Can you forward WhatsApp messages to another number?

Quick Answer

Yes, it is possible to forward WhatsApp messages to another number. There are a few different ways to do this:

Forward individual messages – Open the WhatsApp chat, tap and hold on the message you want to forward, then tap the forward arrow. You can then select the contact or group you want to forward the message to.
Forward multiple messages – Open the WhatsApp chat, tap and hold on the first message you want to forward, tap on additional messages to select them, then tap the forward arrow. You can then select the contact or group you want to forward the messages to.

Export chat – Open the WhatsApp chat, tap More options > Export chat. This will export the entire chat history as a .txt file which you can then email or transfer to another device.
Send chat via email – Open the WhatsApp chat, tap More options > Email chat. This will email the entire chat history to an email address of your choice.

So in summary, yes you can forward individual or multiple WhatsApp messages, export an entire chat, or email a chat to another phone number. The steps are easy and just require selecting the messages or chat and choosing the forward or export option.

Forwarding a Single WhatsApp Message

Forwarding a single WhatsApp message to another number is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps:

Open the WhatsApp chat containing the message you want to forward.
Tap and hold on the specific message to forward.

This will select the message and open the message options.
Tap the forward arrow icon in the top right.
WhatsApp will open your contacts list. Search for or scroll to the contact you want to forward the message to.

Tap on the contact’s name to select them.
A new message will open with the forwarded message automatically included.
Tap send to forward the message.

That’s all there is to it! The selected message will be forwarded as a new message to the contact you choose. This works for forwarding text, images, videos, documents, and any other media supported by WhatsApp.

Tips for Forwarding Single Messages

Here are some tips when forwarding individual WhatsApp messages:

You can select multiple messages to forward by long pressing on each one before tapping the forward arrow.

If you accidentally tap send before selecting a contact, you can still choose a contact on the following screen.
fwd: will be automatically added to the beginning of any forwarded messages.
Forwarded messages will include the name of the original sender, even if not a contact.

You can forward messages to groups and broadcast lists in addition to individual contacts.

So if you just need to quickly pass along a specific message, forwarding individual WhatsApp messages is fast and easy.

Forwarding Multiple WhatsApp Messages

If you need to forward multiple WhatsApp messages to another number, such as a whole conversation thread, you can do that too:

Open the WhatsApp chat with the messages you want to forward.
Tap and hold on the first message you want to forward to select it.
Without lifting your finger, scroll up or down to highlight additional messages.

Lift your finger once you have selected all desired messages.
Tap the forward arrow icon in the top right.
WhatsApp will open your contacts list. Choose the contact to forward the messages to.

Tap send once the contact is selected.

The chosen messages will be forwarded in chronological order to the recipient. This lets you quickly forward a whole section of a conversation to someone else.

Tips for Forwarding Multiple Messages

When forwarding multiple WhatsApp messages, keep these tips in mind:

You can select up to 100 messages to forward at one time.
Grouped media like photos will be forwarded as one message.
Messages display the original sender’s name, even if not a contact.

Very old messages may not forward if no longer available on your device.
Forwarded messages use your data allowance, not the original sender’s.
Forwarded messages may be lower quality if the original files were deleted.

Forwarding longer conversations does take a few more taps, but is easy once you get the hang of message selection.

Exporting a WhatsApp Chat

If you need to export an entire WhatsApp conversation to send to someone else, you can export the chat:

Open the WhatsApp chat you want to export.

Tap More options > Export chat.
This will export the chat as a .txt file and allow you to share it.
Choose the app to share the exported file with (email, cloud storage, etc).

The file can then be sent or transferred to another device.

Exporting a chat exports the entire conversation history including text, images, videos, and files. But there are some things to keep in mind:

Media files will have generic filenames like “WhatsApp Image.jpg”.

The exported file is a basic .txt file with minimal formatting.
If the chat history is very long, the file can be large.
Encryption is removed when exporting a chat.

The file contains date stamps but not exact timestamps.

While exporting has some limitations, it’s the easiest way to forward an entire chat history to another user.

Other WhatsApp Export Options

In addition to exporting an individual chat, WhatsApp also provides these other export options:

Email Chat – Emails chat history to an email address.
Export Media – Exports only media files from a chat.
Export Transferred Files – Exports files transferred in a chat.

Export Database – Exports entire WhatsApp data and settings.

So if you only need media files or transferred files from a chat, you have options beyond exporting the entire text history.

Sending a WhatsApp Chat via Email

Another way to forward an entire WhatsApp conversation to someone else is to email the chat:

Open the WhatsApp chat you want to send.
Tap More options > Email chat.
Select the email address to send the chat to.

The chat will be formatted and emailed as an HTML file.

Emailing a chat has some advantages over exporting:

Keeps media formatted and embedded.

Uses original filenames for media.
Includes exact timestamps on each message.
Shows emoji and formatting.

Easy to view and scroll through chat history.

