With the constant changes to Apple’s mobile operating system, for some users, it appears that the “forward message” command has all but disappeared. We’ve seen a countless number of people ask others how the heck to find this option. I have only ever forwarded a message once in the three years I’ve been using iPhones and it was long before the option to do so was moved to where it is now.
This short tutorial applies to both regular text messages and iMessages on the iPhone 7 – it works the same for both.
iOS 7 & Higher
- Open the “Messaging” app, then open the message thread you wish to forward.
- Tap and hold the message bubble for about two seconds. A “More” button will appear that you can select.
- Choose any other messages you would like to forward by checking the circle next to them. Once they are all selected, tap the arrow in the lower-right corner.
- Type a contact name or phone number in the “To:” field. Finish the message by modifying it as you see fit, then tap “Send” when you’re ready to forward the message.
iOS 6 and Below
- With your messages open to the one you wish to forward, notice that there is an “Edit” button in the top-right corner of the screen. This is NOT just for deleting messages – nope! This is where Apple hid the magic from you.
- You will now see little circles to the left of each individual message. Tap the circles next to any and all messages you wish to forward. You’ll notice that the message itself – along with the options at the bottom – are now highlighted. Tap on the “Forward” button.
- The new message screen will open, allowing you to select recipients. You can manually type in a phone number, start typing a name and let iOS help you choose your target or click the + sign to the right to open your Contacts list.
As soon as you finish selecting your recipient(s), you’re ready to send the message back into cyberspace. Notice, also, that you’ll have all of the “normal” options – just like when you compose a brand-new message. You can add a photograph, edit the message you’re forwarding and even add something to it.
That’s all there is to it! Happy texting!
FAQ
Why is the forwarding arrow missing from my iPhone?
Try the steps outlined in the post “How to fix text Message Forwarding Issues on iOS 8.1” to solve the issue with the forwarding icon missing.
joe says
thank you..it’s simple when someone knowledgable shows the way
Barry Harwick says
I have an I-phone 6s. I tried to follow the instructions on how to forward a text. However, my phone does not have an “edit” button on the upper right portion of the screen. Without that, I can’t move on to the other steps. Suggestions?
iPhone User says
I found that I can send messages to my Email by creating another name. I used my nick name and actual last name. The Email Address is the same in both, but Message enabled Phone numbers are not included.
Wayne says
When I try to send message to my own email it sends it back to my text message is there a way to get it to send to my email
Thanks
Finn Gellatly says
I cannot forward text messages from my iPhone 6 with the latest update. I tried “edit” but the only option I get is to delete, no matter how long I press the “bubble”.
Janelle Avery says
I found this so helpful. But the instructions for iPhone 6 didn’t work on the 6s. But the iOS 7 instructions did. Thank you!!
Rbs says
i have an iphone 6s with latest firmware. I went to an sms message, pressed and held and got “more” i then clickef on every circle (select all would have been nice) then i sent all of these messages to my email account. Oops i only got the 1st selected message the other 153 were lost. Anybody have a fix ???
Teroni says
Hi . This is very helpful, thank you, but I really need the dates and time stamps to be included in the entire conversation that I am trying to save/ forward. Any tips on how to do this?
Linda says
Thank u for making it so easy to follow!
Matt says
Perfect, thanks.
Reed Gleason says
Worked for me, thank you.
Becca says
This option doesn’t work if you want to forward to a text message to your own email account. It sends the msg as a text message again. Any idea how to work around this? It worked up until recently.
Tom says
Awesome!! Thanks!
Jeffrey Johnson says
Super helpful! Thank you!
Drew says
Worked for me. Thank you!
Joyce says
There is no Edit on my IPhone6, instead it says details which takes me to the person I send the text to. I want to send an already sent message to someone else. How can I do this?
Kathy says
Well, what’s written here used to work. Now, when you hold down the text and get it highlighted, there’s a bubble-menu of “copy / Speak / More…” and More only gets me Delete All in the upper left, or Cancel in the upper right. No arrow, no menu, no options. Between March and May, they changed it AGAIN. DARN!!!! Once again, cannot fwd text. Aaarrgghh
Lena says
Thank you so much for the useful tips on forwarding messages. No one I asked seemed to know how to do this.
Janet vickery says
ThankyouI followed yr tip on re sending text’s messages,most helpful