The basic steps to forward a text on iPhone

Open the Messages app and find the conversation you want to forward. Press and hold the specific message (not the whole thread) until a menu appears. Tap More, then select any other messages in that conversation you want to include by tapping the circle next to each one. Once you've chosen all the messages, tap Forward in the bottom right corner. A new message window opens with your selected texts already inside — type in the recipient's name or number and send.

The forwarded messages appear as a block of text in the new conversation, preserving the original sender's name and timestamp. This works the same way whether you're forwarding one message or several in a row. If you change your mind before sending, tap the back arrow to return to your conversation without forwarding anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Forwarding a text on iPhone requires holding down a single message, tapping More, selecting additional messages if needed, and then tapping Forward.
  • The forwarded messages show the original sender's name and the time they were sent, so the recipient knows where the text came from.
  • You cannot forward a message to a group chat the same way you forward to an individual — you have to copy and paste or manually retype instead.
  • Forwarding a text that contains sensitive information like a one-time code or password puts that information in a new conversation where it may be stored differently or seen by someone you didn't intend.

Why forwarding a text with sensitive information is risky

When you forward a message containing a security code, password, or account number, you're creating a second copy of that sensitive data in a new conversation thread. That new thread has its own backup, its own storage location, and potentially different privacy settings than the original. If your phone is lost, stolen, or compromised, a hacker may find both the original message and the forwarded copy.

The person you forward to also now has that sensitive information. If their phone is hacked, their account is breached, or they accidentally share their phone with someone else, your security code or password is exposed. This is especially dangerous with one-time codes sent by banks, email providers, or social media platforms — those codes are meant to be used once and then discarded, not stored in multiple places or shared with others.

What happens when you forward a message with a code or password

A security code or password forwarded through text becomes a permanent record in two people's phones instead of one. Neither person can truly delete it — even if you delete the message from your phone, it may still exist in iCloud backups, in the recipient's phone, or in their backups. If the recipient's phone is ever hacked or sold, that code is still there.

Some services (like banks and email providers) assume that if a code reaches your phone, only you have seen it. When you forward that code to someone else, you're breaking that assumption. If the person you forward to accidentally uses the code, or if someone gains access to their phone and uses it, the account owner (you) may not realize what happened until it's too late.

Safer alternatives to forwarding sensitive texts

If someone asks you to forward a security code or password, the safest answer is no. Instead, tell them to request a new code directly from the service — most banks, email providers, and social platforms will send a fresh code within seconds. This keeps the code in only one place and ensures the person requesting it is the one who receives it.

If you need to share information from a text for a non-sensitive reason (like forwarding a friend's address or a restaurant recommendation), forwarding is fine. But for anything involving account access, financial information, or authentication codes, copy the information by hand or take a screenshot and delete it after the person has read it. This gives you more control over how long the information stays visible.

How to tell if a text contains something you shouldn't forward

Any message that contains a code, password, PIN, or account number should not be forwarded. This includes:

  • Six-digit codes from your bank, email, or social media
  • Temporary passwords sent during account recovery
  • Credit card numbers or the three-digit security code on the back
  • Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers
  • Answers to security questions you've set up

If you're unsure whether a message is sensitive, ask yourself: would I want this information in someone else's phone permanently? If the answer is no, don't forward it. When in doubt, delete the message after you've used it and ask the sender to resend it if you need it again.

What to do if you've already forwarded a sensitive message

If you've forwarded a security code, password, or account number to someone you trust, contact that person and ask them to delete the message. Then delete it from your own phone and your Trash folder (in Messages, swipe left on the conversation and tap Edit, then Delete). Empty your Recently Deleted folder by opening Messages, tapping Edit in the upper left, then Empty next to Recently Deleted.

If you forwarded sensitive information to someone you don't fully trust, or if you're not sure who received it, change the password or security settings for that account when ready. Contact the service (your bank, email provider, or social platform) and let them know the code or password may have been compromised. They can reset your account, issue a new code, or lock access until you verify your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward a text to multiple people at once?

No. When you tap Forward, a new message window opens with one recipient field. You can type multiple names or numbers separated by commas, but you're sending the same forwarded message to each person in separate conversations. You cannot forward a single message to a group chat directly.

Does the person I forward a message to see my name or the original sender's name?

They see the original sender's name and the timestamp of when that message was sent. Your name does not appear on the forwarded message itself, but it appears as the sender of the new message thread containing the forward. So they know you sent it to them, but they also know who originally sent it.

If I delete a forwarded message, does it disappear from the other person's phone?

No. Deleting a message from your phone only removes it from your device and your backups. The person you forwarded it to still has it in their phone. The only way to remove it from their phone is to ask them to delete it themselves.

What if someone asks me to forward a text but won't tell me why?

Don't forward it. If the request seems odd or the person is being secretive about the reason, that's a sign something may be wrong. Legitimate requests usually come with a clear explanation. If you're uncomfortable, it's safer to say no and ask them to contact the original sender directly.