Forward Text Messages to Another Phone or PC

This guide shows you how to automatically forward incoming text messages from your phone to another phone or to your PC. This is useful for keeping a record of messages, monitoring a secondary line, or receiving important alerts on your computer. You’ll need a smartphone (Android or iPhone), a computer, and a messaging app that supports forwardingâ€”most commonly, you’ll use a third-party app or built-in features like iMessage forwarding.

What You’ll Need

A smartphone with the text messages you want to forward (source phone).
A destination: either another phone number or a PC with internet access.
For PC forwarding: a messaging app installed on both your phone and PC (e.g., Google Messages for Web, iMessage on Mac, or a third-party app like MightyText or Pushbullet).
For forwarding to another phone: a forwarding app or a carrier service that supports conditional call forwarding (though SMS forwarding is typically app-based).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Forward to PC Using Google Messages (Android)

On your Android phone, open the Google Messages app.
Tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select “Device pairing”.
On your PC, open a web browser and go to messages.google.com/web.
On the website, you’ll see a QR code. On your phone, tap “QR code scanner” and scan the code on your PC screen.
Once paired, all incoming and outgoing messages will appear in the web interface in real time. This effectively forwards your texts to your PC.

Method 2: Forward to PC Using iMessage (iPhone)

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
You’ll see a list of devices (Macs, iPads) associated with your Apple ID. Toggle on the device you want to receive messages.
On your Mac, open the Messages app and make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID.
Incoming iMessages and SMS texts will now appear on your Mac as well.

Method 3: Forward to Another Phone Using a Third-Party App

Choose a forwarding app from your app store. Popular options include “SMS Forwarder” (Android) or “Auto Forward SMS” (Android). For iPhone, options are limited due to iOS restrictions; you may need to use a service like iMessage forwarding to a Mac and then use a script.
Install the app on your source phone.
Open the app and grant it permission to read and send SMS messages.
In the app’s settings, add a forwarding rule: specify the destination phone number (with country code) or an email address.
Choose whether to forward all messages or only those from specific contacts.
Enable the forwarding service. Some apps require you to set it as the default SMS app or keep it running in the background.

Method 4: Using IFTTT or Zapier (Advanced)

Create an account on IFTTT or Zapier.
Create a new applet/automation: trigger = “New SMS received” (via Android SMS service) or “New iMessage” (via iOS).
Action = “Send a message” to another phone (via services like Telegram, Slack, or email).
Connect your phone’s SMS account (for Android, you’ll need the IFTTT app with SMS permission).
Set up the action to send the message content to your chosen destination.

Common Mistakes

Not granting permissions: Forwarding apps need SMS read and send permissions. If you deny them, the app won’t work.
Using the wrong QR code: When pairing with Google Messages, ensure you scan the code on the web page, not a screenshot.
Forgetting to keep the app running: Some Android apps get killed by battery optimizers. You need to exclude them from battery optimization.
Assuming iMessage works with non-Apple devices: iMessage forwarding only works between Apple devices. For Android to PC, use Google Messages.
Setting the forwarding app as default SMS app: Some apps (like SMS Forwarder) require this, but it can break other messaging features if not done correctly.

Tips

Use a dedicated email address for forwarding to avoid cluttering your main inbox.
If you forward to a phone, make sure the destination number can receive SMS (not just MMS).
Test the forwarding with a single message before enabling it for all contacts.
For privacy, consider forwarding only from specific contacts (e.g., work numbers) rather than everyone.
When using Google Messages, keep the web page open in a pinned tab to receive real-time updates.
If you need to forward to multiple destinations, use an app that supports multiple rules.

Troubleshooting

Messages not appearing on PC: Ensure your phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network for initial pairing (Google Messages) or that both are signed into the same account. Refresh the web page.
Forwarding app not working: Check if the app is running in the background. Go to phone settings > Apps > [App] > Battery > set to “Unrestricted”. Also, re-grant permissions.
Messages arrive late: This is often due to background restrictions. Disable battery optimization for the app and ensure mobile data is available.
iMessage forwarding not showing devices: Make sure all devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have iMessage enabled. Restart the devices.
QR code not scanning: Clean your phone camera lens and ensure the QR code is fully visible on the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward text messages from my iPhone to an Android phone?

Not directly. iOS restricts SMS forwarding to Apple devices. You can use a third-party service like IFTTT to forward to an email, which you can then read on Android, but there’s no native way.

Is it possible to forward text messages to email?

Yes. Many forwarding apps allow you to set an email address as the destination. Alternatively, you can use IFTTT with an email action.

Will forwarding work if my phone is off?

No. The source phone must be on and connected to a network for the forwarding app to receive and relay the message. If the phone is off, messages will be stored by the carrier but not forwarded until the phone is back on.

Does forwarding work with MMS (picture messages)?

Most forwarding apps only forward SMS text content. MMS may not be forwarded or may be sent as a link. Check the app’s features before relying on it.

Can I forward messages from a specific contact only?

Yes, most forwarding apps allow you to create rules based on sender. You can specify a list of contacts or a keyword filter.

Is there a way to forward messages without installing an app?

On Android, you can use Google Messages for Web to view messages on a PC without an app, but that requires the phone to be connected. For true automatic forwarding, an app is needed.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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