The fastest way to forward a text on Android

To forward a text message on Android, open your Messages app, find the conversation you want to forward, press and hold the specific message until a menu appears, then tap Forward. Select the contact or group you want to send it to and tap Send. The message goes out as a new text, not as a reply in the original conversation.

The exact steps and menu names vary slightly depending on which messaging app you use — Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or a third-party app like WhatsApp — but the core action is the same: find the message, hold it, and select forward from the menu that appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold a single message in your Messages app until a menu appears with a Forward option.
  • You can forward one message at a time; most Android messaging apps do not let you select and forward multiple messages together.
  • The forwarded message appears as a new text to your chosen contact, not as part of the original conversation thread.
  • If your Messages app does not show a Forward option, try tapping the three-dot menu icon at the top of the screen instead.

Step-by-step for Google Messages

Google Messages is the default messaging app on most newer Android phones. Open the app and find the conversation containing the message you want to forward. Tap and hold the specific message — not the conversation name, but the actual text bubble — until it highlights and a menu bar appears at the bottom of the screen.

Look for the Forward icon in that menu bar. It usually looks like an arrow pointing to the right. Tap it, then select the contact or group you want to send the message to from your contacts list. Review the message one more time, then tap Send. The message will arrive as a new text from you, not as part of the original conversation.

Step-by-step for Samsung Messages

If you have a Samsung phone, you likely use Samsung Messages instead. Open the app and find the conversation with the message you need to forward. Press and hold the message itself until it turns blue or gray to show it is selected.

A menu will appear at the top of the screen. Tap the three-dot icon or look for a More button, then select Forward from the dropdown. Choose the recipient from your contacts and tap Send. The forwarded message will appear as a fresh text from you.

What to do if Forward does not appear

Some messaging apps or older Android versions do not include a dedicated Forward button. If you press and hold a message and do not see Forward in the menu, try tapping the three-dot menu icon at the top right of the screen while the message is selected. A second menu may appear with additional options, including Forward.

If that does not work, you can copy the message text manually: press and hold the message, tap Copy, then open a new conversation with the person you want to send it to, paste the text, and send it as a regular message. This is slower but works on any messaging app.

Forwarding messages in group chats

Forwarding works the same way in group conversations as it does in one-on-one chats. Find the message you want to forward, press and hold it, tap Forward, and then choose whether to send it to an individual contact, a different group, or multiple people. The message will arrive as a new text from you, separate from the group conversation it came from.

Keep in mind that when you forward a message from a group chat to someone outside that group, they will see only the message text itself — not the sender's name or any context about where it came from. If the message refers to something only the group understands, the recipient may be confused.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is tapping the conversation name instead of the individual message. If you tap the conversation, you will open the chat thread, not select a message to forward. Make sure you are pressing and holding the actual message bubble, not the contact name at the top.

Another mistake is expecting to forward multiple messages at once. Most Android messaging apps let you forward only one message per action. If you need to send several related messages, you will have to forward them one at a time or copy and paste them together into a new message manually.

Forwarding to non-contacts

When you tap Forward, your phone will show your contacts list. If the person you want to send the message to is not in your contacts, you have two options. You can add them to your contacts first, then forward the message. Or you can copy the message text, open a new conversation with that person's phone number, paste the text, and send it as a regular message.

Some messaging apps also let you type a phone number directly into the Forward recipient field without saving it as a contact first. Try typing the number and see if it appears as an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward a message to multiple people at once?

Most Android messaging apps let you select one recipient per forward action. If you need to send the same message to several people, you will have to forward it multiple times, once to each person. Some third-party messaging apps may offer a broadcast or multi-select feature, but the built-in Google Messages and Samsung Messages do not.

Does the person I forward to know where the message came from?

No. When you forward a message, it arrives as a new text from you. The recipient sees only the message content and your name — they do not see that it was originally from someone else or that you forwarded it. If you want them to know the source, you will need to mention it in a separate message.

Can I forward a message with photos or videos?

Yes. The forward process works the same way for messages that contain images or videos. Press and hold the message, tap Forward, choose the recipient, and send. The photo or video will go along with the text.

What if I accidentally forward a message to the wrong person?

Unfortunately, you cannot unsend a text message on Android the way you can on some other platforms. Once you tap Send, the message is delivered. If you sent it to the wrong person, you will need to send them a follow-up message explaining the mistake or asking them to disregard it.

Why does my phone show Copy instead of Forward?

Some older Android phones or messaging apps do not include a Forward feature. If you see only Copy, Copy All, or Delete, your app does not support forwarding. Copy the message text instead, then paste it into a new conversation with the person you want to send it to.