Cannot receive SMS messages on cellular iPad, can't verify phone number without being able to receive SMS. Help!

I have an iPad I'm trying to set up for business purposes. I created a new Apple ID because I don't want this iPad to have access to all my personal accounts. The iPad is cellular capable and I bought a text/data plan for it. My problem is this: iMessages will only send through my email address, not phone number which I don't want. I want to send SMS through the phone number I purchased for this iPad. When I go to Settings>Messages>Send&Receive it ONLY lists my email with no option to add a phone number. I have tried to add the phone to my Apple ID but when I do it sends a security code text to the phone number, which I can't receive. I feel like I'm losing my mind. Can someone please please help?

iPad Air 2, iPadOS 14

Posted on Apr 30, 2021 1:33 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 30, 2021 1:40 PM

Hello and Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

As of right now Cellular iPads can only be used for data and don't support calling and texting from the SIM card, if you want to use a number you would need an iPhone linked to the Apple ID (Any model would work fine) with a SIM card and allow Text message forwarding. You should ask your carrier for a Tablet plan and they should offer one. You can use external Apps like Text now over data to text and call with SMS however its not nearly as secure as iMessage and gives you lots and lots of Adds.


I have attached an article that may be helpful to you:

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


I hope I answered your question,

Cheers!

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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 30, 2021 1:40 PM in response to EJCSD

Hello and Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

As of right now Cellular iPads can only be used for data and don't support calling and texting from the SIM card, if you want to use a number you would need an iPhone linked to the Apple ID (Any model would work fine) with a SIM card and allow Text message forwarding. You should ask your carrier for a Tablet plan and they should offer one. You can use external Apps like Text now over data to text and call with SMS however its not nearly as secure as iMessage and gives you lots and lots of Adds.


I have attached an article that may be helpful to you:

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


I hope I answered your question,

Cheers!

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Cannot receive SMS messages on cellular iPad, can't verify phone number without being able to receive SMS. Help!

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