However, there are also some downsides to emailing chats:

Requires uploading and emailing entire chat history.

Not encrypted like WhatsApp, email may be insecure.
Large chats may exceed email size limits.
Requires recipient to have email access.

Overall, emailing is a good option if you want to send an easily readable chat with full formatting and media to someone with an email address.

Troubleshooting Emailed Chats

If you have issues emailing a WhatsApp chat, check these troubleshooting tips:

Use a stable internet connection, emailing can timeout.

Connect charging cable to ensure device doesn’t lock.
For long chats, export instead of emailing to avoid timeouts.
Check spam folder if email doesn’t arrive immediately.

If email bounces or fails, try a smaller date range.

With large chats, exporting then sharing is often more reliable than emailing directly from WhatsApp.

Using Third-Party Apps to Forward Chats

In addition to the built-in WhatsApp tools for forwarding messages, there are also third-party apps that can help:

Backup Apps – Back up chats to cloud storage or your device storage.
Chat Exporters – Export chats outside of WhatsApp’s limitations.
Transfer Apps – Transfer chats directly to a new device.

Email Apps – Alternative to WhatsApp’s Email Chat feature.

Here are some top-rated apps in each category:

Category	Top Apps
Backup	Google Drive, iCloud, SMS Backup & Restore
Export	WhatsApp Chat Export, BackupTrans, CopyTrans Contacts
Transfer	ShareIt, Xender, Send Anywhere
Email	Send Chat, Export Chat, Mail Chat

These third-party tools provide alternative options with different features compared to the official WhatsApp tools. However, using third-party apps for WhatsApp often violates their terms of service.

Risks of Third-Party Chat Forwarding Apps

While third-party apps provide useful utilities, there are some risks to be aware of:

Apps may export/transfer unencrypted chat data.
Backups may not be protected or encrypted.

Apps can violate WhatsApp terms, risking account ban.
Malicious apps may steal WhatsApp data or spread malware.
Apps have third-party terms you must accept.

It’s recommended to use reputable apps and read all terms and conditions carefully. Officially backing up chats or transferring your account to a new device is generally much safer.

Forwarding Limits and Restrictions

WhatsApp does limit how many times the same message can be forwarded. This is to reduce the spread of misinformation. The forwarding limits are:

Messages can be forwarded to only 1 group chats at a time.

Highly forwarded messages can only be forwarded to 1 chat.
Messages can be forwarded to up to 5 individual chats at once.

In addition, WhatsApp has restrictions on forwarding:

Forwarded media may be lower quality due to compression.
Very old messages may not be available to forward.
Deleted messages can’t be forwarded.

Some messages disappear after 24 hours and can’t be forwarded later.

WhatsApp may block forwarding entirely for certain frequently forwarded messages. This is to control virality and misinformation.

Why WhatsApp Limits Forwarding

WhatsApp implemented forwarding limits to:

Reduce spread of fake news and misinformation.
Decrease spam from forwarded messages.
Limit strain on their systems from virality.

Promote more private 1-to-1 messaging.

While inconvenient at times, forwarding limits help keep WhatsApp messaging meaningful and reduce unwanted spam.

Troubleshooting Forwarding Issues

If you are having trouble forwarding WhatsApp messages, try these troubleshooting tips:

Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
Restart your phone and check your internet connection.
Open WhatsApp Settings > Data Usage and check for restrictions.

Make sure the message isn’t too old to be forwarded.
Check if the recipient’s number is still on WhatsApp.
Try exporting chat instead of forwarding if issues persist.

Common forwarding issues include outdated apps, poor connections, expired messages, unavailable recipients and data restrictions. Following troubleshooting steps or contacting WhatsApp support can usually resolve them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about forwarding WhatsApp messages:

Can I forward messages from iPhone to Android?

Yes, you can forward WhatsApp messages from an iPhone to an Android device and vice versa. The forwarding process is the same regardless of operating system.

Do forwarded messages count against my data?

Forwarded WhatsApp messages will use your cellular data allowance or WiFi data, not the original sender’s. So keep this in mind especially with media messages.

Is forwarding messages safe and private?

Generally yes, as long as you trust the recipient. However messages do include the original sender’s name even if not a contact. End-to-end encryption is maintained during forwarding.

Can I get banned for forwarding too much?

WhatsApp limits on forwarding are to reduce strain on their systems, so you likely won’t get banned. However, they can ban accounts sending spam messages or suspected misuse.

How do I turn off message forwarding?

There is no setting to completely disable message forwarding. But under WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy you can control who can see your forwards and status updates.

Conclusion

In summary, forwarding WhatsApp messages to other numbers is easy to do in a few taps. You can forward individual or multiple messages, export entire chats, email chats, and use third-party apps. While helpful, excessive forwarding is limited to reduce spam and misinformation. Following WhatsApp’s built-in forwarding tools is the safest option. With a few simple steps, you can selectively forward messages and conversations as needed to other contacts or groups while maintaining security.