Quick Guide to Forwarding Text Messages from Android and iPhone

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A guide to forwarding messages on Google Messages and more

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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Forwarding Messages on Android

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Forwarding Messages on iPhone

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Forwarding Messages with iCloud

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Alternatives

Do you want to forward a text to someone else or another device? You can easily do this on Android and iPhone. Read on to learn more.

Easily Forward Text on Android & iPhone

On any default texting app with Android, tap and hold the message that you want to forward and tap ⋮ > Forward. On iPhone, tap and hold the message you want to forward in Messages and select More. Select the messages you want to forward, then click the "Forward" arrow. Enter the recipient and tap the send icon.

Section 1 of 4:

Forwarding Messages on Android

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This works in most default text apps, like Google Messages and Samsung Messages.
You'll see this three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner of your screen. Tapping it prompts a menu to drop down.

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It's in the middle of the menu.
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Tap to select the contact you want to forward the message to. In some apps, like Google Messages, you'll see the selected recipients listed at the top of your screen.
- Tap Next to continue if prompted.
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Tap
. This paper plane icon is in the lower right corner of your screen and will send the text.
- Repeat this process for all text messages that you want to send.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Forwarding Messages on iPhone

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Do this if you want to send a text message to someone else in the Messages app on your iPhone.
It's at the bottom of the menu and lets you select multiple messages to send.
You'll see this arrow icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
You can enter the name or phone number of the person you want to forward the messages to, then press the "Send" button to forward the text(s).^{[2]
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Section 3 of 4:

Forwarding Messages with iCloud

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Open Settings. Tap the app that looks like a gear to open Settings.
- Did you know that you can sync or automatically forward all your texts between your Apple devices? You can get a text on your iPhone and read and respond to it using your MacBook. Use this method to set up Messages in iCloud so you have automatic text message forwarding set up.
It's at the top of the list and will load your Apple ID information.
You'll find this next to an icon of a cloud.
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Turn on iCloud Messages for your iPhone. There are multiple ways to do this depending on your iOS:
- iOS 17.2 or later: Tap Show/See All > Messages > Use on this device.
- iOS 16 to 17.1: Tap Show All > Messages > Sync this device.
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Make sure text forwarding is set up on Messenger on your devices. This needs to be enabled for your messages to automatically forward between your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
- iMessage account on iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and make sure your other devices are listed. If not, sign into the same Apple ID on all your devices.
- Text Message Forwarding: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.^{[3]
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Section 4 of 4:

Alternatives

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1
Screenshot a conversation to forward. This will include your responses, timestamps, message bubbles, and preserve the original formatting of any texts. This might be a better option for you if you want to forward a lot of texts.
- To do this, open the text conversation and take screenshots of the messages. On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can take longer screenshots by pressing the double-arrows in the pop-up notification at the bottom of your screen. Compose a new message and send the screenshots to the other person.
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Copy longer texts with Google Messages on the web. This is a better option if you don't have space on your phone to take screenshots, but have access to a computer. It's also easier to copy multiple texts with a computer.
- To do this, go to https://messages.google.com/web/welcome and log in. Click the text conversation that you want to copy, then click and drag from the bottom to the top to make a selection.
- Right-click on the conversation, then click Copy and paste all the texts into a new message to forward them. However, this will not preserve the original formatting as taking screenshots will.
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Use call forwarding. This method includes setting up call forwarding, which will send all your calls as well as your texts to another number. Do this if you don't need the texts or calls to go to the original number.
- Setting up call forwarding is carrier-specific. There's a code unique to your cell phone carrier, like Verizon or AT&T, that will set up call forwarding. On some phones, you can enable call forwarding right from your screen without dealing with your carrier.