Q: Why can't I iMessage android users from my iPad?  Yes the iPad is connected to the Internet.  I can iMessage from my iPhone and both are using ios8.3.

Since you are an iphone user there is a way to use your iPad to text to non iMessage devices. Make sure your iPad is turned on.  Now your iPhone go to Settings: Messages.   Tap on Text Message Forwarding. Move the slider to activate forwarding.  A code will be displayed on your iPad.  Enter that same code on your iPhone.  That should allow you to send / receive non iMessages on your iPad.

The iPad does not have a phone number associated with it.  My understanding is that SMS  messages go through the voice network which the iPad has no capability of reaching.

The iPad is not a phone and cannot send SMS messages on its own.

With the Continuity feature of iOS 8 you can send SMS messages from your iPad through your iPhone.

See here:,Connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac using Continuity - Apple Support

Thank you so much for posting this. I've been trying to figure this out for months. Didn't realise the option needed to be done on the settings of my iPhone in order for my iPad to be able to send texts