The simplest way to forward a text on iPhone

Open the Messages app, find the conversation containing the text you want to forward, and tap 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) at the bottom right of the screen. Select the contact or conversation you want to send it to, then tap Send.

That's the complete process. The message arrives as a separate text to the recipient, not as a screenshot or attachment. They see it exactly as it was written, with the original sender's name attached so they know where it came from.

If you don't see the forward arrow after tapping More, make sure you're running iOS 16 or later. Older iPhone software doesn't have this built-in forward feature, though you can still copy and paste the text manually instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap and hold a message in the Messages app, then tap More and the forward arrow to send it to another contact.
  • The forwarded message shows the original sender's name, so the recipient knows who wrote it.
  • If the forward arrow doesn't appear, your iPhone software is older than iOS 16 and you'll need to copy and paste instead.
  • You can forward multiple messages at once by tapping More and selecting several messages before forwarding.
  • Forwarded messages are sent as regular texts, not screenshots, so they remain searchable and straightforward to read.

Forwarding multiple messages at once

If you need to send several messages from the same conversation, you don't have to forward them one at a time. Tap and hold the first message, then tap More. Now tap each additional message you want to include — a checkmark appears next to each one you select. Once you've chosen all the messages, tap the forward arrow, pick your recipient, and tap Send.

All the selected messages will arrive as a group in the order they were originally sent. The recipient sees them stacked together with timestamps, so they understand the sequence and context.

What happens when you forward a message

When you forward a text, the recipient receives it as a new message from you, not from the original sender. However, the original sender's name appears in the message itself so there's no confusion about who wrote it. The timestamp of the original message is also included.

The original sender does not get notified that their message was forwarded. Forwarding is a private action on your end — it doesn't create any record on their phone or alert them that you've shared their text with someone else.

Forwarding to multiple people

You can forward the same message to several different contacts in one action. After tapping and holding the message and selecting More, tap the forward arrow. The contact selection screen appears. Tap each person or group chat you want to send it to — you'll see a checkmark next to each one. Then tap Send and the message goes to all of them at once.

Each recipient receives the message as a separate text from you. They don't see that you also sent it to other people unless you tell them.

If you can't find the forward option

The forward feature requires iOS 16 or later. If you're using an older version of iPhone software, the forward arrow won't appear in the menu. Check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. Look for the number next to "Software Version."

If you're running iOS 15 or earlier, you can still share the message by copying it and pasting it into a new text. Tap and hold the message, tap Copy, then open a new message to your recipient, tap in the text field, and tap Paste. This method doesn't include the original sender's name automatically, so you may want to type it in yourself to avoid confusion.

Forwarding messages with photos or links

You can forward messages that contain photos, videos, or links using the same method. Tap and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow, choose your recipient, and tap Send. The photo, video, or link comes through intact on the other end.

If the message contains multiple media files, they all forward together. The recipient sees them in the same order and format as they appeared in the original message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the original sender know I forwarded their message?

No. Forwarding is invisible to the person who sent the original message. They won't receive any notification or alert that you've shared their text with someone else.

Can I forward a message from a group chat?

Yes. The process is the same — tap and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow, and choose where to send it. The recipient sees the original sender's name and the message content, but not the fact that it came from a group conversation.

What if I forward a message by accident?

There's no undo button for forwarded messages. Once you tap Send, the message goes to the recipient. If you realize you've sent it to the wrong person, you'll need to contact them and ask them to delete it or explain the mistake.

Can I forward a message to someone who isn't in my contacts?

Yes, but you'll need to type their phone number or email address. When the contact selection screen appears after tapping the forward arrow, you can type a number or address directly instead of selecting from your contacts list.

Does forwarding work with iMessage and regular text messages?

Yes. The forward feature works with both iMessage (blue bubbles) and regular SMS text messages (green bubbles). The process is identical regardless of message type.