How to Share a Text Message on the iPhone

Forward text messages, photos, and videos to others on an iOS device

forward text messages on iPhone
image credit: Jonathan Knowles/Stone/Getty Images
by Sam Costello
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
Updated May 26, 2019

The Messages app that comes installed on every iPhone and iPad has a feature that lets you forward text messages using the Share option. This also allows you to print text messages as an option.

You're not limited to forwarding just text from messages. If someone texts you a photo or video, you can forward that, too. Follow all the same steps and select the photo or video.

How to Forward a Text Message on iOS 7 and Later

In the version of Messages that comes with iPhones and iPads running iOS 7 (that's basically all models still in use), there's no obvious button that lets you forward text messages. Here's how to find it and forward a text:

  1. Tap Messages.

  2. Select the conversation that includes the message you want to forward.

  3. Tap and hold the message you want to forward. A pop-up menu appears at the bottom of the screen offering you several, including Copy, Save, and More (in iOS 10, reaction options will appear above the text message, but you can ignore those when forwarding).

    iOS text message options with menu

  4. Tap More.

  5. The message you selected will have a blue checkmark next to it, indicating that it's ready to be forwarded. You can also tap other empty circles to forward those messages at the same time.

  6. Tap Share (the curved arrow at the bottom of the screen). A new text message screen appears with the message or messages you're forwarding copied into the area where you normally write the text. 

  7. In the To field, type the name or phone number of the person you want to forward the message to.

    Access your contacts by tapping the + on the right side of the To field and browse for the recipient to whom you want to forward the message.

    Three iOS screens showing More and Share buttons, and To field when forwarding an iMessage

  8. Tap Send.

With that done, the text message has been forwarded to a new person. 

Forwarding Texts on iOS 6 or Earlier

You can forward text messages on older iPhones running iOS 6 and earlier, too, but the way you do it is a bit different. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Tap Messages to open a message.

  2. Go to the text conversation that includes the message you want to forward.

  3. Tap Edit.

  4. An empty circle appears next to each message in the conversation. Tap the message (or messages) you want to forward. A check mark will appear in the circle.

  5. Tap Forward.

  6. Type the name or phone number of the person you want to forward the text message to.

    Access your contacts by tapping the + on the right side of the To field and browse for the recipient to whom you want to forward the message.

    Double check that the text message you want to forward and the name of the person you're sending it to are both correct.

  7. Tap Send. 

Here's how to fix an iPhone that won't send text messages if you are having issues.

How to Forward a Text Message to Multiple Recipients

You can forward texts to multiple recipients. Follow the steps above for your version of iOS, and simply enter each contact or phone number in the To field. 

Other Apps for Sharing Messages

You can use many other text messaging apps on your iPhone, such as WhatsApp, Kik, or Line, which offer a variety of features, including forwarding.