# forwardMessage

> Use this method to forward messages of any kind

**Category:** Telegram Bot API — Methods (A-Z)  
**URL:** https://docs.botlify.cloud/forwardmessage  
**Platform:** Botlify Cloud (https://botlify.cloud)  

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Use this method to forward messages of any kind. Service messages and messages with protected content can't be forwarded. On success, the sent Message is returned.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| chat_id | Integer or String | Yes | Unique identifier for the target chat or username of the target bot, supergroup or channel in the format @username |
| message_thread_id | Integer | Optional | Unique identifier for the target message thread (topic) of a forum; for forum supergroups and private chats of bots with forum topic mode enabled only |
| direct_messages_topic_id | Integer | Optional | Identifier of the direct messages topic to which the message will be forwarded; required if the message is forwarded to a direct messages chat |
| from_chat_id | Integer or String | Yes | Unique identifier for the chat where the original message was sent (or username of the target bot, supergroup or channel in the format @username) |
| video_start_timestamp | Integer | Optional | New start timestamp for the forwarded video in the message |
| disable_notification | Boolean | Optional | Sends the message silently. Users will receive a notification with no sound. |
| protect_content | Boolean | Optional | Protects the contents of the forwarded message from forwarding and saving |
| message_effect_id | String | Optional | Unique identifier of the message effect to be added to the message; only available when forwarding to private chats |
| suggested_post_parameters | SuggestedPostParameters | Optional | A JSON-serialized object containing the parameters of the suggested post to send; for direct messages chats only |
| message_id | Integer | Yes | Message identifier in the chat specified in from_chat_id |

## Example

```php

```

> [!TIP]
> **Botlify Cloud Runtime**
> Credentials are auto-injected in .env — always load them with getenv(): BOT_TOKEN, ADMIN_CHAT_ID, BOT_USERNAME. Main database: database.db (SQLite, WAL mode). Runtime errors: error.log. Quick test: send to $ADMIN_CHAT_ID. Full details: Runtime Reference.