Forwarding emails might seem like a small task, but on an iPhone, doing it the right way can save time, reduce mistakes, and keep your communication efficient. Whether you’re sending a single message to a colleague, sharing a thread with customer support, or passing along an attachment, knowing how to forward emails from your iPhone correctly is an important part of managing your inbox.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know; from how to forward different kinds of emails, to editing content, managing attachments, using third-party apps, and solving common errors. Written for users of all skill levels, these steps will help you forward emails easily without losing key information or formatting in the process.
Why Forwarding Emails on iPhone Is Useful
The ability to forward emails directly from your iPhone brings flexibility to your communication routine. It means you don’t need to wait until you’re at a computer to share important information. Whether you’re at work, traveling, or just relaxing at home, you can forward emails instantly with just a few taps.
Forwarding is especially helpful when you want to send someone information that was already shared with you. Instead of summarizing or copying and pasting content, you simply forward the original message. This preserves formatting, attached files, and the original sender’s details, making it clearer for the recipient.
You might forward an email to share meeting notes, receipts, airline confirmations, or even support tickets. In workplaces, forwarding allows quick handoffs or collaboration, especially when someone else needs to take over a conversation or see the background of an issue.
For personal use, forwarding is helpful for things like forwarding newsletters to friends, sharing family updates, or organizing travel plans. Since most people carry their phones everywhere, being able to forward quickly ensures you stay connected and responsive, no matter where you are.
How the iPhone Mail App Handles Forwarding
Apple’s Mail app is built to handle email forwarding intuitively. Unlike desktop applications where multiple buttons can confuse the process, iPhone Mail simplifies the experience. The forwarding feature is baked into the message view; once you’re reading an email, you can forward it directly without extra menus.
When you choose to forward a message, the Mail app creates a new draft with the original message copied below. This includes the message body, sender details, and formatting. You can then edit the draft, add a note, attach files, and send it to one or more recipients.
The forwarded email remains linked to the original in terms of content, but it becomes a new message in your Sent folder. The recipient sees it as coming from you, not from the original sender, which makes it clear that you’re passing along information.
Forwarding on iPhone also supports attachments and images, provided the original email includes them in standard formats. Embedded content is preserved, and you have the option to remove or change parts of the message before sending.
Apple’s Mail app is designed to keep the forwarding process quick and seamless. Most users can forward emails in under a minute with just a few taps; without compromising clarity or layout.
Setting Up Email Properly Before Forwarding
Before you can forward emails from your iPhone, your email account needs to be properly configured. If you haven’t already set up your email or if it was added incorrectly, the Mail app won’t be able to send messages; including forwards. That’s why the first step to smooth email forwarding is making sure your account setup is correct.
To do this, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts on your iPhone. Here, you should see a list of email accounts already added to your device. Tap any account to verify whether Mail is turned on. If it’s off, toggle it on to start syncing emails to your inbox.
If you don’t see your email listed, you’ll need to add it manually. This process involves entering your email address and password and selecting what data you want to sync. Most providers; including Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and iCloud; offer automatic configuration.
Once your account is active and syncing, the Mail app will show your inbox and folders. You’ll be able to read, reply to, and forward emails without needing any additional configuration. Ensuring proper setup from the start avoids errors and delays later.
Differences Between Forwarding and Replying
While forwarding and replying are both ways to respond to emails, they serve different purposes. Understanding this distinction helps you avoid sending the wrong message or including the wrong people in your conversation.
Replying is used when you want to respond directly to the person or group who sent the original email. When you hit “Reply” or “Reply All,” your message goes back to the original sender or all recipients, and the thread continues as a conversation. It keeps all participants in the loop and is used for follow-up discussions.
Forwarding, on the other hand, sends a copy of the message to someone who was not part of the original conversation. The person receiving the forwarded message sees the email content but not the ongoing conversation unless you include it. Forwarding is best when you want to bring someone else into the loop after the fact, or when sharing information without involving the original sender.
