To forward a text on Android, open the conversation in Google Messages, touch and hold the message, tap Forward, choose a recipient, and tap Send. If your app displays a toolbar instead, tap More > Forward after holding the message. You can also select several messages to forward together.
The controls depend on your messaging app, so follow the steps for the app you use. To send the content through email or another messenger, copy and paste the text or share a screenshot.
The short version
- One text: Hold the message in Google Messages, tap Forward, choose a recipient, and tap Send.
- Several texts: Hold a message, tap Select more, select the others, and use Forward.
- Another app: Use Copy and paste the text into the destination app.
- Automatic forwarding: Set up an SMS forwarding app to route new incoming SMS automatically.
| Method | Use it for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Google Messages contextual menu | Forward one message | Requires the contextual Forward option |
| Google Messages toolbar | Forward through More > Forward | Applies to the toolbar interface |
| Google Messages multiple selection | Forward several messages | Requires Select more |
| Samsung Messages | Forward within the Samsung app | Requires continued app support in your region |
| Xiaomi Messages | Forward or share a message | Applies to the described three-dot interface |
| Google Messages setup | Switch to a supported forwarding app | Changes your default SMS app |
| Copy and paste | Send text through another conversation or app | Sends copied content |
| Gboard clipboard | Paste a copied message or detected detail | Unpinned clipboard items expire |
| Textra copying | Resend all or part of a message | Textra does not support RCS |
| Screenshot sharing | Show the conversation as displayed | Sends an image |
| SMS Forwarder | Automatically route incoming SMS | Requires permissions and background operation |
| Google Voice email forwarding | Email incoming Voice texts automatically | Only covers texts sent to your Voice number |
Forward one message in Google Messages
Open Google Messages and select the conversation containing the text. Touch and hold the specific message you want to forward, then tap Forward. Choose the recipient or group, then tap Send.
If holding the message opens a toolbar, tap More > Forward. Choose the contact, then tap Send. Both menu layouts support forwarding, so use the route that matches your screen.
Forward several messages together
Open the conversation, touch and hold one message, and tap Select more. Select the additional messages you want to include, then tap Forward. Choose the recipient and tap Send.
This route applies to Google Messages installations with the contextual menu. If your interface lacks Select more, forward each message separately using the single-message steps. You can also share a screenshot when you want to show part of the conversation together.
Use Samsung or Xiaomi Messages
On a Galaxy device where Samsung Messages remains supported outside the United States, open the app and select the conversation. Touch and hold the message text, tap Forward, and select the contact or contacts. Tap Compose or Done if displayed, then tap Send.
Samsung's U.S. discontinuation of Samsung Messages covers Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer. If that applies to your phone, switch to Google Messages before forwarding. The discontinuation announcement is specific to the United States.
If your Xiaomi Messages app has the upper-right three-dot interface, open the conversation and touch and hold the message. Tap the three-dot icon, then choose Forward to send it to another contact. Choose Share instead to select an available sharing destination.
Fix forwarding by switching to Google Messages
If your current SMS app no longer supports forwarding, install Google Messages from Google Play and open it. Tap Set default SMS app, select Google Messages, and tap Set as default. Open the conversation, touch and hold the message, and use Forward or More > Forward before choosing the recipient and tapping Send.
You can also open Settings > Apps > Default apps > SMS app, then select Google Messages. Some phones label the default-app menu Choose default apps. Changing the default app selects where you handle SMS; it does not turn on automatic forwarding.
Copy a text into another app
To send a message through email or another messenger, open its conversation in Google Messages, touch and hold the message, and tap Copy. Open the destination app and its composition field, then paste the text. Choose the recipient and send it through that app.
If you use Gboard, open the recipient's composition field, tap Clipboard, and tap the saved item to insert it. You can also tap a detected number, address, or email address in the keyboard suggestions to paste just that detail. Send through the destination app when the text is ready.
Gboard clipboard items expire unless pinned, so paste the text while it is still available. Detection of details such as addresses, dates, and times varies by language and region.
In Textra, open the conversation, tap the message bubble, tap copy, and select the text you want. Paste that selection into another conversation or app and send it. Textra supports SMS and MMS, but does not support RCS.
Share a screenshot of the conversation
Display the message and press Power + Volume down together to take a screenshot on your phone. For a longer conversation on a compatible Android 12 or newer scrolling screen, tap Capture more and adjust the crop.
Open Photos, go to Collections > On this device > Screenshots, and select the image. Tap Share, then choose the destination app. This sends the captured conversation as an image, so use copy and paste if you need to send editable text.
Set up automatic SMS forwarding
To route new incoming SMS automatically, install SMS Forwarder by GawkAr and complete its initial permission setup. Add a filter, enter the destination in E-mail/phone number under New filter, and tap the checkmark to save. Keep the app permitted to run in the background so it can process incoming SMS.
Forwarding to a phone number sends SMS through the source phone. The app offers one simple filter without premium advanced settings. An SMS forwarding rule does not guarantee that every Google Messages RCS message will also be forwarded.
For texts sent to your Google Voice number, open Voice and go to Menu > Settings > Messages. Enable Forward messages to email. This automatically emails incoming Voice texts, but does not forward your Android phone's separate carrier-number inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward a text from my computer?
You can access Google Messages on a computer and manually resend the content through another conversation. On your phone, open Google Messages, tap the account menu, and select Device Pairing. On the computer, open Google Messages for web and sign in to the same Google Account, then select the matching emoji on your phone. Keep the phone online while using the computer.
How do I forward a spam text for reporting?
If you use T-Mobile, forward the original spam message unchanged to 7726 to report it free of charge. If Forward is unavailable, touch and hold the message, tap Copy, and paste it into a new text addressed to 7726 without adding commentary. Check your carrier's reporting procedure if you use a different carrier.
Can call forwarding redirect my text messages?
Call-forwarding codes do not forward SMS messages. To redirect texts, use your messaging app's forwarding action or set up a separate SMS forwarding app.
Can Gemini retrieve an old text and forward it?
Gemini cannot directly read saved conversation history through its Messages integration. In the Gemini mobile app on your Android phone or tablet, you can supply the content yourself by asking it to “Text [contact name] [message]”; add @Messages if it chooses another app. Connect Messages if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions. You need an active phone plan, the required Google app SMS permissions, and Save contact info from your signed-in devices turned on. This doesn't work in Gemini in Google Messages or the Gemini web app.
Can I still use Signal or Verizon Message+ to forward SMS?
You cannot use either as a current SMS forwarding service: Signal removed its Android SMS and MMS support, and Verizon Message+ was discontinued. Use your phone's supported SMS app instead. Verizon directs former Message+ users to Google Messages, where stored SMS and MMS remain accessible.