access the Answer Questions page.
Note: Please ensure to include all essential details in the "Write your answer" column.
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To send the joining request, tap the Send button twice.
-
Double-tap the Join your campus button to join your campus groups.
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Flick right until you hear “Enter school email” and then type you school email id.
-
Double-tap the Send PIN button and search the groups.
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If the group is available as per your email, flick to navigate to the group and double-tap to join.
Create a calendar event
To create and send a calendar event, follow these steps:
-
Double-tap the chat for which you want to send a calendar event.
-
Flick right until you hear “add an attachment, button” and double-tap to open it.
Note: If you encounter a pop-up, double-tap Keep Current Selection to dismiss it.
-
Flick right until you hear “calendar event” and double-tap to select it.
-
Double tap the Create new event to access new event page.
-
Flick right and enter the below details:
-
Your event name
-
Start date and time
-
End date and time
-
Video call
-
Photo
-
Location
-
Description
-
Reminders
Note: Video call, photo, location, and description are optional.
-
-
Flick left to reach the Done button and double-tap to create the event and send invitation to group.
Create an event call
Event call is a feature of GroupMe that allows you to create and join voice or video calls with your group members.
Note: When you create an event, by default video call is selected.
-
Double-tap to open the chat where you want to create calendar event.
-
Flick right until you hear “Open compose options” and double-tap to open the options.
-
Flick right until you hear “Calendar event” and double-tap to select it.
-
Double tap the Create new event to access new event page.
-
Flick right and provide the following details:
-
Event name
-
Start date and time
-
End date and time
-
Video call
-
Photo
-
Location
-
Description
-
Reminders
Note: Video call, photo, location, and description are optional.
-
-
Flick left until you hear "Send button” and double tap to create the event and send invitation to group.
Use GroupMe polls
Create polls for group decisions, participate in group polls, and view poll results.
Create a poll for group decisions
To create a poll for your group, follow these steps:
-
Double-tap to open the group chat where you want to create the poll.
-
Flick right until you hear “Open compose options” and double-tap to open the menu.
-
Flick right until you hear "Poll” and double-tap to open the poll creation screen.
-
Double-tap the Create New Poll button to access the new poll page.
-
Navigate to the question edit box and enter the question for your poll.
-
By default, you can add two vote options, flick right until you hear "add more" and double-tap to add more options for your poll.
Note: Repeat the above step to add more options for your poll. You can add up to 10 options.
-
-
Flick to the end voting option and double-tap the screen to set the poll closing time.
-
Flick to “Multiple answers,” then double-tap to toggle it on.
-
Flick to “Public poll,” then double-tap to toggle it on.
Note: In public polls everyone in the group will be able to view who has voted and for which options.
-
Flick left until you hear "Send" and double-tap to create and send your poll to the group chat.
Participate in a group poll
To participate in a poll created by another group member, follow these steps:
-
Select the group chat where the poll is posted and double-tap to open it.
-
Flick right until you hear the poll question and double-tap the Vote button.
-
Flick to select the choice that you want to vote for and double tap to cast your vote.
View poll results
To view the results and insights of a poll that you created or participated in, follow these steps:
-
Select the group chat where the poll is posted and double-tap to open it.
-
Flick right or left until you hear the poll question.
-
Flick until you hear "View results" and double-tap the screen to open the poll results screen.
-
Flick to hear the number and percentage of votes for each choice, the total number of votes, and the time remaining for the poll.
-
To change your vote, flick to the Change my vote option and double-tap.
See also
How do I sync my contacts in GroupMe?
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
