How to Forward a LinkedIn Message

Need to share a LinkedIn message with a colleague or mentor? If you've been searching for a forward button in your LinkedIn inbox, you’ve probably noticed it simply doesn't exist. This article will show you exactly how to forward a LinkedIn message using a few simple workarounds and, more importantly, how to do it professionally and with the right etiquette. We’ll cover the best methods, from a simple copy-paste to when it's better to make a direct introduction instead.

Why Can't You Forward a Message on LinkedIn?

Unlike your email inbox, LinkedIn’s messaging platform is designed to be a closed communication system that prioritizes user privacy. The absence of a "forward" button is an intentional design choice. LinkedIn treats your messages as private conversations between the participants involved. Adding a one-click forward button could lead to sensitive information, job offers, or personal notes being shared widely without the original sender's consent, potentially damaging professional relationships and trust.

By making you manually share the information, LinkedIn encourages a moment of reflection: Should you be sharing this conversation? It’s a subtle but effective way to promote better professional judgment. While you can't click a simple button, there are still straightforward ways to get the message where it needs to go.

Method 1: The 'Copy and Paste' Technique

The most direct way to forward a message is by copying the text and pasting it into a new message. This method is fast, simple, and works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile. However, success is in the details - how you present the forwarded text is what separates clean communication from a confusing mess.

On a Desktop (Mac or PC)

Here’s the step-by-step process for copying a message on your computer:

• Step 1: Open Your LinkedIn Messages. Navigate to your LinkedIn inbox and open the conversation containing the message you want to forward.
• Step 2: Highlight the Text. Click and drag your mouse to highlight the specific message or series of messages you need to share. Be precise and only select the relevant parts of the conversation.
• Step 3: Copy the Text. Right-click on the highlighted text and select "Copy," or use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+C (for Windows) or Cmd+C (for Mac).
• Step 4: Start a New Message. Compose a new message to the person you want to forward the information to.
• Step 5: Paste and Add Context. In the new message window, paste the text using the right-click menu or the shortcut: Ctrl+V (for Windows) or Cmd+V (for Mac).

Pro Tip: Provide Very Clear Context

Never just paste the text and hit send. This can be confusing and look unprofessional. Instead, give the recipient some context before the pasted message. For example:

“Hi Jane,

Wanted to share this update from Michael regarding the Q4 event schedule. See his message below.”

Then, it’s often helpful to frame the copied text to make it obvious who said what. You can use italics or quotes:

> From Michael Johnson: "Absolutely, our team is set for 3pm EST. Can you confirm if the design mockups will be complete by then?”

This simple formatting makes the message easy to understand at a glance.

On a Mobile Device (iOS or Android)

The process is similar on the LinkedIn mobile app:

• Step 1: Open the LinkedIn App. Tap the messaging icon to open your inbox and find the desired conversation.
• Step 2: Tap and Hold. Tap and hold your finger on the specific message bubble you wish to copy. A menu of options will appear.
• Step 3: Select "Copy." From the pop-up menu, tap on the "Copy" option. The text is now saved to your device’s clipboard. Note, this only copies one message bubble at a time. If you need to share a longer conversation, you might need to copy several messages individually or opt for the screenshot method instead.
• Step 4: Compose a New Message. Go back to your inbox, start a new conversation, and select the recipient.
• Step 5: Paste with Context. Tap once in the message field, and then tap "Paste" when the option appears. Just like on desktop, add a sentence or two explaining why you're sharing the message.

Method 2: The Screenshot Solution

Sometimes, copying and pasting won't cut it. A screenshot can be more effective than a block of text, especially when you need to preserve the exact formatting, timestamps, or full context of a back-and-forth exchange. It’s also often faster for sharing longer discussions.

On a Desktop (Mac or PC)

• Windows: Use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch (press Windows Key + Shift + S). This allows you to select just the portion of the screen you need.
• Mac: Use the shortcut Cmd + Shift + 4. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair, letting you click and drag to capture the relevant message section.

Once you have the image saved, start a new LinkedIn message, click the paperclip or image icon, and attach the screenshot.

On a Mobile Device (iOS or Android)

• iOS (iPhone): Typically, you'll press the Side button and the Volume Up button at the same time. You can then tap the preview of the screenshot in the corner to crop it immediately, removing any unnecessary parts of your screen.
• Android: This usually involves pressing the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. Like on iPhone, you can immediately edit and crop the screenshot from your notification bar.

After taking and cropping the screenshot, open your LinkedIn message, tap the image icon, and select the screenshot from your photo library to send it.

A Note on Privacy

When using screenshots, be considerate. Crop or use a markup tool to blur out any sensitive personal information, profile pictures, or parts of the conversation that aren't relevant to the new recipient. Respecting the privacy of everyone involved is essential.

Professional Forwarding Etiquette: Before You Share

Just because you can forward a message doesn't always mean you should. Misusing this ability can fracture trust with your network. Before you copy that text or snap that screenshot, run through this quick checklist:

• What was the sender's expectation? Did the person sending you the message believe it was a private one-on-one conversation? If so, think twice before sharing it. It's often best to ask for permission. A simple, "Great idea! Do you mind if I share this with my colleague Jennifer? I think she'd have some great input," shows respect.
• What is your purpose? Are you forwarding the message to be helpful, provide necessary context, or loop someone into a project? Or are you sharing to gossip or complain? Your motivation matters. Keep your interactions positive and productive.
• Could this cause harm? Review the content. Does it contain sensitive financial details, negative opinions about someone, or a confidential job inquiry? If sharing the message could harm the original sender's reputation or professional standing, do not forward it.

Smarter Alternatives to Forwarding

Sometimes, forwarding a message isn't the best way to get things done. Here are two highly professional alternatives that achieve the same goal while fostering better collaboration.

1. Make a Direct Introduction (Start a Group Message)

If your goal is to connect two people, forwarding a message is an inefficient middle step. A much better approach is to create a new group message to introduce them directly. This is transparent, professional, and empowers them to communicate directly.

How to Start a Group Message:

1. Open a new message in your LinkedIn inbox.
2. In the "To" field, type the name of the first person and select them. Then, type the name of the second person (and any others) and add them to the conversation.
3. Write a clear opening message that explains why you're connecting them. For example:

“Hi both,

John, I wanted to introduce you to Maria. Maria brought up a great point about our social media analytics strategy, and I thought your expertise would be incredibly helpful here.

Maria, John leads our data team and can give you a better breakdown of the new reporting software. I’ll let you two take it from here!”

This hands-off, empowering approach is what strong networking is all about.

2. Paraphrasing the Key Information

If you only need to convey a specific idea or piece of information from a conversation, you don’t need to share the entire message verbatim. Instead, just summarize the important details in your own words. This approach fully respects the privacy of the original conversation.

For example, instead of forwarding a long message thread about a potential new hire, you could simply write:

“I spoke with Sarah earlier, and she’s very interested in the project manager role. She confirmed her salary expectations are in line with our budget and is available to interview next week.”

This communicates all the necessary information without sharing a private conversation. It's clear, concise, and professional.

Final Thoughts

While LinkedIn doesn't offer a direct forward button, you can easily share messages using the copy-and-paste or screenshot methods. The most skilled professionals, however, know that the key isn’t just how you share the message, but why and when - always prioritizing context, privacy, and clear communication.

Managing countless messages across different platforms can feel scattered. At Postbase, we built a unified inbox where we can see and reply to comments and DMs from all our social profiles in one spot. It helps us avoid missing important conversations and keep our community management organized without the chaos of jumping between apps.