Text Message Forwarding: Complete Guide for iPhone
Quick Answer: To forward text messages on iPhone, download the Forward SMS app, open the Shortcuts app, create a new automation with a "Message" trigger, and add the Forward SMS action. Setup takes about 5 minutes and works even when your phone is locked.
What is Text Message Forwarding?
Text message forwarding is the automatic routing of SMS messages from your iPhone to another destination such as email, Slack, Teams, Discord, or another phone. Unlike Apple's built-in iMessage forwarding (which only works with devices signed into the same Apple ID), Forward SMS works with any destination and doesn't require sharing your Apple account.
Your iPhone includes the 
Shortcuts app, which has a feature called Automations. This feature allows you to set up triggers to automate tasks, including on incoming messages.
By using it together with the Forward SMS app, you can automatically forward text messages to Email, Slack, Microsoft Teams or Discord. This guide will walk you through setting up the Shortcuts Automation to make that happen.
Download Forward SMS
First, head to the App Store and download the newest version of Forward SMS. We'll use this app to forward your message directly from your iPhone through Shortcut Automations.
Setting Up Shortcut Automation
Step 1: Launch the Shortcuts App and Open Automations
Begin by opening the Shortcuts app on your iPhone, then tap on the Automation tab at the bottom.
Step 2: Create a New Automation with a Message Trigger
Tap Create Personal Automation and select the Message trigger from the list of options.
Step 3: Customize the Message Trigger
You can customize what messages you want to forward to by setting up specific filters like Sender or Message Contains to either forward specific messages or all messages.
Forward Specific Messages
Use the Sender or Message Contains option with a keyword like "code" to forward a category of texts, like codes or notifications.
Forward All Messages
Set the Message Contains condition to a single space (tap the space bar once) to forward all text messages.
Step 4: Add a New Action to the Automation
Next, choose New Blank Automation and search for the "Forward SMS" action to add it to the automation.
Step 5: Configure the Forwarding Action
Select the Message field. Scroll to the right on the toolbar above the keyboard and set Message to Shortcut Input.
Conclusion
That’s it — your iPhone is now setup to forward your text messages!
Next you can configure where you want your messages to go to:
Or checkout our guide to configure Sender and Contact Forwarding.
Video Guide
FAQ
How do I enable text message forwarding on iPhone?
To enable text message forwarding on iPhone, you need to use the Shortcuts app with the Forward SMS app. Download Forward SMS from the App Store, then create a new automation in Shortcuts with a "Message" trigger. Add the Forward SMS action, and your messages will automatically forward to your chosen destination.
Can I forward all text messages automatically?
Yes, you can forward all text messages automatically. When setting up the Message trigger in Shortcuts, set the "Message Contains" condition to a single space. This will match every incoming message and forward it to your configured destination.
Can I forward only specific text messages?
Yes, you can filter which messages get forwarded. Use the "Sender" filter to forward messages from specific contacts or phone numbers, or use "Message Contains" with keywords like "code" or "OTP" to only forward messages containing those words.
Does text message forwarding work when my iPhone is locked?
Yes, the Shortcuts automation runs in the background even when your iPhone is locked. As long as your iPhone is powered on and has an internet connection, your messages will be forwarded automatically.
Can I forward messages to multiple destinations?
Yes, Forward SMS supports unlimited destinations. You can forward the same message to multiple email addresses, Slack channels, Teams chats, or Discord servers simultaneously.
Is text message forwarding secure?
Yes, Forward SMS is designed with privacy in mind. The app doesn't store your messages or require access to your full message history. Messages are forwarded directly from your device to your chosen destination, and most integrations don't pass through any external servers.
Will the sender know their message was forwarded?
No, the sender will not be notified when their message is forwarded. The forwarding happens silently on your device using the Shortcuts automation.
