The simplest way to forward a text on Android
To forward a text message on Android, open the Messages app, find the conversation with the text you want to forward, press and hold the specific message until a menu appears, then tap Forward. Select the contact or group you want to send it to, and tap send. The message will arrive as a separate text, not as part of the original conversation.
The exact steps vary slightly depending on which Android phone you have and which messaging app you use — Samsung phones come with Samsung Messages, while most others use Google Messages. Both work the same way, but the button locations and menu options look a little different. The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold a single message in your Messages app until a menu pops up, then tap Forward to send it to someone else.
- You can forward to one person or to a group, and the message arrives as a new text rather than part of the original chain.
- If you want to forward multiple messages at once, select them all before tapping Forward — this works on most Android phones.
- Forwarded messages show up without the original sender's name attached, so the person receiving it may not know who originally wrote it.
Forwarding a single message in Google Messages
Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the text you want to forward. Locate the specific message and press your finger on it for about two seconds without lifting. A menu will appear at the top of the screen with several options including a trash icon, a copy icon, and a Forward button (it looks like an arrow pointing right).
Tap the Forward button. A new screen will open showing your contacts. Type the name of the person you want to send it to, or scroll through your recent contacts and tap their name. Once you select a recipient, the message appears in the compose field. Tap the send button (usually a paper airplane icon) to forward it. The message will arrive as a standalone text, not as part of a conversation thread.
Forwarding a single message in Samsung Messages
Open the Messages app on your Samsung phone and find the conversation with the message you want to forward. Press and hold the message for about two seconds. A menu will appear with options at the top of the screen. Look for the three dots (called a menu button) and tap it to see more options, or look directly for a Forward option if it appears in the initial menu.
Tap Forward. Your contacts list will open. Search for or scroll to find the person you want to send the message to, then tap their name. The message will appear ready to send. Tap the send button to complete the forward. The recipient will receive it as a new message, separate from any ongoing conversation.
Forwarding multiple messages at once
If you want to forward several messages from the same conversation, most Android phones let you select more than one before forwarding. Open the conversation and press and hold the first message you want to forward. Instead of tapping Forward, look for a checkbox or selection indicator next to the message. Tap additional messages to select them as well — you should see a number appear showing how many you have selected.
Once you have selected all the messages you want to forward, tap the Forward button. All selected messages will be forwarded together to your chosen recipient. They will arrive as a group, usually in the order they were originally sent. This is useful when you want to share a back-and-forth conversation or a series of related texts without forwarding them one at a time.
What the person receiving the forwarded message sees
When you forward a text, the recipient receives it as a brand new message in their Messages app. They will see the text content itself, but they will not automatically know who originally wrote it — the message does not include the original sender's name or any indication that it was forwarded. This is different from email, where forwarded messages usually show the original sender's information.
If you want the recipient to know who wrote the original message, you will need to tell them separately. You might text them first saying "My friend Sarah sent me this" before forwarding the message, or you could copy the message text and paste it into a new message with context added. This prevents confusion when someone receives a forwarded text without knowing its source.
Forwarding to a group instead of one person
When the Forward menu opens and shows your contacts, you can select a group conversation instead of a single person. Scroll through your recent conversations or search for the group name. Tap the group, and the message will be forwarded to everyone in that group at once. This is faster than forwarding the same message to multiple people individually.
Keep in mind that everyone in the group will receive the message, so only forward to a group if the message is relevant to all of them. The forwarded message will appear in the group conversation as a regular message from you, not as a separate notification or special type of text.
Troubleshooting if Forward does not appear
If you press and hold a message and do not see a Forward option, your phone may be using a different messaging app. Some Android phones come with a custom messaging app that does not support forwarding, or you may have installed a third-party app like WhatsApp or Telegram that works differently. Check which app you are using by looking at the app name at the top of the screen.
If you are using Google Messages or Samsung Messages and still do not see Forward, try updating the app. Open the Google Play Store, search for your messaging app, and tap Update if an update is available. After updating, the Forward option should appear. If it still does not work, try restarting your phone — sometimes the app needs a fresh start to display all its features correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward a text to someone who is not in my contacts?
Yes. When the Forward menu opens, you can type a phone number directly instead of selecting a contact name. Type the number in the search field, and it will appear as an option. Tap it and send the message. The forwarded text will go to that phone number even if you have not saved it as a contact.
Does the original sender know when I forward their message?
No. Forwarding a text does not notify the person who sent it to you. They will not receive any alert or indication that you shared their message with someone else. This is different from some social media platforms, which do send notifications when content is shared.
Can I forward a picture or video message?
Yes. The same press-and-hold method works for photos, videos, and other media. Tap Forward, select your recipient, and the image or video will be forwarded along with any text that came with it. The quality and file size remain the same as the original.
What happens if I forward a message with a link in it?
The link stays in the message when you forward it. The recipient will see the same link and can tap it just as if you had sent it to them originally. This is useful for sharing articles, videos, or other web content that someone sent you.
Can I edit a message before forwarding it?
No. The Forward feature sends the message exactly as it was written. If you want to change the text before sending it, you will need to copy the message, create a new text, paste it in, edit it, and then send it manually. This takes longer but gives you full control over what the recipient sees.