How to Receive Texts From Another Phone Number: Forwarding Trick for Shared Access

Receiving texts from another phone number used to mean borrowing someone’s device—until I discovered carrier forwarding. ⚡ This trick lets you mirror texts from a secondary line to your main phone, perfect for shared family plans or business numbers.

My dad used it to manage our scrap-yard text alerts while keeping his personal number clean, and it took less than five minutes to set up.

The process varies by carrier but follows the same core steps: enable forwarding on the secondary line using a simple code (like *720# for AT&T), then confirm the forwarding number. Third-party apps like Google Voice handle this even easier—just link the secondary number during setup.

The catch? Some carriers block forwarding for prepaid lines, and VoIP services like WhatsApp require extra verification steps.

Once configured, every text lands on your main phone instantly, complete with the original sender info. No more juggling devices or missing important messages. The setup works on both Android and iOS, though iPhone users might hit Apple’s stricter SMS relay policies.

For extra security, always use a PIN when setting up forwarding codes—trust me, I learned that the hard way after a prank call.

If forwarding fails, email-to-SMS gateways (like yourcarrier@txt.att.com) are a solid backup. Just forward emails to that address, and they’ll convert to texts. The trade-off? No real-time delivery, but it’s better than nothing when carrier restrictions block forwarding.

Stick with me, and you’ll have this working in under 10 minutes—no tech degree required.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for setting up text forwarding between phones

Here's how to reliably receive messages from another number using simple forwarding.

Open the messaging app on the phone you want to forward from. Tap the three-dot menu (or gear icon) in the top-right corner and select "Settings." Look for "Text forwarding" or "Message forwarding" in the menu—this is where you'll configure the connection.

If you don't see the option, you may need to enable it first. Some carriers require you to visit their website or call support to activate forwarding. I always check my carrier's app first—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have forwarding settings buried in their account portals.

Enter the destination phone number (the number you want to receive texts on) when prompted. Save the settings. This step ensures messages will be sent to both phones simultaneously.

Send a test text from any number to the source phone. You should receive it on both phones within 10-30 seconds. If you don't see the forwarded message, check your spam folder or carrier settings—some networks delay forwarding for new accounts.

Here's the thing—some messaging apps (like iMessage) handle forwarding differently. If you're using an iPhone, you'll need to use the carrier's forwarding service instead of app-level forwarding. Android phones typically handle this natively through the Messages app.

If the test fails, restart both phones and try again. Sometimes the forwarding service needs a few minutes to sync properly after initial setup.

On the phone where you want to receive forwarded texts, open your default messaging app. Go to settings and look for "Text forwarding" or "Message relay." You may need to add the forwarded number as a trusted contact—this prevents the app from treating forwarded messages as spam.

For Google Messages on Android, tap the three dots > Settings > Advanced > Text forwarding. Here you can manage which numbers get forwarded and adjust delivery preferences. iOS users should use the carrier's app or enable "Send & Receive" for iMessage if forwarding other Apple devices.

Set the forwarding priority to "High" if available. This ensures forwarded messages appear at the top of your inbox rather than getting buried under new conversations.

Send another test message from a different number to the source phone. This time, verify it appears on your primary phone with the correct sender information. The message should show the original number (not your phone number) as the sender—this confirms the forwarding is working properly.

Pay attention to how the message appears: some carriers prepend "[Forwarded]" to the subject or include a timestamp. If you see your own number as the sender, the forwarding isn't configured correctly—you'll need to revisit Step 1.

Real talk: forwarded messages sometimes arrive out of order. If you're expecting an important text, check both phones until you confirm receipt. Most carriers include a forwarding status indicator in their SMS apps.

Tips & tricks for perfect text forwarding setup

Setting up text forwarding between phones can save you from missing important messages—but there are a few tricks to make it work smoothly every time.

Carrier-Specific Settings: Not all carriers handle forwarding the same way. Verizon users often need to enable forwarding through their My Verizon app, while AT&T customers might need to call *677 to activate it. T-Mobile usually has forwarding buried in their account settings under "Message Settings." Always check your carrier's official app first—it's the most reliable source for activation.

App-Level vs Carrier Forwarding: Here's what nobody tells you—iPhones require carrier-level forwarding because iMessage doesn't support app-based forwarding. Android users with Google Messages can use either method, but carrier forwarding is more reliable for consistent delivery. If you're using iOS, skip the app settings and focus on your carrier's forwarding service in Step 1.

Test Message Timing: The 10-30 second window mentioned in Step 2 is actually more like 5-15 seconds on most networks. If you're not seeing the forwarded message immediately, check if your spam filter is blocking it—some carriers mark forwarded messages as "promotions" by default. I've had to adjust spam settings in both the source and destination phones to get reliable delivery.

Priority Settings Matter: Setting forwarding priority to "High" in Step 3 makes a huge difference for busy inboxes. Without this, forwarded messages often get buried under new conversations. Pro tip: On Google Messages, you can also adjust delivery notifications to get a pop-up alert when forwarded texts arrive, which is especially helpful if you're expecting important messages.

Frequently asked questions

Wrapping up and next steps

Now that you’ve mastered the trick of receiving texts from another phone number, you’re just a few taps away from seamless shared access!

Whether you’re managing a family plan, helping a loved one, or coordinating with a team, this method keeps everyone connected without the hassle. Ready to put it to use? Try forwarding a test message today—you’ll be a pro in no time! 🚀

Still curious? Dive deeper into advanced forwarding settings or explore how to secure your shared texts next—your next step is just a click away!