WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and more to individuals or groups. While WhatsApp is incredibly useful for messaging other WhatsApp users, you may sometimes want to forward a WhatsApp message to someone who doesn’t use the app.
SMS (Short Message Service) is a standard protocol for sending text messages between mobile devices. So can you forward your WhatsApp messages as SMS texts to non-WhatsApp contacts? Here’s what you need to know.
Forwarding WhatsApp Messages to SMS
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not have a built-in feature to directly forward messages as SMS texts. This is because WhatsApp uses an internet data connection, while SMS relies on your cellular network. They work as separate messaging systems.
However, there are some workarounds that allow you to send your WhatsApp messages as SMS texts to non-WhatsApp users. Here are the main options:
Copy and Paste into SMS
The simplest method is to manually copy the WhatsApp message, open your phone’s SMS app, paste it into a new text message and send it. Here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp conversation with the message you want to forward.
- Long press on the message to select it.
- Tap Copy to copy the text.
- Open your phone’s Messages/SMS app and start a new message.
- Tap and hold in the text field, then select Paste to paste the WhatsApp message.
- Enter the contact’s phone number and tap Send.
This will send the copied WhatsApp text as a regular SMS message. While a bit time consuming, it’s simple and doesn’t require any extra apps.
Use a Forwarding App
There are various third-party apps available on the Play Store and App Store that can forward WhatsApp messages to SMS more conveniently. Some popular options include:
- SMS from WhatsApp – Android app that forwards messages in the background with one tap.
- WhatsApp to SMS – Android app with automatic forwarding options.
- WA2SMS – iOS app to forward WhatsApp messages to any number.
The main benefit of using a forwarding app is convenience – you can forward multiple WhatsApp messages to SMS at once with just a few taps. However, you need to download another app just for forwarding.
Use Google Voice
If you have a Google Voice number, you can use it to forward WhatsApp messages to SMS contacts. Here’s how:
- Make sure you’ve linked your WhatsApp account with your Google Voice number.
- Open the WhatsApp message you want to forward.
- Tap the Share icon (usually 3 dots or arrow).
- Choose Google Voice as the sharing option.
- Select your Google Voice number to send the message.
Google Voice will then forward the WhatsApp message as a text message to the number you entered. This takes a few extra steps but lets you forward without installing another app.
Other WhatsApp to SMS Options
Aside from the main methods above, there are a couple other potential workarounds for getting WhatsApp messages to SMS contacts:
Use Email-to-SMS
Some carriers allow sending SMS by emailing a special address. For example: [email protected]. Check with your carrier to see if they offer this. You may be able to set up an email forward rule from your linked WhatsApp email address to the SMS address.
Copy to Clipboard Manager
On Android, you can use an advanced clipboard manager like Clipper Sync to save your copied WhatsApp messages. You can then easily paste them into the SMS app later without re-copying.
Use a Web Service
There are some web services like Wasap that let you forward WhatsApp messages to SMS contacts by sharing the messages to the service. However, this requires uploading your messages to a third-party server.
Why WhatsApp Doesn’t Allow Direct SMS Forwarding
You may be wondering – if forwarding WhatsApp messages to SMS is useful, why doesn’t WhatsApp have a built-in feature to do this? There are a few technical and business reasons why direct forwarding isn’t supported:
- WhatsApp and SMS use different protocols and data networks, making integration complex.
- Forwarding could enable spam and abuse through SMS.
- WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption would be lost when sending to SMS.
- No revenue opportunity for WhatsApp, unlike with their WhatsApp Business API.
Essentially, the app focuses on fast encrypted messaging between WhatsApp users, not cross-communication with SMS. The company likely determined that native SMS forwarding would require significant development for minimal benefit to their core service.
Some users argue WhatsApp should integrate SMS forwarding to improve convenience and reach more contacts. However, the privacy and technical constraints make this unlikely in the near future.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp doesn’t have built-in SMS forwarding, there are several workarounds to achieve this if needed. The best options are using a dedicated forwarding app, Google Voice integration, or manually copying and pasting messages. With these solutions, you can get your WhatsApp messages to non-WhatsApp contacts via SMS.
Direct SMS forwarding may not be natively supported due to WhatsApp’s technical focus and encryption standards. But the available workarounds still let you bridge the gap between your WhatsApp contacts and recipients without the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I automatically forward WhatsApp messages to SMS?
No, WhatsApp does not have an automated method to forward messages to SMS. You need to manually copy each message and forward it using one of the workarounds.
Will my WhatsApp media forward to SMS?
No, only text can be forwarded to SMS. WhatsApp media such as photos, videos and documents cannot be forwarded directly. You would need to send them separately.
Can I forward SMS messages to WhatsApp?
No, SMS cannot be forwarded directly into WhatsApp. You would need to manually copy and paste the SMS text into WhatsApp as a new message.
Does WhatsApp Web let you forward to SMS?
No, WhatsApp Web does not have any SMS forwarding features or integration. It can only send messages to other WhatsApp users.
Can I forward WhatsApp messages to email?
Yes, WhatsApp allows forwarding messages to your linked email account in Settings. However, email cannot be used to forward to SMS.
