If you searched “how to receive text messages from another phone number,” you’re probably trying to solve something practical.
Maybe you have a work number you don’t want to carry on a second phone. Maybe you’re switching devices and don’t want to miss verification texts. Or maybe you have an older number tied to important accounts and you’re trying to keep access while you transition.
Here’s the key: this topic sounds simple, but it can mean a few different things. Once you pick the right scenario, the solution becomes much easier.
Most people mean one of these:
You want to receive texts for the same phone number on more than one device.
Example: your main number should ring and text on your phone and your smartwatch/tablet.
You want to receive texts sent to a second number you own.
Example: you have a work number, old number, or business number and want to see those texts on your main phone.
You want to receive texts without having the original phone nearby.
Example: you left your phone at home but still want your number’s texts on another device.
You’re trying to receive texts for a number you don’t own or manage.
If that’s the goal, pause. Receiving someone else’s messages without permission is unethical and may be illegal. The methods below are for numbers you own or manage with consent (like a work line or a family device under clear rules).
Now let’s walk through the most reliable methods.
If you want the most reliable setup, match the method to your real goal:
If your goal is to receive texts for the same number on multiple devices, your carrier is often the most reliable path because it’s built for that exact use case.
Examples (U.S. carriers, names vary):
These services are meant to let you use one mobile number across multiple compatible devices, depending on the plan and device type.
If you’re using a smartwatch or tablet from the same carrier ecosystem, this method is often the cleanest.
If you don’t actually need another phone number involved—and you just want your iPhone’s SMS to appear on other Apple devices—Apple’s Text Message Forwarding is usually the easiest option.
If you’re fully Apple-based, this is a great “no extra service” option.
Sometimes you don’t need to “share” a carrier number at all. You just need a number whose texts you can read from anywhere (phone, tablet, laptop).
A common example is a cloud inbox like Google Voice (availability varies by region):
If your main goal is “this second number should be accessible anywhere,” a cloud inbox can be a strong fit.
If you own the second number and want to receive its texts on your main phone, the most reliable solution is often the most direct one:
Put that number on your phone as a second line.
If your phone supports Dual SIM or eSIM, you may be able to:
If reliability matters most, this is often better than any forwarding workaround.
If you still have the original phone that receives texts, you can sometimes set up auto-forwarding from that device to another destination.
This can help if:
But it’s fragile because:
If you choose this method, keep expectations realistic and test it regularly.
If you’re doing this mainly for verification codes, here’s the honest truth: OTP and short-code messages can behave differently across methods.
Common issues:
If OTP reliability is your top priority, the most stable options are:
Sometimes. It usually requires a carrier multi-device feature or a supported ecosystem setup. In many cases, it’s easier to use a carrier service or move the number to dual SIM/eSIM.
Some forwarding setups exist, but many platforms don’t support forwarding inbound texts to a linked number anymore. It’s often more reliable to receive texts directly through carrier multi-device features, dual SIM/eSIM, or a cloud inbox.
Yes. Text Message Forwarding is designed for that. It’s a same-account setup rather than “forward to another phone number.”
If you no longer control the number or SIM, the safest path is account recovery: update your 2FA number, contact your carrier, and move critical accounts off the old number. Avoid trying to “receive texts” for a number you don’t control.
Sometimes parents search this topic because they’re trying to keep up with safety concerns and important messages on a child’s device.
If your goal is family safety, do it transparently, with clear consent and rules. A parental control solution like NexSpy can help parents build safer routines on a managed device, rather than relying on unreliable forwarding workarounds.
If you want the most reliable approach, match the method to your real goal:
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