In today’s fast-paced world, communication needs to be quick, clear, and easy. Sometimes, instead of retyping or taking a screenshot, forwarding a text message directly to someone else is the smartest move. If you’re using an iPhone and wondering how to forward a message, the good news is—it’s incredibly simple, yet many people don’t realize how to do it.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down step-by-step instructions on how to forward a text message on iPhone, explain when and why you might need to use this feature, and show you tips and tricks to make the process even smoother. Whether you’re sharing information from a group chat, forwarding an important message to your boss, or passing on a funny joke, this guide has you covered.
What Does It Mean to Forward a Text Message?
Forwarding a text message simply means taking a message you’ve received and sending it to someone else, just like forwarding an email. The forwarded message looks just like a new message, and the recipient won’t see who originally sent it unless you manually add that detail.
This can be useful in situations like:
- Sharing directions or addresses
- Sending a quote, reminder, or code to another person
- Passing along a confirmation message
- Sharing information in professional or personal conversations
- Transferring messages between your own devices
Now, let’s go over exactly how you can forward a text message using your iPhone.
Step-by-Step: How to Forward a Text Message on iPhone
Step 1: Open the Messages App
First, unlock your iPhone and tap the Messages app (the green icon with a white speech bubble). This will take you to your list of conversations.
Step 2: Select the Conversation
Next, find the conversation that contains the message you want to forward. Tap to open it.
This can be an individual text thread, a group chat, or even a conversation from a verification service or business.
Step 3: Tap and Hold the Specific Message
Scroll to the message you want to forward. It can be:
- A regular SMS text
- An iMessage (the blue messages between Apple users)
- A multimedia message (MMS), such as an image or video
Press and hold on the message bubble until a menu appears. Don’t just tap; you need to press and hold for a second or two.
Step 4: Tap “More…”
After you press and hold the message, a small menu will pop up. One of the options will be “More…”. Tap on it.
This will select the message, and a small checkmark will appear next to it.
If you want to forward multiple messages at once, you can now tap other messages in the conversation to select them too.
Step 5: Tap the Forward Arrow
Once your message(s) are selected, look in the bottom-right corner of the screen. You’ll see a curved arrow icon, which represents forwarding.
Tap it.
A new message window will open, and the message you selected will be copied into the text field—ready to be sent.
Step 6: Choose the Recipient and Send
In the To: field at the top, type the name, number, or email address of the person you want to forward the message to. You can forward to:
- Any saved contact
- A phone number not in your contacts
- Multiple people (just separate names or numbers with commas)
Once ready, tap the Send button (the upward-pointing blue or green arrow).
Congratulations—you just forwarded a message from your iPhone!
Does the Original Sender Know You Forwarded the Message?
No. The original sender will not be notified if you forward their message. The forwarded message is treated as a new message, sent by you to the recipient.
However, keep in mind that if the original message contains personal or private information, it’s always courteous to ask before forwarding.
Can You Forward Photos and Videos Too?
Absolutely. You can forward not only text, but also:
- Photos and videos sent via iMessage or MMS
- GIFs and stickers
- Voice messages (in some iOS versions)
- Links and addresses
The same process applies: just tap and hold the message with the image or media, select More…, then tap the forward arrow and choose the recipient.
How to Forward a Message as a Copy-Paste (Alternative Method)
Sometimes you might not want the message to appear exactly as-is, or maybe you want to edit it before sending. In that case, you can simply copy and paste the text instead of using the forward function.
Here’s how:
- Open the Messages app
- Find and press and hold the message
- Select Copy
- Go back to the main Messages screen
- Tap the new message icon (top-right corner)
- Select the contact
- Tap the message field and paste the text
- Edit the message if needed and send
This method gives you more flexibility and is great if you want to include your own notes or commentary.
Troubleshooting: Can’t Forward a Text Message?
If you’re having trouble forwarding messages, here are a few things to check:
1. Message Type
Some apps (like WhatsApp) have different rules. This guide applies to Messages (iPhone’s native app).
2. iOS Version
Make sure your iPhone is running a recent version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.
3. Restart the Phone
A simple reboot can fix most minor bugs.
4. Try Copy-Paste Instead
If the forward arrow doesn’t work, copy the text manually and send it as a new message.
How Forwarding Works Across iMessage and SMS
When forwarding a message, your iPhone doesn’t differentiate between SMS and iMessage when creating the new message. However, the message format may change slightly:
- iMessages (blue) forwarded to other iMessage users will retain rich content like GIFs, images, and links
- SMS messages (green) will forward as plain text or media, depending on the recipient’s device
If you’re forwarding from iMessage to an Android phone, it will be sent as an SMS or MMS based on the content.
Useful Scenarios for Forwarding Texts
Still not sure why you’d need to forward texts? Here are some real-world examples:
1. Sharing an Address or Meeting Info
Someone texts you the location of an event. Instead of typing it again, you just forward it to your friend.
2. Sending a Confirmation Code
You receive a verification code on your iPhone, but you need to share it with someone else quickly.
3. Work-Related Messages
Your boss sends instructions, and you need to pass them on to your team.
4. Passing Along a Joke or Meme
You get a funny message and want to share the laughter.
5. Relaying a Customer Message
In business, you might receive an inquiry you need to forward to a partner or assistant.
Pro Tips for Smarter Message Forwarding
Here are a few tricks to make message forwarding even more effective:
Tip 1: Forward to Multiple Contacts
You can forward the same message to multiple people at once by typing in several names or numbers in the To field. Great for group announcements.
Tip 2: Add Your Own Comment
After tapping the forward arrow and before sending the message, you can add your own text above or below the original message.
This is perfect for adding context like:
“See what John said below.” or
“Here’s the address for tonight.”
Tip 3: Use Siri for Quick Sharing
You can also say:
“Hey Siri, send this message to Sarah.”
This doesn’t technically “forward” the message but can work for relaying info verbally.
Security and Privacy Considerations
While forwarding messages is convenient, keep in mind the following:
- Respect privacy: Always double-check that you’re not forwarding something sensitive without permission
- Verify the recipient: Ensure you’re sending the message to the right person—mistakes happen
- Check the content: Forwarded messages appear as your own, so ensure you’re okay with everything being shared
Final Thoughts
Forwarding a text message on iPhone is one of those features that’s easy to use but often overlooked. It saves time, helps reduce errors, and is a more polished way to share information than taking screenshots or retyping messages.
Whether you’re using it for business communication, casual chats, or emergency updates, now you know how to forward any message on your iPhone quickly and correctly.
Quick Recap:
- Tap and hold the message → Tap More…
- Tap the forward arrow → Enter recipient → Send
- Use copy-paste for editable forwarding
- Forward photos, videos, and multiple messages too
- Keep privacy and message clarity in mind
With these steps, you’ll never need to ask “How do I forward this?” again.
Would you like a 4-line version of this for a YouTube description?