The Benefits of WhatsApp Message Forwarding
While limited, being able to forward WhatsApp messages to SMS can be useful in certain situations. Here are some potential benefits:
- Reach contacts who don’t use WhatsApp.
- Send important information to people without smartphones.
- Forward messages without sharing your WhatsApp number.
- Integrate messaging platforms for convenience.
- Share critical alerts or notices more widely.
The most common reason people want WhatsApp to SMS forwarding is to communicate with contacts who aren’t on WhatsApp. By bridging the two messaging apps, you can ensure important messages reach all recipients.
Who Needs WhatsApp to SMS Forwarding?
Here are some examples of who may benefit from forwarding WhatsApp messages to SMS text:
- Friends and family who don’t use smart devices.
- Elderly people unfamiliar with apps like WhatsApp.
- Companies communicating to feature phone customers.
- Businesses promoting to consumers without smartphones.
- Organizations and clubs sending group notifications.
- Users temporarily without internet access.
It serves as a bridge between the modern WhatsApp ecosystem and the older SMS technology still used by portions of the population. Altogether, the ability to forward WhatsApp to SMS increases messaging flexibility.
Risks and Downsides of Forwarding WhatsApp to SMS
While WhatsApp to SMS forwarding has its benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
- Privacy loss – messages leave WhatsApp’s encrypted system.
- Potential for spreading misinformation via SMS.
- Increased SMS spam if abused.
- Tedious workflows required for forwarding.
- No forwarding of WhatsApp calls, photos, videos, etc.
- Commercial use requires WhatsApp Business API at a cost.
The lack of automation and loss of encryption when leaving WhatsApp are the main drawbacks. There are also risks of spam and fake news proliferation if forwarding is abused. While useful in certain situations, users should carefully evaluate whether forwarding WhatsApp messages to SMS makes sense for their needs.
Tips for Forwarding WhatsApp Messages to SMS
If you need to frequently forward WhatsApp messages to SMS, here are some tips to make the process smoother:
- Use a dedicated forwarding app for batch forwarding.
- Add important SMS contacts to WhatsApp as well if possible.
- Enable WhatsApp backup so messages aren’t lost.
- Double check SMS recipients to avoid mistakes.
- Consider using alternative services like WhatsApp Business API.
- For long messages, screenshot WhatsApp and send as a photo SMS.
Taking advantage of forwarding apps and carefully managing your contacts can help streamline the process. But the manual steps required mean you’ll want to limit forwarding to messages that truly warrant the additional effort.
WhatsApp Business API for SMS Forwarding
While not feasible for everyday users, WhatsApp does offer an official API integration for businesses that want to forward messages at scale. The WhatsApp Business API allows programmatically forwarding WhatsApp messages to SMS recipients.
With the Business API, companies can integrate WhatsApp with their CRM and support systems. By providing an API token, they can send automatic alerts, notices, OTP codes and other messages to customers over WhatsApp or SMS based on their preference.
However, using the WhatsApp Business API has a cost attached. It starts at $0.005 per message sent, with discounted tiers for larger volumes. The API is intended for medium and large businesses, not consumers.
WhatsApp Business API vs SMS Forwarding Apps
| WhatsApp Business API | SMS Forwarding Apps | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Starts at $0.005 per message sent | Free or small one-time fee (under $5) |
| Purpose | For companies to communicate at scale | Individual user forwarding |
| Convenience | Fully automated forwarding | Manual copy and paste |
| Spam Prevention | Registration and approvals required | No oversight or restrictions |
In summary, the WhatsApp Business API provides automated SMS integration with approval controls, while consumer SMS forwarding apps offer low-cost but manual workarounds for personal use.
The Future of WhatsApp Forwarding
There is ongoing demand for easier WhatsApp to SMS forwarding among regular users. However, WhatsApp has not indicated plans to add native forwarding features. The company is very cautious about expanding the app’s capabilities to new channels.
It’s unlikely we’ll see direct WhatsApp to SMS integration unless strong business value aligns with solving the technical challenges. Consumer forwarding may continue to rely on third-party apps and workarounds.
However, WhatsApp is expanding the Business API capabilities, as social messaging and customer engagement converge for brands. More affordable SMS integration and omnichannel messaging could emerge in time as business needs evolve.
Users interested in this functionality may want to look out for alternative cross-platform messaging apps that unify social messaging, SMS/RCS and email. Integration across all channels in a seamless interface offers the convenience that many desire from WhatsApp forwarding.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp has no built-in feature for forwarding messages to SMS.
- Workarounds include copy/paste, forwarding apps, Google Voice and email-to-SMS.
- Limitations prevent native support, but some solutions exist.
- Benefits include wider reach, but flaws include lack of encryption.
- WhatsApp Business API allows automating forwarding at scale.
- Demand continues for easier consumer WhatsApp to SMS messaging.
Conclusion
Forwarding WhatsApp messages to SMS is desired by many users but has limitations. While not natively supported, workarounds provide useful bridges between the messaging platforms. As mobile communication evolves, demand for integrated social, SMS and business messaging continues to grow.