🔒 Local-first · your messages are never uploaded

Help Center

From granting permissions to configuring channels, from forwarding scope to device troubleshooting — step by step, so "never miss it" really holds. Still stuck? See the FAQ and troubleshooting checklist at the bottom.

1. Quick start (5 minutes)

On first launch you'll review and accept the privacy policy, then the app guides you through three steps.

1

Grant Notification Access

On the home screen, the red "Permission required" bar → tap "Grant permission" → toggle on NotifyForward in the system list. Forwarding notifications and detecting missed calls both depend on it.

2

Disable battery optimization

Home "Battery optimization" → set NotifyForward to "Unrestricted". Otherwise the background may freeze, delaying or stopping forwarding.

3

Configure a channel & start

Tap any of the Bark / Email / SMS / Webhook cards, fill it in and flip the switch; when the home screen shows "Service running" it's live. Tap "Test forward" to verify receipt.

Note: if the home screen warns "No forwarding destination configured" while you have the SMS / missed-call toggles on, those events are silently dropped — add and enable at least one channel first.
Home screen — grant permission and start the service
Home screen
Grant permission here, then start the service.

2. Configure forwarding channels

Each channel can have multiple destinations, each with its own switch. With no usable destination, that event is dropped.

🔔 Bark (instant push to iPhone)

  • Server address: must include ://, e.g. https://api.day.app or a self-hosted address.
  • Device key: the key for that device in the Bark app.
  • Full push URL = server address / device key.
  • You can self-host a Bark server for full data control.

📧 Email (cross-platform archive)

  • Fill in SMTP host, port, transport security, sender account, password, recipient.
  • Pick AUTO for automatic security by port (465→SSL, 587→STARTTLS).
  • Most providers need an authorization code, not the login password.
  • Tap "Test connection" for a real SMTP check.

💬 SMS (offline fallback)

  • Destination number: e.g. +8613800138000.
  • Dual-SIM phones can forward only a specific SIM.
  • ⚠️ Each successful send is charged by the carrier.

🔗 Webhook (any HTTP endpoint)

  • URL: any http:// or https:// address.
  • POST (JSON) or GET; optional Bearer token (Keystore-encrypted).
  • Skip TLS verification is per single target only — never global.
  • Fixed payload with eventId for easy dedupe on your side.
ProviderSMTP hostPortSecurity
QQ Mailsmtp.qq.com465 / 587SSL / STARTTLS
163 Mailsmtp.163.com465 / 994SSL
Gmailsmtp.gmail.com465 / 587SSL / STARTTLS
Outlooksmtp.office365.com587STARTTLS
SMS & missed-call are OFF by default. To protect sensitive data, forwarding of SMS and missed calls starts disabled. The first time you turn either on, the app shows a one-time disclosure dialog explaining what is accessed; nothing is forwarded until you explicitly consent. This is by design, not a bug.

3. Set the forwarding scope

Event types

  • Include SMS: whether local SMS is forwarded (dual-path dedupe, never duplicated). Off by default.
  • Include missed calls: whether missed calls are forwarded (no phone permission needed). Off by default.

App filtering

  • Forward all: every app forwards (more noise).
  • Allowlist: only added apps forward (recommended).
  • Blocklist: all except blocked apps forward.

Manage apps

  • Open the list to add/remove or toggle individual apps.
  • The filtering mode is switched on the home screen (the AppFilter page shows it read-only).
Tip: missed calls and SMS are independent event types, not affected by app filtering — only their own toggles matter.
App filter list screen
App filter
Manage which apps forward.

4. Device troubleshooting (check here first if forwarding fails)

OPPO / realme / OnePlus (ColorOS)

NotifyForward fixed ColorOS dialer missed-call swallowing. Still ensure: Notification Access on + battery optimization off + Phone Manager allows auto-start.

Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS)

Settings → Battery & performance → App battery saver → NotifyForward → No restrictions; also allow auto-start.

Huawei / Honor / Samsung

Add NotifyForward to "Unrestricted / Manual manage", allow auto-start and background activity; remove it from the deep-sleep list.

General: service killed by the system — no forwarding at all after screen lock is usually battery optimization / auto-start limits. Turn off optimization, allow background, and lock the app in recent tasks (pull down to lock).
Privacy & compliance

Your data stays yours

A first-launch consent gate and sensitive-defaults keep you in control.

No server, no account

Nothing is uploaded to us. Messages only go to the Bark / Email / SMS destinations you configure.

Secrets encrypted at rest

Bark keys and email passwords live in the Android Keystore (AES-256-GCM); non-root devices can't read them in plaintext.

You stay in control

SMS & missed-call forwarding are OFF until you opt in; the app asks for consent before enabling either.

5. FAQ

Do I need two phones?

Not necessarily. It's commonly used by two-phone users to aggregate a spare phone's messages, and also works for forwarding a single phone's notifications to email / another device for backup.

Will my messages be uploaded to a server?

No. Runs entirely locally, no server, no account.

Why do SMS and missed-call forwarding start turned off?

By design, for privacy. SMS content and caller info are sensitive, so the app keeps those channels disabled until you explicitly turn them on. The first time you do, a short disclosure dialog explains what is accessed, and you must confirm. Notification forwarding (non-sensitive) is the only thing enabled out of the box.

Will forwarding duplicate?

No. Regular notifications have a 5-second content dedupe; SMS uses dual-path body dedupe; missed calls dedupe by notification key (different calls forward separately even with identical text — the "same-text swallowing" bug is fixed).

Why don't I receive missed-call forwards?

Check in order: ① "Include missed calls" is on; ② Notification Access is granted; ③ battery optimization is off; ④ whether that model's dialer package is recognized (see device troubleshooting above; mainstream OEMs are covered, with the device default dialer as fallback).

Does SMS forwarding cost money?

The SMS channel is charged per carrier rates; Bark / Email go over the network.

Can it forward WeChat / QQ content?

Yes, as long as that app's notifications are enabled and not filtered. Forwarding uses the visible notification text.

How do I migrate config after changing phones?

NotifyForward stores config locally with no cloud sync. After switching, reconfigure channels and filters on the new phone (screenshot the old settings recommended).