Another difference is that forwarded messages allow you to edit the content before sending. You can remove parts of the original email, highlight important points, or add commentary above the forwarded content. Replies, by contrast, are usually more structured and continue the tone or topic of the original email.
If you want to delegate a task, share a message without starting a new thread, or pass on information with context, forwarding is the right choice. If you need to continue a discussion with the original participants, stick with reply or reply all.
How to Forward a Single Email from the Mail App
Forwarding a single email using the built-in Mail app on your iPhone is a simple process. You can do it directly from the inbox or while reading the message itself. The key is knowing where the forward option is located and how to adjust the email before sending.
To begin, open the Mail app and locate the email you want to forward. Tap the message to open it. Once inside, look toward the bottom of the screen for a set of icons. These may include trash, reply, and flag options. Tap the arrow-shaped icon, which opens a menu of reply options.
From this menu, select Forward. A new message screen will open with the full content of the original email included below. At the top, you’ll see blank fields for the recipient’s email address, a subject line (which may include “Fwd:” by default), and the body of the message.
You can now enter the email address of the person you’re forwarding to. You can also add your own message above the original content if needed. This is a good place to include context, especially if the forwarded email is long or technical.
If the original email includes images or attachments, they will typically carry over. You can review the message to confirm everything looks correct before tapping Send in the top right corner.
This process works for all types of email accounts configured through the Mail app, including iCloud, Gmail, Outlook, and custom domains. It’s a reliable way to share information quickly without altering the original formatting.
How to Forward Email Threads or Conversations
Sometimes you’ll need to forward not just one email, but an entire conversation thread. This is especially useful when working on group projects, handling support cases, or transferring a conversation to someone new. The iPhone Mail app supports this, but the behavior depends on how the conversation is structured.
In iOS, emails that are part of the same conversation are grouped as a thread. When you open a message that’s part of a thread, you’ll see the entire exchange, often with subject lines repeated. Scroll through the thread to view all replies and the original message.
To forward the full thread, open the most recent message and tap the reply arrow at the bottom. Then select Forward. iOS will include the content of that message, and depending on your settings, it may also include previous replies.
If you want to be certain that the entire conversation is included, check the content in the message body. iOS typically nests previous replies beneath the most recent one, maintaining a running history. However, if any of the replies include trimmed content or quoted sections, you may want to manually copy and paste earlier messages to ensure everything is included.
Alternatively, if the conversation spans several distinct emails (not shown as a single thread), you’ll need to forward them one by one or use your computer for multi-select forwarding.
While forwarding threads is straightforward, always review the message before sending to confirm that personal comments or sensitive data from earlier replies aren’t included unintentionally.
Adding Content or Notes Before Forwarding
One of the benefits of forwarding is the ability to add your own comments before sending. This helps clarify why you’re forwarding the message, highlight important parts, or provide instructions to the recipient.
When you tap Forward, your iPhone automatically loads the message into a new email draft. At the top of the message body; above the original email; you’ll see a blank space where you can write your note. This space is your own message and appears separate from the forwarded content.
You might start with something like:
- “Here’s the update from the client.”
- “See the notes below; can you follow up?”
- “I’m forwarding this for your records.”
You can write as much or as little as you want. You also have access to text formatting (bold, italics, underline) by tapping the formatting (Aa) icon in the toolbar. This helps emphasize key points or cleanly separate your message from the forwarded one.
If needed, you can also edit the forwarded content. For instance, if the original email includes unnecessary headers, footers, or disclaimers, you can delete them before sending. Just tap and hold to select text and remove or replace it.
Remember that the recipient will see both your note and the original content, so be mindful of what you include and how you word it. This extra step personalizes your communication and avoids confusion.
Managing Attachments While Forwarding
Many users forward emails specifically because they contain attachments. These might be documents, PDFs, photos, or invoices that need to be reviewed or shared with others. Fortunately, the iPhone’s Mail app makes it easy to include attachments when forwarding.
When you forward an email with attachments, the Mail app usually includes them by default. You’ll see the files embedded within the message or listed as attachments at the bottom of the draft. Before you send, scroll through the message to confirm that all necessary files are present.
