Need to forward SMS from your iPhone to another app or device? There are several apps that claim to do this — but they differ significantly in how they work, what they support, and how they handle your private messages.
Here’s an honest comparison of the best options in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| App | Platforms | Privacy | Price | iOS Req |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fwrdly | 8+ (Email, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Teams, WhatsApp, SMS, Webhook) | On-device | Free / Pro | iOS 16+ |
| Forward SMS to Email | Email only | Cloud | Free / $2.99/mo | iOS 14+ |
| SMS Forwarder | SMS, Email | Cloud | $1.99/mo | iOS 15+ |
| IFTTT | Many (via applets) | Cloud | Free / $3.49/mo | iOS 14+ |
| Apple Text Forwarding | Apple devices only | On-device | Free (built-in) | Any iOS |
1. Fwrdly — Best Overall
Fwrdly is the most comprehensive SMS forwarding app for iPhone in 2026. It supports 8 destinations out of the box, processes everything on-device, and is the only app that supports Slack, Discord, and custom webhooks natively.
What Makes Fwrdly Stand Out
8 destinations in one app: Email, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Phone/SMS, and Webhook/API. No need for separate apps per destination.
On-device processing: Your messages never leave your iPhone through Fwrdly’s servers. The app forwards directly to each platform’s API.
Keyword and sender filtering: Forward only the messages you want — OTP codes, messages from specific contacts, or messages from unknown numbers.
Multiple destinations simultaneously: Send the same SMS to multiple platforms at once.
Custom webhooks: Connect to Zapier, Make, n8n, or any HTTP endpoint to build unlimited automations.
Pricing
- Free tier: Full access to core forwarding features
- Pro: Advanced filtering, multiple destinations per platform, higher limits
Best For
Power users, developers, businesses, and anyone who needs flexible, private SMS forwarding across multiple platforms.
2. Forward SMS to Email — Best for Email-Only
If you only need email forwarding and nothing else, this app is a simple, affordable option. It has a straightforward interface and reliable email delivery.
Pros
- Very easy to set up (under 2 minutes)
- Reliable email delivery with formatting options
Cons
- Email only — no Telegram, Slack, or other platforms
- Messages routed through the developer’s servers
- No filtering capabilities
Pricing
Free with ads, or $2.99/month for ad-free with extra features.
Best For
Users who only need email forwarding and don’t need the privacy or multi-destination features of Fwrdly.
3. SMS Forwarder — Best for Simple SMS-to-SMS
SMS Forwarder focuses on the simplest use case: forwarding texts from one phone number to another. No app accounts, no webhook setup — just enter a number and go.
Pros
- Extremely simple setup
- Supports forwarding to multiple numbers
Cons
- SMS and email only — no Slack, Telegram, Discord
- Cloud-based (messages pass through their servers)
- No keyword filtering
Pricing
$1.99/month.
Best For
Users who need to mirror texts to a second phone and don’t need advanced features.
4. IFTTT — Best for Automation Power Users
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a general automation platform, not specifically an SMS forwarding app. But with the right applets, it can forward iPhone SMS to hundreds of services.
Pros
- Connects to 700+ services
- Highly flexible — you can build custom workflows
- Good for connecting SMS to niche apps Fwrdly doesn’t support natively
Cons
- SMS triggering on iOS is unreliable — IFTTT can’t read SMS directly; it uses workarounds that often have delays of 5–15+ minutes
- Complex to set up for non-technical users
- Cloud-based (all messages go through IFTTT’s servers)
- Pro subscription required for multi-step applets ($3.49/month)
Pricing
Free (limited), Pro $3.49/month, Pro+ $12.49/month.
Best For
IFTTT power users who already use the platform and want to connect SMS to an app not in Fwrdly’s list.
5. Apple’s Built-In Text Message Forwarding — Best for Mac Users
Not an app, but worth mentioning: iOS has native forwarding built in for Apple ecosystem users.
How It Works
In Settings → Messages → Text Message Forwarding, toggle on any nearby Apple devices (Mac, iPad) signed into your Apple ID.
Pros
- Completely free, no third-party app needed
- Fully private and end-to-end encrypted
- Works with both SMS and iMessage
Cons
- Only forwards to your other Apple devices (same Apple ID)
- No email, Telegram, or cross-platform support
- Requires devices to be nearby and on the same network
Best For
iPhone users who just want texts mirrored on their Mac or iPad.
How to Choose
I want to forward SMS to Telegram, Slack, or Discord → Fwrdly
I only need email forwarding → Fwrdly (free tier) or Forward SMS to Email
I need texts on my Mac → Apple’s built-in forwarding
I want to connect SMS to a niche app → Fwrdly webhooks (connect to Zapier/Make, which supports 1,000+ apps) or IFTTT
I want texts mirrored to a second phone → Fwrdly or SMS Forwarder
I care about privacy → Fwrdly (on-device) or Apple’s built-in (no third-party involved)
Privacy Warning
Several SMS forwarding apps route your messages through their own servers for processing. If your SMS contain OTP codes, banking alerts, personal conversations, or confidential business information, this is a significant privacy and security risk.
Fwrdly and Apple’s built-in forwarding are the only options in this list that do not route your messages through third-party servers. For privacy-conscious users, these are the only safe choices.
Conclusion
For most users in 2026, Fwrdly is the best iPhone SMS forwarding app. It covers the most destinations, respects your privacy with on-device processing, and works reliably in the background. The free tier is sufficient for most use cases.
Download Fwrdly on the App Store and set up forwarding in under 5 minutes.
