How to Forward a Text Message on the iPhone

iPhone & iPod

Updated November 19, 2018

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Have you ever gotten a text message that's so funny, so frustrating, so amazing that you just have to share it? If so, then you need to learn how to forward a text message on the iPhone and iPad.

You can also print text messages, if that's how you would prefer to share (or archive) them.

Messages, the text messaging app that comes pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad, has a feature that lets you forward text messages. Depending on what version of the OS you're running, it can be a little hard to find, but it's there. Here's what you need to know.

(You can use many other text messaging apps on your iPhone, such as WhatsApp, Kik, or Line, all of which likely support forwarding text messages. Because there are so many other apps, it's not possible to include instructions for each one in a single article.)

How to Forward a Text Message on iOS 7 and Up

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. Unless you know what to do, the feature is hidden. Here's how to find it and forward a text:

Tap Messages to open it.
Go to the text conversation that includes the message you want to forward.
Tap and hold on the individual message you want to forward (the speech balloon with the message in it).
A pop-up menu appears at the bottom of the screen offering you two choices: Copy and More (in iOS 10, other options appear above the speech balloon, but you can ignore them). Tap More.
An empty circle appears next to each message. 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 circles to forward them at the same time, too.
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.
In the To: section, type the name or phone number of the person you want to forward the message to, or tap the + to browse your contact. This works the same way as it does normally when you write a message.
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:

Tap Messages to open a message.
Go to the text conversation that includes the message you want to forward.
Tap Edit.
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.
Tap Forward.
Type the name or phone number of the person you want to forward the text message to or tap the + to browse your contacts like you would with a normal 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.
Tap Send.

Forwarding a Text Message to Multiple Recipients

Just like you can send one text to multiple people, you can also forward texts to multiple recipients. Follow the steps above for your version of the operating system. When you get to the step where you choose who to forward the message to, enter multiple names or phone numbers instead of just one.

Forwarding Photos and Videos Via Text Message

You're not limited to forwarding boring old words. If someone texts you a photo or video, you can forward that, too. Follow all the same steps as listed above and select the photo or video instead of the text.