How do I send texts to non-Apple devices without a cell plan?

I discovered this app already installed on my iPad in early April and I was ecstatic when I found out I could text my parents. It was a pleasant surprise, but later on, I found out I could only text other Apple devices. Lots of my good friends have either flip phones or Androids. I would love to be able to communicate with them. But I am 10 years old and do not—and probably shouldn’t—have any cellular-ness whatsoever. If this is impossible to achieve, I understand. I think I’ve tried about 100 times myself. It would be a really thrilling thing, though, if I could forward text messages to non-Apple devices.

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Jul 12, 2023 8:50 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 12, 2023 9:00 AM

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android or non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use SMS/MMS messaging.


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 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



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



Postscript


Be aware that the Terms of Use that govern participation within the Apple Support Community states that the minimum age to post or participate within this forum is 13 years of Age. See Condition C.1 Minors:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 12, 2023 9:00 AM in response to sawyer235

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android or non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use SMS/MMS messaging.


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 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



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



Postscript


Be aware that the Terms of Use that govern participation within the Apple Support Community states that the minimum age to post or participate within this forum is 13 years of Age. See Condition C.1 Minors:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I send texts to non-Apple devices without a cell plan?

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