The simplest way to forward a text on iPhone

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the text you want to forward. Press and hold the specific message (not the whole conversation) until a menu appears. Tap More, then tap the forward arrow icon at the bottom right of the screen. Select the contact or group you want to send it to, then tap Send.

That's the full process. The message arrives as a separate text, not as a screenshot or copy-paste, so the recipient sees exactly what was sent to you.

If you don't see the forward arrow after tapping More, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS. In that case, press and hold the message, tap Copy, open a new message to your recipient, paste the text, and send it manually. The result is the same — the text arrives as a message — but it takes one extra step.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold a single message in the Messages app, tap More, then tap the forward arrow to send it to another contact.
  • Forwarding sends the original message as a new text, not as a screenshot, so the recipient sees the exact content you received.
  • If the forward arrow doesn't appear, copy the message text and paste it into a new message instead.
  • You can forward multiple messages at once by tapping More and selecting each message you want to include before sending.

Forwarding multiple messages at once

If you need to send several messages from the same conversation, you don't have to forward them one by one. 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 of them, tap the forward arrow and choose your recipient.

All the selected messages will arrive in a single thread to the person you're sending them to, in the same order they appeared in the original conversation. This is useful when you're forwarding a back-and-forth exchange that gives context, rather than a single line taken out of context.

Why forwarding matters when messages contain sensitive information

When you forward a text message, you're passing along everything in it — including any codes, links, or account information. If the original message contained a two-factor authentication code, a password reset link, or a verification number, forwarding it means that information now exists in two places instead of one.

This is why forwarding texts that contain account security codes is risky. Someone who gains access to the recipient's phone, or who intercepts the message, now has access to the same sensitive information. If you must share account-related information, consider whether the recipient actually needs the original message, or whether you could tell them the information verbally instead.

The same caution applies to forwarding messages that contain financial details, personal identification numbers, or links to reset passwords. Each forward creates another copy of that information in the phone system.

What happens when you forward a message with photos or links

If the original message included a photo, link, or other attachment, the forward includes it as well. The recipient receives the same image or link you received. If the link has expired or the photo has been deleted from the sender's server, the recipient may see a broken link or a missing image, just as you would.

Forwarding a message with a link does not create a new link or refresh an old one — it passes along the exact link from the original message. If that link was time-sensitive (like a password reset or a temporary read), forwarding it doesn't extend the time limit.

Forwarding to groups or multiple people

After you tap the forward arrow, the contact selection screen appears. You can tap a single person, or you can tap multiple contacts to send the same message to several people at once. Tap each contact's name or circle to select them, then tap Send. Each person receives the message as a separate text, not as a group message.

If you want to send the message to a group chat instead of individual people, look for the group name in the contact list and tap it. The message will arrive in that group conversation.

If the forward option isn't working

The forward feature requires iOS 16 or later. If you're running an older version of iOS, you won't see the forward arrow. Check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. If an update is available, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install it.

If you've updated iOS and the forward arrow still doesn't appear, try closing the Messages app completely and opening it again. Press and hold the message once more. If it still doesn't work, the copy-and-paste method will accomplish the same thing.

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 itself, not the original sender's name or number. They know you sent it to them, but not who sent it to you originally. If you want them to know the source, you'll need to tell them.

Does forwarding a message notify the original sender?

No. The person who sent you the original message has no way of knowing you forwarded it. Forwarding is invisible to them — it's a separate action between you and the recipient.

What's the difference between forwarding and taking a screenshot?

Forwarding sends the actual message text as a new message. A screenshot is a photo of your screen, which is larger, shows more context, and can be edited or cropped. Forwarding is cleaner and preserves only the message itself. Screenshots are useful when you need to show the exact appearance of the conversation, including timestamps or sender names.

Can I forward a message I received from an unknown number?

Yes. You can forward any message in your Messages app, regardless of who sent it. The forwarded message will show only the text content, not the sender's identity, so the recipient won't know where it came from unless you tell them.

If I forward a message with a link, can the recipient tell where the link came from?

They can see the link itself, but not necessarily where you got it. If the link contains identifying information in its URL, they might be able to tell. Otherwise, they'll only know what you tell them about its source.