If an attachment is missing, or if you want to add more, you can do so directly from the forwarding screen. Tap the email body to bring up the formatting toolbar, then tap the arrow icon to reveal the Insert Attachment option. From there, you can select files from your iPhone, iCloud Drive, or another linked storage service.
Also, be aware that some file types or large attachments may be restricted by the recipient’s mail server. If your attachment exceeds a size limit, the Mail app may suggest sending it via Mail Drop or another cloud method. Review any warnings before sending.
Attachments are a critical part of many forwarded emails. Always double-check that the files you intend to send are attached and viewable to the recipient.
Using Third-Party Email Apps to Forward Emails
Although Apple’s Mail app handles forwarding well, many users rely on other email apps for additional features, speed, or better syncing with specific email services. Below are some of the top third-party email apps and how they manage forwarding:
- Gmail App
Tap the message, then tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Select Forward, enter the recipient’s address, add your note, and send. Gmail auto-includes attachments and formatting. - Outlook for iOS
Open the email, tap the Reply/Forward icon, and choose Forward. Outlook supports full conversation forwarding and lets you format messages or add files directly. - Spark
Tap the message, then tap the three-dot menu and choose Forward. Spark lets you edit the message before sending and gives you collaboration features if you’re part of a team. - Yahoo Mail App
Tap the open message, then tap the forward icon. Yahoo’s app allows easy forwarding but may compress image files or remove large attachments. - ProtonMail
As a privacy-focused app, ProtonMail forwards emails with encryption options. Tap the menu icon, choose Forward, and add your note. Some content may be stripped if not encrypted.
Each of these apps has its own style, but the forwarding function generally works the same; find the message, choose Forward, add your note, and send. Choose the one that matches your email provider and workflow.
Troubleshooting Forwarding Errors on iPhone
Occasionally, forwarding an email from your iPhone doesn’t go as expected. You might encounter issues like the “Message Failed to Send” alert, missing attachments, or emails stuck in the Outbox. Fortunately, most of these problems have quick fixes.
If you see a sending error, the first thing to check is your internet connection. Forwarding, like any outgoing email, requires a stable network. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data or toggle Airplane Mode on and off to reset your connection.
Next, check your email account’s configuration. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, select the affected email account, and confirm that Mail is enabled. If the account is out of sync or experiencing authentication errors, it may prevent outgoing messages; including forwards; from being sent.
Another common issue is attachments failing to forward. This might happen if the file type isn’t supported or exceeds your provider’s size limit. Review the attachment size and consider compressing the file or using Mail Drop for large documents.
If your email is stuck in the Outbox, open the Mail app and tap on the Outbox folder. Tap the email to edit and resend it. Sometimes re-entering the recipient’s email or tapping Send again will clear the issue.
For consistent issues, try restarting your iPhone. If problems continue, removing and re-adding the email account can help reset its sync and sending behavior.
If all else fails, Apple provides direct troubleshooting steps via Apple Support, Forward emails, which offers device-specific fixes.
What Happens to the Original Email When You Forward It
A common concern for new users is whether forwarding an email affects the original message. The short answer is no; the original email remains untouched in your inbox. Forwarding simply creates a copy of the message, which is sent to another recipient from your address.
The forwarded message includes the original sender’s name, date, and subject line, usually formatted below your custom message. This helps the new recipient understand the context of the forwarded content. However, your original copy remains safe and unaltered.
You can still reply, archive, delete, or move the original email after forwarding it. It doesn’t get marked as sent, and no notification is sent to the original sender that you forwarded their message (unless they’re copied manually).
Attachments are also copied when you forward. Editing or removing them in the forwarded message does not affect the original. This separation ensures that you have full control over what you send and how it appears; without worrying about losing important data.
Understanding this helps you forward with confidence, knowing that your inbox and message history will stay intact no matter how often you share content.
Customizing Forwarding Settings in Mail App
Although Apple’s Mail app doesn’t offer a dedicated “Forwarding” settings section, you can still fine-tune how your forwarded messages behave through general Mail settings and smart usage of templates and signatures.
