Rockstar may have removed the easy way to text chat to everyone in the lobby. But they haven't removed all ways to do text chat. Follow this guide to see how you can use "Text Chat"

From the Main Menu in the Online tab click Join Freemode

(This may take time depending what drive GTA V Enhanced is installed)


Once you have confirmed that you have loaded into a public lobby, Go to Step 2

From the Main Menu Click the Story tab


Click the Grand Theft Auto V Story Mode panel or press the button that corresponds to Resume Story


(This may take time depending what drive GTA V Enhanced is installed)


Press your Pause button and head to the Online tab.


Then press Play GTA Online button.


Then select any of the preferred lobby types (If you are in a private lobby, make sure you have a friend in the lobby), and confirm that you want to leave Story Mode.


(This may take time depending what drive GTA V Enhanced is installed)


Once you have confirmed that you have loaded into a public lobby. Go to Step 2

In GTA Online, open up your phone with Up Arrow/Middle Mouse button for keyboard & mouse players, or Dpad Up for controller.


Navigate to the text message app with Arrows Keys/Scroll Wheel for keyboard & Mouse or Dpad buttons for controller. Once at the text message app press the Left Click/Enter Key for keyboard & Mouse or A/Cross button for controllers.


With the Space Bar Key/Middle Mouse Button for keyboard & mouse or X/Square for controller. You will be in the contact page.


Scrolling through the contact list. Whoever is in the lobby will be at the top of the contact list. Once you found the person you want to message press the Left Click/Enter Key for keyboard & Mouse or A/Cross button for controllers.


Select "Send Message" option. You will be prompted to type a message. Once you hit the Enter key on your keyboard, the message will be sent to the player you want to communicate with.


You and anyone in the lobby can now fully communicate with each other. You also get a nice notification sound every time someone sends you a text message.

Thank you for reading this useful guide. It sucks that the only way we can text chat in this game is though the bloody phone. Remember to share this with uninformed GTA Online players so that everyone's GTA Online experience is 10x better. Have a lovely day.

I would like to thank the following people
Runrae - Thank you for allowing me to test "Text Chat"