How the heck do I set up text message forwarding?

How the heck do I set up text message forwarding? (iOS & Android)

I just got a work phone and I’m tired of carrying two devices around like a 2005 drug dealer. Is there a way to forward my SMS/texts from my secondary phone to my main one?

I’ve looked through the settings but I’m seeing conflicting info online. Does it work for both iMessage and regular green-bubble texts? Also, if I reply from the main phone, does it show my work number?

Appreciate any help before I lose my mind.

For Android, there isn't a native "forwarding" toggle like Apple has because of carrier restrictions, but there are workarounds:

Google Messages: Use the "Device Pairing" feature. Open Messages on your main phone's web browser (or the app) and pair it with the work phone.

Third-party apps: Apps like Pulse SMS or Microsoft Phone Link are great for syncing messages across devices.

Google Voice: If you haven't committed to a number yet, porting your work number to Google Voice is the ultimate "pro move." It forwards everything via the app.

If you’re tired of the basic native features failing, you should look into professional-grade monitoring tools. Most people use them for parental control, but they are the most stable way to "mirror" a device.

Check out VigilKids. It’s way more robust than just basic SMS forwarding.

The setup is basically 3 steps:

Step 1: Create an account on the VigilKids website.

Step 2: Bind the target device (the one you want to "forward" from).

Step 3: Start checking the dashboard for secret conversations and texts.

The best part is it handles WhatsApp and other encrypted apps, which standard SMS forwarding won't touch.