Texting on iPad
If I have an iPad/iPad mini to be used only when connected to wifi (no cellular data plan), can I send SMS text messages to non Apple devices?
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If I have an iPad/iPad mini to be used only when connected to wifi (no cellular data plan), can I send SMS text messages to non Apple devices?
Yes. Ensure that the iPhone and your iPad are signed on to the same Apple ID. Once you have confirmed that, then follow the instructions in this guide published by Apple ➔ How to setup text message forwarding from your iPhone to the iPad.
Axel F.
Yes. Ensure that the iPhone and your iPad are signed on to the same Apple ID. Once you have confirmed that, then follow the instructions in this guide published by Apple ➔ How to setup text message forwarding from your iPhone to the iPad.
Axel F.
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.
More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:
Continuity
Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support
SMS/MMS Messaging
WiFi Calling
Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support
If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID, to send SMS/MMS messages from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...
On your iPhone:
Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.
Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON
Texting on iPad