The fastest way to forward a text on iPhone

Open the Messages app, find the conversation with the text you want to forward, and press and hold on the specific message until a menu appears. Tap More, then tap the forward arrow icon (it looks like an arrow pointing right in a box) at the bottom right of the screen. Select the contact or conversation you want to send it to, then tap Send.

That's the standard method, and it works whether you're forwarding a single message or multiple messages at once. The forwarded text arrives as a separate message in the recipient's conversation with you, not as part of the original thread.

If you don't see the forward arrow icon, make sure you're running the latest version of iOS. Older versions of iOS have slightly different menu layouts, though the core steps remain the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold a message in the Messages app, tap More, then tap the forward arrow icon to send it to someone else.
  • You can select multiple messages at once by tapping More and then tapping additional messages before forwarding them all together.
  • The forwarded message appears as a new message in the recipient's conversation with you, not as part of the original thread.
  • If the forward arrow doesn't appear, update your iPhone to the latest iOS version available in Settings > General > Software Update.

Forwarding a single message versus multiple messages

When you press and hold a single message and tap More, you'll see the forward arrow appear at the bottom of the screen. This works for text messages, photos, videos, or any other content in a conversation.

To forward multiple messages at once, press and hold the first message, tap More, then tap each additional message you want to include. A checkmark appears next to each selected message. Once you've selected all the messages you want, tap the forward arrow, choose your recipient, and send.

Forwarding multiple messages sends them all as a group to the recipient, which is useful if you want someone to see a full conversation or a series of related texts without having to forward them one at a time.

Choosing where to forward the message

After you tap the forward arrow, a screen appears showing your recent contacts at the top, followed by a search field. You can either tap a contact's name directly if they appear in the recent list, or type their name or phone number in the search field to find them.

You can forward to a single person or to a group conversation. If you forward to a group, the message appears in that group chat as a message from you, not as a forwarded item from the original sender.

Once you've selected the recipient or group, the message appears in the compose field. You can add your own text before sending if you want to add context, or just tap Send to forward it as-is.

What happens when you forward a message

The person you forward to receives the message as a regular text from you. They don't see any indication that it was originally from someone else — it simply appears in your conversation with them as a message you sent.

If the original message contained a photo or video, that media forwards along with the text. The quality remains the same as the original, and the recipient can save or share it just as they would any other message.

Forwarding does not notify the original sender that their message was shared with someone else. The original conversation remains unchanged on your phone.

Forwarding messages from group conversations

You can forward messages from group chats using the same method: press and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow, and choose where to send it. The message appears in the new conversation as a regular message from you, with no indication that it came from a group chat.

If you're forwarding a message that contains sensitive information or personal details, remember that the person receiving it will see the full content, including any names or details mentioned in the original text.

Troubleshooting when the forward option doesn't appear

If you press and hold a message and the forward arrow doesn't show up, the most common reason is that your iPhone is running an older version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

Some older messages, particularly very old SMS texts or messages from certain services, may not support forwarding. In those cases, you can still copy the text and paste it into a new message manually. Press and hold the message, tap Copy, open a new message to your recipient, and paste the text.

If you're trying to forward a message from a third-party messaging app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, those apps have their own forwarding methods that differ from the standard Messages app. Check the app's menu options by pressing and holding the message.

Forwarding messages without using the forward button

If you prefer not to use the forward arrow, you can manually copy and paste any message. Press and hold the message, tap Copy, then open a new message to your recipient and paste the text. This method works for any message, even if the forward option isn't available.

You can also take a screenshot of a message and send the image to someone, though this is less common and takes more steps. This method is useful only if you want to preserve the exact appearance of the message, including timestamps or formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I forward a message to see who originally sent it?

No. When you forward a message, it appears as a regular message from you in the recipient's conversation with you. There's no indication that it came from someone else, unless you add that context yourself in the message.

What if I forward a message by accident?

You can delete the message you just sent by pressing and holding it and tapping Undo Send, but only within a few seconds of sending. If more time has passed, you'll need to send a follow-up message asking the recipient to disregard the previous one.

Can I forward a message to multiple people at once?

You can forward to one person or one group conversation at a time. If you need to send the same message to multiple people, you'll need to repeat the forward process for each recipient or group.

Does forwarding a message use data or count against my text message limit?

Forwarding through the Messages app uses the same connection as any other message you send. If you're on Wi-Fi, it uses data; if you're on cellular, it counts as a regular text message or iMessage depending on your settings.

Can I forward messages from other apps like WhatsApp or Telegram?

Yes, but each app has its own forwarding method. In WhatsApp, press and hold a message and tap the forward arrow icon. In Telegram, swipe left on a message and tap the forward icon. The exact steps vary by app, so check the app's help section if you're unsure.