How to enable MMS messaging for Messages on MacBook Air

I read a previous thread that listed what to do; go to Settings > Messages > untick the iMessage toggle and then turn it back on and select your Apple ID when it appears in the lists of numbers and accounts enabled to use iMessage.... the entire process didn't fix this issue... I'm trying to be able to use voice messaging on my MacBook so when my phone is charging; I can still respond to voice messages with my friend who uses an Android device which uses MMS in order to send and receive those types of messages... I get the aforementioned error "Cannot Send Message" and telling me to enable MMS in Settings... I cannot find any indication for this specific setting anywhere. I don't know what to do now because I tried turning iMessage off; double checking my Apple ID matches... etc


Is there something I'm missing?

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jul 18, 2023 9:42 PM

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Posted on Jul 18, 2023 9:49 PM

Macs do not have the ability to use SMS or MMS. However, the way that works is you use text message forwarding from your phone to your Mac. In settings in your iPhone you'll need to go to messages and click on text message forwarding, and make sure your MacBook Air is turned on there. Then you need to make sure MMS and send as SMS it turned on right under that section under messages.




Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


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Question marked as Best reply

Jul 18, 2023 9:49 PM in response to bmlov3

Macs do not have the ability to use SMS or MMS. However, the way that works is you use text message forwarding from your phone to your Mac. In settings in your iPhone you'll need to go to messages and click on text message forwarding, and make sure your MacBook Air is turned on there. Then you need to make sure MMS and send as SMS it turned on right under that section under messages.




Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


Dec 17, 2023 5:53 PM in response to concordia1122

Just so you are aware, Apple devices work with two types of "text" messaging systems:


  1. iMessages: This is an Apple propriety text messaging system that works between Apple devices only. These are typically denoted by a "blue bubble" message.
  2. SMS/MMS Text Messages: These are part of your cellular provider's texting plan for your phone. These are denoted as "green bubbles."

How to enable MMS messaging for Messages on MacBook Air

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