How to Forward Text Messages on Android in 5 Easy Steps

Key Points

• Forwarding text messages on Android can be done using the built-in forwarding feature, copy-paste method, sharing method, third-party apps, or group forwarding.
• The sharing method is useful for forwarding messages through email or other apps.
• Third-party apps like SMS Forwarder can automatically forward messages to specified phone numbers or email addresses.

No need to screenshot a text or rewrite everything – you can just forward the message. Forwarding comes in handy when you don’t want to retype a message or open a group chat. Once you know the methods and steps, you’ll find that forwarding messages on Android is pretty easy.

Method 1: Using the Forwarding Feature in the Messaging App

Most messaging apps have a forwarding feature that lets you send a message to another number or address. Although the steps may vary slightly for different apps, the process is the same. Let’s see how to do it with a Google Messaging app. 

Step 1: Open the messaging app

Open your app drawer and locate the app, or search for it in the search apps bar. 

Step 2: Get the message you want to forward 

While on the messaging app, click on the conversation with the message you want to forward, then locate the message.

Step 3: Open the forward option

Long press on the message to select it, then tap the three lines at the top right corner. On the options that open, “select Forward.”

Step 4: Select a contact or number to forward the message 

After tapping forward, you’ll get a list of recently contacted contacts through messages. If the contact you want to send the message to is on that list, tap it to select. Otherwise, “tap New Message” at the bottom to add a contact or a number you have not recently contacted. 

Step 5: Send the message

The message you chose to forward will open as a new one. Here, you can edit or add some thoughts. When ready, send it by hitting the paper-like icon at the bottom right corner.

Check out this helpful video that provides a great walkthrough on how to forward a message from an android phone:

Method 2: Using the Copy-Paste Method,

You can also take a quick approach to forward texts. Copy and paste and then hit send after you’ve edited or merged multiple texts. Let’s look at this method in detail.

Step 1: Open the message you want to forward

Open your messaging app, then open the conversation with the message you intend to forward. While in the conversation thread, locate the message to forward. 

Step 2: Copy the message 

Long press on the message, then click the copy icon (two overlapping squares). 

Step 3: Paste and send the message 

Open the conversation thread of the person you intend to forward the message to, then tap the message compose field. Long press on the part with the blinking cursor, then “select Paste.”

Step 4: Send the message 

After making the necessary modifications, hit the send icon at the bottom right corner. 

Method 3: Using the Sharing Method

Did you know the ‘Share’ method is an alternative when forwarding messages? However, this method is better if you intend to forward the message using apps like email. Below are the steps you follow. 

Step 1: Open the messaging app 

Click the messaging app, and open the conversation with the message you want to forward. 

Step 2: Open the Share feature

Long-press the message you want to forward to select it, then tap the three lines at the top right of the screen. “Select Share” among the options that open. 

Step 3: Select the app you want to share with 

After selecting share, a list of apps will pop up. Select the app you want to use to forward the message. 

Step 4: Send the message 

Select the contact of the person you want to share the message. For instance, enter the recipient’s email address if you are using email. Edit the message if necessary, then tap the send icon. 

Method 4: Using a Third-Party App

A third-party app can forward messages to a specified phone number or email address. This method is ideal for automatically forwarding SMS received at a specific phone number. 

Some apps allow you to set the kind of messages you want to forward and when to forward them. Let’s see how to use the SMS Forwarder third-party app. 

Step 1: Get the app 

Open Google Play Store on your device and search SMS Forwarder. Tap Install to download it. 

Step 2: Open the app 

Locate the SMS Forwarder app from your apps drawer. Its icon is two phones with a forward arrow between them. Then, read its terms and policies and agree to continue.

Step 3: Add the number or email you want to forward your messages to 

Tap the plus (+) sign on the screen to open a field where you will enter the phone number or email address you want to forward the messages. 

Step 4: Enter your forwarding criteria 

After entering the email address or phone number, scroll the screen to the left to the “Forwarding conditions” page. The box next to “Forward all messages” is checked, and you can leave it that way if you intend to forward all your messages. 

Otherwise, you can uncheck it to open other fields where you can enter your forwarding conditions. Swipe left to find other criteria you can adjust. 

Step 5: Send a test email or message 

After your setup, the app allows you to send a test email or SMS. You will receive a test email or message confirming the forwarding has been set up correctly. Henceforth, the app will forward the messages that meet your criteria to your provided channel. 

Method 5: Group Forwarding

If you have a message that you need to forward to several people, you don’t have forward a text to each contact. Instead, you can send the text to all the contacts you want to send to simultaneously. Here is how you do it. 

Step 1: Open the message you want to forward 

Open your SMS app, then tap on the conversation with the text you want to forward.

Step 2: Open the forward feature 

Long press on the message you want to forward, then tap the three lines at the top right to open more options. “Select Forward” among them. 

Step 3: Enter the numbers you want to forward the message to

Open a list of contacts you recently texted and “click New message” at the bottom. Under that, “select Create Group” to add several contacts. Tap all the contacts to whom you intend to send the message. 

Step 4: Send the message 

After selecting the contacts to send the message, tap next at the top right corner. This will prompt you to enter a group name, which is optional, then adjust the message if necessary, then tap the send icon at the bottom right. 

You’re done! The forwarded text and their replies will appear in the conversations of each of the recipients you selected. 

Conclusion 

Judging from the methods above, forwarding text messages in Android is a doddle. However, remember that the recipient won’t know the message was forwarded. Therefore, if they need to know,  add this information before sending it. Additionally, Android doesn’t have a feature for forwarding a thread of messages together. If you need to forward many messages, you must copy them one at a time. 

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