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How do I enable MMS texting on my iPad??

how do I enable mms trying only iPad

iPad Pro, iPadOS 13

Posted on Oct 5, 2020 4:22 PM

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3 replies

Oct 5, 2020 4:27 PM in response to nancyemac25

Do you have an iPhone, or just an iPad?


An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. However, If paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features.


You’ll need to ensure that MMS is explicitly enabled on your iPhone - and that Text Message Forwarding is also correctly configured on iPhone.


On your iPhone:

Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.

Settings > Messages > MMS Messaging - set to ON


Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON


More information:

How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support


Fault finding if needed:

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Oct 5, 2020 4:28 PM in response to nancyemac25

You must pair it with an iPhone -> Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support


By itself, an iPad is an internet data only device (doesn’t matter if it is a cellular+WiFi iPad or not). Thus it is limited to internet messaging only - iMessage, Skype, WhatsApp Web, etc.


You need a cellular telephone voice connection to use SMS/MMS services, thus the need to pair the iPad with an iPhone to share the iPhone’s texting capabilities with its cellular voice service.

How do I enable MMS texting on my iPad??

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