Forwarding a text is a built-in feature on every phone — you select the message, tap forward, and choose who gets it
Text forwarding works the same way on iPhone and Android: you open the conversation, press and hold the message you want to send to someone else, then pick forward from the menu that appears. The message goes out as a new text from you, not as a screenshot or copy-paste. The person who receives it sees the original message text, but not the sender's name or the date it was originally sent — just the content and that it came from you.
This is different from sharing a screenshot, which shows the whole conversation and takes a picture of your screen. Forwarding is cleaner and faster, especially if you only want one specific message to reach someone else.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, press and hold a message in the conversation, then tap Forward from the menu.
- On Android, long-press the message, tap the three dots or forward icon, then select Forward.
- The forwarded message appears as a new text from you, without the original sender's name attached.
- You can forward multiple messages at once by selecting them before you tap forward.
How to forward a text on iPhone
Open the Messages app and find the conversation that contains the message you want to forward. Press and hold (or long-press) the specific message until a menu appears with several options. Tap More if you see it, or look for Forward directly in the menu.
Once you tap Forward, the message moves into the compose field at the bottom of your screen. The text is now ready to send. Tap the contact field at the top, search for or select the person you want to send it to, then tap Send. If you want to forward more than one message, you can select multiple messages before tapping Forward — just tap each one while the menu is open.
How to forward a text on Android
Open the Messages app (or whatever texting app you use — Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another) and open the conversation with the message you need to forward. Long-press the message until it highlights or a menu appears. Look for a Forward button, or tap the three vertical dots (the menu icon) to find it.
Tap Forward, and the message text will appear in a new compose window. Type or search for the contact you want to send it to, then tap Send. Some Android phones let you select multiple messages before forwarding — if you see checkboxes next to the messages, tap each one you want, then tap Forward once.
What happens when you forward a message
The person who receives the forwarded message sees only the text content, not who originally sent it or when. They see it as a regular text from you. This means if you forward a message that says "I'll be there at 5," the recipient knows you sent that message, but they don't automatically know who said it first.
If you want the recipient to know who originally wrote the message, you may need to add context — for example, "Sarah said: I'll be there at 5." Forwarding is not the same as copying and pasting, and it does not create a screenshot or image of the conversation.
Forwarding messages from group chats
You can forward messages from group conversations the same way you forward from one-on-one texts. Press and hold the message, tap Forward, and send it to whoever you choose. The person receiving it will not see that it came from a group chat — it just appears as a regular message from you.
This is useful if someone in a group says something you want to share with a friend outside the group, or if you need to send a specific piece of information to someone who was not part of that conversation.
When forwarding does not work
If you cannot find a Forward option, your texting app may not support it. Some third-party messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) have their own forward features that work slightly differently — they may show "forwarded" to the recipient, or they may have additional privacy settings. Check your app's menu or settings if Forward is not visible.
If you are using an older phone or an older version of your texting app, the forward feature might not be available. In that case, you can copy the message text manually and paste it into a new message, or take a screenshot and share that instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the person I forward a message to see who originally sent it?
No. When you forward a message, the recipient sees only the text content and that it came from you. They do not see the original sender's name or any information about where the message came from. If you want them to know who said it, you need to tell them yourself.
Can I forward a message to multiple people at once?
On most phones, you forward to one person or group at a time. After you tap Forward, you select one contact or group chat, send it, and then repeat the process if you want to send it elsewhere. Some Android phones let you select multiple recipients in the compose window before sending.
What is the difference between forwarding and taking a screenshot?
Forwarding sends just the message text as a new message from you. A screenshot shows a picture of your entire screen, including the sender's name, the time, and any other messages visible. Screenshots are larger files and show more context, but forwarding is faster and cleaner if you only need one message.
Does the original sender know if I forward their message?
No. The original sender does not get a notification that you forwarded their message. Forwarding is private — only you and the person you send it to know it happened.
Can I forward a message that was forwarded to me?
Yes. You can forward any message in your conversation, whether it was originally sent to you or forwarded to you by someone else. There is no limit to how many times a message can be forwarded.