To forward a text message, long-press the message, tap Forward, choose a recipient, then send on iPhone or Android.
Need to pass a message along without retyping? Forwarding keeps the original wording, preserves timestamps or media where supported, and cuts down on mistakes. Below you’ll find quick paths for Apple and Android phones, plus tips for links, photos, and group chats.
Forwarding A Text On Your Phone: Quick Steps
Here’s the fast workflow on the two major platforms. Exact labels can vary a bit by model or app version.
| Phone Or App | Tap Path | Sends |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (Messages) | Open thread → touch and hold a bubble → More → arrow icon → pick contact → Send | SMS/MMS/RCS text, links, images, files |
| Android (Google Messages) | Open thread → touch and hold → three dots → Forward → pick contact → Send | SMS/MMS/RCS text, links, images, files |
| Samsung Messages | Open thread → touch and hold → three dots → Forward → pick contact → Send | SMS/MMS text, links, images, files |
iPhone Steps With Tiny Extras
Apple’s Messages app forwards a single bubble or several at once. You can add your own line above the forwarded content if you need context.
- Open Messages and enter the conversation.
- Touch and hold the exact bubble you want to pass along.
- Tap More. Select extra bubbles if needed.
- Tap the forward arrow at the bottom right.
- Type a name or number, or pick from your list.
- Hit Send.
Forwarding keeps the original item as a new bubble in a fresh thread. If the clip includes a photo or file, it usually rides along. If you need the layout from the chat (bubbles plus timestamps), snap a screenshot and send that image.
Want Apple-to-Apple forwarding across devices? Turn on Text Message Forwarding so SMS/MMS/RCS on the phone can appear on a Mac or iPad that uses the same Apple ID.
Android Steps In Google Messages
The default Android texting app forwards with a long press. The icon or label can read Forward or appear as a right-facing arrow.
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Touch and hold the bubble. A checkmark appears.
- Tap the three dots in the top right.
- Pick Forward.
- Select a contact, group, or enter a number or email if your carrier supports it.
- Tap the arrow to send.
Media usually forwards as part of a new MMS or RCS message. On some phones, very large videos convert to a link. If the option is greyed out, copy the text and paste it into a new thread.
Group Chats, Links, And Media
Text forwarding works inside single chats and most groups. A forwarded link sends as a fresh bubble; previews can regenerate when the message lands. When you pass on a photo, the phone may compress it to fit carrier limits. If quality matters, share the original file from your gallery or cloud app.
Privacy And Etiquette Basics
- Check if the message includes private info. Get consent before relaying sensitive items.
- Trim down. You can forward one line instead of the full thread.
- Add context. A short note can explain why the person is getting this.
- Respect workplaces and classrooms. Don’t relay chats that break policy.
Make It Work Every Time
If forwarding fails or looks different, the items below usually solve it.
| Problem | What To Try | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| No Forward Option | Update the texting app; long-press a single bubble; try copy-and-paste as a fallback | Older builds hide the menu; one message per action triggers the menu |
| Media Won’t Send | Switch to Wi-Fi; trim the clip; send a link to the file | MMS size caps drop on weak networks; large files hit carrier limits |
| Wrong Contact Chosen | Use the share sheet from the photo viewer; confirm the number before tapping send | The share sheet shows recent contacts with avatars |
| Forwarded Text Looks Jumbled | Send a screenshot image instead | The image preserves bubble order and timestamps |
| Forward From Mac Or iPad | Sign in with the same Apple ID; enable Text Message Forwarding on the phone | Continuity relays SMS/MMS/RCS through the phone |
| Spam Or Scam Content | Use the built-in spam report; don’t forward to others | Reporting flags the sender and protects contacts |
Where Each Menu Item Lives
Menu labels move a bit between models, but the gesture stays the same: long-press the bubble. On iPhone, More appears above the bubble; the arrow sits at the bottom right. On many Android phones, the three-dot menu sits in the top bar; inside that menu you’ll see Forward. Samsung’s app mirrors the same path.
Tips For Clean Forwards
- Quote only what matters. Pick specific bubbles to avoid relaying private side chatter.
- Label the handoff. Add a line such as “From shipping” or “From the coach.”
- Keep media crisp. When size caps crush quality, share a cloud link with view-only rights.
- Keep threads tidy. Forward to the right person instead of forming a new group each time.
Safety Notes And Scam Shields
Think twice before spreading a code, bank alert, prize notice, or sender name you don’t know. Modern texting apps flag shady patterns and can warn you before you share. When in doubt, delete and block the sender.
Spam filters keep getting better. Many phones show a red banner on messages that push fake prizes, bank password resets, or codes you never asked for. Don’t pass those along. Block the sender. If a link looks odd, send a screenshot to your IT lead instead of forwarding the live link.
Device-To-Device Relays
Apple phones can mirror regular texts and media to a Mac or iPad that signs in with the same account. That relay lets you forward from the larger screen. Android users get a similar benefit by pairing the phone with the desktop web app at messages.google.com and sending from a computer browser.
Copy, Share Sheet, Or Screenshot?
You have three reliable ways to pass content along:
Copy And Paste
For plain text, copy the bubble and paste into a new thread. This avoids metadata you don’t want to pass on.
Share Sheet
From a photo viewer, hit the share icon and pick a contact. This keeps original quality when the app supports it.
Screenshot
Use a screenshot when layout matters, such as timestamps, stickers, or a poll. Crop out extra names before sending.
Quick Answers To Common Cases
Send One Bubble To Several People
On iPhone, select multiple recipients on the forward screen. On Android, use the contact picker and tap each person before sending.
Forward From A Group Without Noise
Pick the one bubble, forward to a single contact, and add a short note. No new group forms unless you choose that path.
Keep A Paper Trail
Forward to your own number or email when your app allows it. Another route is to save the bubble as a note or file and share the link.
When Not To Forward
Skip relaying anything that includes passwords, one-time codes, medical details, or HR matters. If your employer has a retention rule, use approved channels instead of SMS or MMS.
Learn More From The Source
If you want platform specifics, see Apple’s guide to forward and share messages, and Google’s page on send and read messages in Google Messages. Both pages outline menu names, supported media, and cross-device options.
Checklist Before You Hit Send
- Picked the right bubble?
- Removed excess info?
- Added a short line for context?
- Sending to the right person?
When this becomes muscle memory, you’ll move faster and avoid slip-ups. The menu lives in the same spot in most builds, so one method carries across phones. If a step looks new after an update, the long-press still starts the process.
Bottom Line For Busy Hands
Long-press the bubble, choose the forward action, pick the recipient, and send. Once you practice it a few times, passing along the right info takes seconds. Now.