What forwarding a text actually means
Forwarding a text means sending someone else's message to a third person without retyping it. Instead of copying the words manually, you use your phone's built-in forward feature, which passes the original message along with a single tap or two. The person who receives the forwarded text sees it came from you, not from the original sender — they will not see a chain showing who wrote it first.
This is different from straightforward showing someone a text on your screen. When you forward, the message lands in their inbox as a separate text, and they can save it, share it again, or search for it later. Most people forward texts to share information quickly — a recipe, an address, a funny joke, or details about plans — without having to retype anything.
Key Takeaways
- Forwarding sends the exact text to someone new; the recipient sees it came from you, not the original sender.
- On iPhone, open the conversation, press and hold the message, then tap Forward and choose a contact.
- On Android, long-press the message, tap the three-dot menu, select Forward, and pick a recipient.
- You can forward a single message or multiple messages at once by selecting them together.
- Forwarded texts appear as regular messages in the recipient's inbox and can be saved or shared again.
How to forward a text on iPhone
Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the text you want to forward. Locate the specific message and press and hold it with your finger until a menu appears above the text. You will see several options pop up on the screen.
Tap the word Forward from the menu that appeared. Your phone will then show you a new message screen with the text already filled in. At the bottom, tap the contact field (usually showing a blue circle or a name box) and type or search for the person you want to send it to. Once you have selected the recipient, tap the blue send arrow in the bottom right corner to forward the message.
If you want to forward multiple texts at once, press and hold the first message, then tap More (three dots) at the bottom right. Tap each additional message you want to include, and they will all be selected. Then tap Forward and choose your recipient the same way.
How to forward a text on Android
Open your default messaging app — this is usually called Messages, SMS, or the name of your carrier (like Verizon Messages or AT&T Messages). Find the conversation with the text you want to forward and long-press (press and hold) the message until it highlights or a menu appears.
Look for a three-dot menu icon or a More option and tap it. From the menu, select Forward. A new message screen will open with the text already in the compose field. Tap the recipient field at the top and type the name or phone number of the person you want to send it to. Once selected, tap the send button (usually a paper airplane or arrow icon) to forward the message.
Some Android phones let you select multiple messages before forwarding. Long-press the first message, then tap additional messages to select them all at once. Then tap the three-dot menu and choose Forward to send them all together to one person.
What the recipient sees when you forward
When someone receives a forwarded text, it appears in their inbox as a regular message from you. They will not see the original sender's name or any indication that you forwarded it from someone else — it just looks like a text you wrote or sent. The message content is exactly the same as the original, word for word.
The recipient can then do anything with the forwarded text that they could do with any other message: save it, screenshot it, forward it again to someone else, or delete it. There is no special "forwarded" label that marks it differently from other texts in their inbox.
When forwarding does not work
Forwarding usually works for regular text messages, but some special types of messages cannot be forwarded. If a message contains a photo, video, or link, most phones will forward it without trouble. However, if you are using an older phone or a messaging app that does not support forwarding, you may not see the forward option in the menu.
Some messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Signal have their own forward features that work slightly differently from standard text forwarding. If you are using one of these apps instead of your phone's built-in Messages app, look for a forward option in that app's menu — it will usually be in the same long-press menu, but the steps may vary slightly.
Forwarding texts with photos or videos
Forwarding a message that includes a photo or video works the same way as forwarding text. Press and hold the message, tap Forward, choose your recipient, and send. The photo or video travels along with any text in the message, so the recipient gets the complete message exactly as it was sent to you.
Keep in mind that forwarding a photo or video uses data or your phone's storage briefly during the send process, just like sending a new photo would. If the original message had multiple photos, all of them will forward together. Some older phones or networks may take longer to send a forwarded message with large video files, but the process is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the original sender see that I forwarded their text?
No. The original sender will not be notified that you forwarded their message. They will not see any record of it on their end. Only you and the person you forwarded it to will know that the message was shared.
What happens if I forward a text to a group chat?
The forwarded message will appear in the group chat just like any other message you send. Everyone in the group will see it, and it will look like a regular message from you. You can forward to a group the same way you forward to an individual — just select the group name as your recipient.
Can I edit a text before forwarding it?
Most phones do not let you edit the message content before forwarding — the text stays exactly as it was. However, after you tap Forward and before you send, you can usually add your own words above or below the forwarded text, or delete parts of it if your phone's app allows editing in the compose field.
Is there a limit to how many texts I can forward at once?
Most phones let you select and forward multiple messages together, but the exact number depends on your phone model and messaging app. Generally, you can forward anywhere from a few messages to dozens at once. If your phone slows down or the app crashes, try forwarding fewer messages in each batch.
What if the forward button does not appear?
If you do not see a Forward option, your messaging app may not support it, or you may be using a third-party app with different features. Try using your phone's default Messages app instead. If the forward option still does not appear, restart your phone or check if your messaging app needs an update.