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Group messages on iPad stopped working if one member of the group does not use an iPhone.

I have a few group texts where one of the members doesn’t use an iPhone. This has not been a problem up until today. My iPhone and iMac continue to be synced with messages, group messages but on my iPad it is sending the message to the individual or not sending it at all if I try on the iPad. At the top of the screen on the iPad, rather than showing the initials of some members and indicating group size, it says “Outgoing”. I’ve not seen this before. I am on the latest IOS update. IPadPro 2nd generation. Thank you

iPad Pro, 16

Posted on Aug 12, 2023 8:08 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 13, 2023 10:43 AM

You can find information about Apple’s Group Messaging here:

Have a group conversation in Messages on iPad – Apple Support


iOS/IPadOS Group Messaging uses Apple’s iMessage service. Android and other non-Apple devices don’t support iMessage - and therefore cannot participate in Group Messages; instead you can send and receive messages to these devices using SMS/MMS messaging - but only if you have an iPhone.


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.


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


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 13, 2023 10:43 AM in response to lavernes-mom

You can find information about Apple’s Group Messaging here:

Have a group conversation in Messages on iPad – Apple Support


iOS/IPadOS Group Messaging uses Apple’s iMessage service. Android and other non-Apple devices don’t support iMessage - and therefore cannot participate in Group Messages; instead you can send and receive messages to these devices using SMS/MMS messaging - but only if you have an iPhone.


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.


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


Group messages on iPad stopped working if one member of the group does not use an iPhone.

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