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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?

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 5:26 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 10:16 PM

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.

2 replies

Aug 13, 2021 12:52 AM in response to EmBlue

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

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


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

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