Send Text to Email: The Complete Guide to Forwarding SMS Messages
Forward SMS to email automatically using apps like AutoForward Text—backup texts, make them searchable & access messages anywhere securely.
Text messages remain one of the most reliable ways we communicate—whether it’s banking alerts, OTPs, delivery updates, or personal conversations. But texts are stuck on your phone, which makes them easy to lose and hard to organize.
That’s why many people are searching for ways to send text to email. Forwarding SMS messages to your email inbox not only backs them up but also makes them searchable, easier to manage, and accessible anywhere.
There are several methods to do this: manually forwarding messages, using a carrier service (if available), or installing a third-party app, which automatically sends your SMS to your email without the hassle.
In this guide, we’ll break down all your options, their pros and cons, and why an SMS forwarding app is usually the smarter choice.
1. What Does “Send Text to Email” Mean?
At its core, sending text to email simply means redirecting your incoming SMS messages to your email account.
Instead of just sitting on your phone, your messages get duplicated in your inbox. From there, you can read, organize, or even reply (depending on the setup).
Common use cases include:
Business owners who want client communications saved and searchable.
Frequent travelers who don’t want to miss texts while roaming overseas.
Parents monitoring their kids’ phone usage.
Individuals who want to back up OTPs, bank alerts, and important notifications.
2. How to Manually Send Texts to Email
The simplest way is also the most tedious—manually forwarding messages.
On iPhone:
Open the Messages app.
Tap and hold the message you want to forward.
Select More.
Tap the forward arrow and type in your email address.
Hit send.
On Android:
Open the Messages app.
Tap and hold the text message.
Tap Forward from the menu.
Enter your email address.
Send.
Limitations:
Works only one message at a time.
Easy to forget.
Not practical for ongoing use.
This method is fine for occasional one-off texts, but if you need something consistent, you’ll want an automated option.
3. Using Carrier Services
Some carriers offer an SMS-to-email forwarding service, but it’s not universal.
How it usually works:
Contact your carrier to ask if they provide SMS-to-email.
They may have a special activation code you dial or a form in your online account.
Messages then automatically get redirected to your email.
Example: On some European networks, you can dial a code like *146*EmailAddress# to activate SMS-to-email forwarding.
Drawbacks:
Limited availability (many carriers don’t support it).
Restricted to certain regions.
Hard to customize (usually forwards all SMS, no filters).
If your carrier doesn’t provide this, you’re back to square one. That’s where apps come in.
4. The Better Option: Using an SMS Forwarding App
For most people, a third-party app is the easiest and most reliable way to send text to email.
Setup is simple:
Download an app like Auto Forward Text (available for Android and iPhone).
Grant permissions to read and forward SMS.
Add your email address in the settings.
Turn on auto-forwarding.
From that point forward, every SMS that hits your phone is instantly sent to your email.
Unlike carrier solutions, apps like AutoForward Text let you:
Choose which messages to forward (filters, rules, keywords).
Forward not just SMS but also call logs and app notifications.
Forward to multiple emails or even custom API endpoints.
Control everything from a simple web dashboard.
This means you don’t just get a copy of your SMS—you get full control over how and where they’re sent.
5. How to Send Text to Email on iPhone
Apple doesn’t offer direct SMS-to-email, but you have a few options:
Manual Forwarding (as described earlier)
Fine for one-time messages, but not sustainable.
iMessage Syncing (limited)
Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
Select the Apple device you want messages sent to.
Enter the 6-digit code shown.
This works well for forwarding to a Mac or iPad, but doesn’t help if you want messages in your Gmail or Outlook inbox.
The Smarter Way: AutoForward Text for iPhone
Install the app.
Connect your email account.
Choose forwarding rules.
Let it run in the background.
Now all your texts land in your inbox automatically—no more copy-pasting.
6. How to Send Text to Email on Android
On Android, there’s no built-in SMS-to-email function. But you can:
Manual Forwarding
Forward texts individually (again, slow and clunky).
Third-Party Apps
Download AutoForward Text for Android from their official website.
Give SMS permissions.
Enter your email.
Flip the auto-forwarding switch.
You can also set filters like:
Forward only OTPs.
Forward messages from specific contacts.
Forward everything, but exclude spam or marketing.
This flexibility is why apps dominate when it comes to SMS forwarding.
7. Benefits of Sending Texts to Email
Why should you bother with SMS-to-email at all? Here are the biggest advantages:
Centralized communication – Keep SMS, work emails, and notifications all in one place.
Searchable archives – No more scrolling through endless message threads. Just use your email search.
Cloud backup – Even if you lose or reset your phone, your texts are safe.
Remote access – Read messages anywhere, even from a laptop overseas.
Business automation – Forward texts to a team inbox or CRM system.
For parents or business owners, this is a no-brainer.
8. Security Considerations
Of course, sending texts to email comes with risks:
Sensitive data exposure: OTPs and bank codes may end up stored in your inbox.
Hacked email accounts: If someone breaks into your Gmail, they’ll see all your SMS too.
Untrusted apps: Some shady forwarding apps can steal your data.
How to protect yourself:
Always use a reputable app like AutoForward Text.
Enable 2FA on your email account.
Review your forwarding settings regularly.
Don’t forward confidential data unless necessary.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I send SMS directly to Gmail? Yes. With apps like AutoForward Text, you can configure SMS to go straight to Gmail (or any email provider).
Q2: Does this work internationally? Yes. Email forwarding works wherever you have internet access.
Q3: Is this free? Manual forwarding is free. Apps like AutoForward Text have a subscription but add automation, filters, and reliability.
Q4: Do I need Wi-Fi? Your phone needs either Wi-Fi or mobile data to send texts to email via an app.
Q5: Can I forward texts from multiple phones to the same email? Yes—AutoForward Text lets you link multiple devices to one inbox.
Conclusion
Sending text messages to your email is one of the smartest ways to stay organized and ensure you never miss an important SMS. While manual forwarding is fine for one or two texts, it quickly becomes frustrating when you need to do it regularly. Carrier services can sometimes provide SMS-to-email support, but they’re inconsistent, hard to configure, and not always available in every region. That leaves apps as the most reliable and flexible solution.
With AutoForward Text, you can forward your SMS messages directly to your email automatically without lifting a finger. The app lets you create rules and filters so you control exactly which messages get sent, and it doesn’t stop at SMS — it can also handle call logs and notifications. All of this is managed from a simple dashboard, making it a powerful but user-friendly tool for both iPhone and Android users.
If you’re tired of copying and pasting texts or worrying about missing important messages when you’re offline or traveling, AutoForward Text makes the whole process effortless. By moving your SMS into your email, you gain accessibility, searchability, and peace of mind. Try it today and experience just how seamless text-to-email forwarding can be.
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