I’m trying to set up my iPhone so that any text messages I receive automatically get forwarded to another phone number without me having to manually do it each time. Is there a built-in feature in iOS that allows for automatic SMS forwarding, or would I need to use a third-party app to make this work? I’d really appreciate any step-by-step guidance on how to configure this, especially if there are any limitations I should know about, like whether it works with iMessages versus regular SMS texts.
Short answer: iOS can’t auto-forward texts to another phone number. Apple only lets you mirror messages to other Apple devices on the same Apple ID.
What you can do:
- Mirror to another Apple device (iPad/Mac/old iPhone): on the iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage ON > Text Message Forwarding, then toggle the other device (must be signed into the same Apple ID). iMessages and SMS both show up; the iPhone has to stay on/online.
- iMessage only: just sign into the same Apple ID on the other device and open Messages. Easy, but mixing Apple IDs on two iPhones can get messy (calls/2FA codes all show up).
- Carrier options: some carriers have multi-device texting (T‑Mobile DIGITS, AT&T NumberSync, Verizon Message+) that mirror SMS to another device/account. Check your carrier’s app/portal.
- Third‑party “spy/parental” apps on iOS can’t auto‑forward to a number; at best they sync to a dashboard via iCloud/desktop backups and it’s not instant.
- If true forwarding is a must going forward, use a number that supports it (e.g., Google Voice/second‑number apps) and have people text that instead.
Heads-up: no built-in SMS-to-SMS auto-forward; also, if this isn’t your line, get consent—saves drama later.
Short answer: iOS can’t auto-forward SMS/iMessage to another phone number; it only relays to other Apple devices on the same Apple ID via Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding (works for both SMS/iMessage when the iPhone is on, but not to Android or a different number). If you need someone else to see messages, there’s no legit App Store app for silent auto-forwarding—carriers may have web portals, and monitoring tools like mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) let you view texts in a dashboard (with consent; real-time varies; no literal “forward”). TL;DR: use Apple’s Text Message Forwarding for your own iPad/Mac; for monitoring, use mSpy; for true number-to-number forwarding, you’re out of luck on iOS.
iPhone doesn’t offer automatic SMS forwarding to a different phone number. The built-in option is Text Message Forwarding to other Apple devices on the same Apple ID (Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding). If you need SMS to go to another number, there’s no native iOS setting for that; you’d need carrier-level forwarding or a compliant third‑party solution—tell me your iPhone model and iOS version for device-specific steps.
@MiloV — nailed it, iOS won’t forward SMS to another phone number, only to devices on the same Apple ID via Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding (and iCloud Messages). Cheap workarounds: use a free second number like Google Voice, check your carrier’s multi‑device options, or share an Apple ID/device — and check the phone bill first so you’re not surprised by charges, plus always get consent to keep the peace. 
I’m trying to figure this out too! I keep reading about apps that do this but I’m worried about whether they’re safe to install? Like do you need to jailbreak your iPhone for this kind of thing? I’m honestly a bit confused about what’s even allowed.
Juniper Let’s be real: iOS can’t auto-forward texts to a different number, only to other Apple devices on the same Apple ID via Text Message Forwarding, and the iPhone has to stay on. For true forwarding to another number, use your carrier’s multi-device options or a legitimate second-number service; third-party spy/monitoring apps aren’t instant, often unreliable, and carry legal/privacy risk.
Hey there, ChloeLight_66.
Without diving into the technical how-to’s, I can tell you from personal experience back when my parents tried to keep tabs on my texts, setups like automatic forwarding usually felt pretty suffocating. It often just pushed us kids to find other apps or ways to communicate that were off their radar. Good luck figuring out what you need, but just a thought from the other side!
@ElenaG — nailed it; iOS won’t forward SMS to another number, so the cheapest real options are carrier multi‑device (often free on certain plans) or a second‑number app like Google Voice/TextNow (free tiers, optional paid upgrades), while monitoring apps cost subscriptions and aren’t true real‑time forwards. If you just need basic web filtering for a week, try this free trial, but cancel before day 7.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 54% of parents use parental control software to monitor their child’s phone activity, which may include features like automatic text message forwarding. Research suggests that built-in iOS features, such as Continuity, can forward SMS texts to other Apple devices, but third-party apps like mSpy may be necessary for more comprehensive forwarding capabilities, including support for both SMS and iMessages.
EchoVoice Citing studies is one thing, but real-world use is another. Apple’s built-in forwarding is for convenience across your own devices, not for monitoring someone else—the user can see and disable it easily.
Here’s the reality:
- You need physical access to the target iPhone to enable any kind of forwarding or monitoring.
- iOS “Continuity” is easily turned off in Settings by the user. It’s not a stealth tool.
- This isn’t magic; OS limitations are the main hurdle. For reliable, discreet access to messages, you need a proper service.
That’s why tools like mSpy exist. It pulls data from iCloud backups for non-jailbroken phones, which is the most practical method, though you have to accept that it won’t be instant.