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Texting

I have an Android phone and an ipad. Is there any way to send text messages from the ipad? AT&T is the provider of my new Samsung Galaxy S22 phone.


iPad, iPadOS 15

Posted on Jul 24, 2022 9:41 AM

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Posted on Jul 24, 2022 9:54 AM

Without an iPhone, you will be limited to text message communication with users of iMessage only. This means you cannot text anyone using Android devices. This is because iPad, even with cellular data, does not have a cellular radio. With an iPhone, Apple employs Continuity Services, which lets you use the cellular radio from an iPhone to send SMS messages using an iPad. This isn't an option with an Android phone.

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Question marked as Best reply

Jul 24, 2022 9:54 AM in response to Rdesoto7

Without an iPhone, you will be limited to text message communication with users of iMessage only. This means you cannot text anyone using Android devices. This is because iPad, even with cellular data, does not have a cellular radio. With an iPhone, Apple employs Continuity Services, which lets you use the cellular radio from an iPhone to send SMS messages using an iPad. This isn't an option with an Android phone.

Jul 24, 2022 10:06 AM in response to Rdesoto7

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. If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.


However, when 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. Seeing as you have invested in an iPad, for ultimate flexibility of use with enhanced functionality, you might wish to consider changing your Android phone for an iPhone…



More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services accessed via an iPhone 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 (green bubbles) 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

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