Go to Settings > Mail, and scroll through the options that influence your forwarding experience. Under Compose, you’ll find settings like default account, signature, and swipe options. These can improve how your forwards look and function.
One useful tip is to create a professional email signature that appears on all messages, including forwarded ones. This helps recipients know who the message is coming from, even if they don’t recognize your email address.
If you forward emails often, consider setting a default “From” address (especially if you use multiple accounts). This prevents confusion about which address is used to send the forward.
You can also control whether quoted content appears when replying or forwarding. While not exposed in settings, Mail typically includes full message history, but if you want to trim it manually, simply delete unneeded lines before sending.
These subtle changes make forwarding feel more personal, readable, and consistent across different recipients.
Forwarding Emails with Drafts or Unsent Messages
Sometimes you start writing an email, save it as a draft, and later decide to forward that message instead. Or maybe you began replying to a message, saved it halfway, and now want to turn it into a forwarded email. In either case, you can forward drafts or unsent messages easily from your iPhone; once you know where to find them.
First, open the Mail app and go to the Mailboxes screen. Scroll to find the Drafts folder. This will list all saved but unsent emails for each account. Tap the draft you want to work with.
From here, you can either finish composing and send it, or convert it into a forward. To do that, select all text in the draft, copy it, and start a new message. Tap and hold in the message body and choose Paste. Then write your note and forward the content as needed.
Alternatively, if the draft was created from an incoming message you had intended to reply to, consider reopening the original message and using the Forward option instead.
Knowing how to manage drafts adds another layer of flexibility to your email habits. You can pause and pick up forwarding whenever it fits your schedule.
Privacy and Formatting Tips Before You Hit Send
When forwarding an email, it’s important to consider how the message will look to your recipient. Small details in formatting and privacy can make the difference between a clear message and a confusing one.
Start by reviewing the message. Remove any unnecessary content, such as long email signatures, reply chains, or personal notes not meant for the new recipient. If the message contains sensitive data, double-check that it’s appropriate to share.
Always clean up long threads when possible. You don’t need to send every response unless they’re essential to the context. Trimming the message makes it easier for the reader to follow.
If you’re forwarding a message that includes other people’s contact details, such as CC lines or internal discussions, consider removing or editing those lines. Not all content in a thread is meant to be shared widely.
Use the Formatting menu (Aa icon) to bold or italicize important points in your note above the forwarded content. This ensures your message is seen before the reader dives into the original email.
Last but not least, test the email by forwarding it to yourself first. This gives you a preview of how the recipient will see it, especially if you’re forwarding to someone using a different device or email platform.
Being thoughtful in how you format and forward emails shows professionalism and respect for your recipient’s time and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forwarding Emails
Can I forward multiple emails at once on iPhone?
Not directly. The iPhone Mail app doesn’t support selecting and forwarding multiple emails in a single step. You’ll need to forward them one by one or use a desktop email client for batch forwarding.
Do attachments always forward with the message?
Usually, yes. Most standard attachments like PDFs or images are included. Always check the email draft before sending to confirm that files were not stripped.
Will the original sender know I forwarded their email?
No. Forwarding does not notify the original sender unless you manually include them in the message.
Can I add multiple recipients to a forwarded email?
Yes. Just tap the To field and enter as many addresses as needed. You can also use CC and BCC to manage visibility.
What if my email is stuck while forwarding?
Check your internet connection, verify account settings, and visit the Outbox to resend the message. If issues persist, restarting the device or re-adding the account may help.
Final Thoughts on Forwarding Effectively from iPhone
Forwarding emails on your iPhone should feel easy and natural; and with the right steps, it is. Whether you’re sending a quick note, a long thread, or an attachment-heavy message, the Mail app gives you everything you need to do it smoothly. Add your own context, adjust formatting, manage attachments, and stay clear on privacy; all from your mobile device.
Use these tips as a daily reference and you’ll avoid common mistakes while maintaining control over your communication. As more of our work and personal communication shifts to mobile, knowing how to forward confidently from your iPhone is a small skill with big impact.
