Text message on WI-FI iPad issue

I just got a new iPad. It is wi-only. It is set up to receive text messages via my cell phone number as well as my email address. It is not receiving texts. I had an Air2 that worked perfectly. I think I have settings on the new iPad the same as the old one. Any ideas?

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Feb 16, 2024 6:53 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 16, 2024 6:57 AM

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android or non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use Cellular 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 activated the iPad's eSIM (if applicable) or added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the eSIM/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


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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 16, 2024 6:57 AM in response to Robhub

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android or non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use Cellular 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 activated the iPad's eSIM (if applicable) or added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the eSIM/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


Feb 17, 2024 3:24 AM in response to Robhub

Robhub wrote:

I have an iPhone 14 Pro. It worked very well with my Air2, but not as well with the iPad.


To reiterate...:


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

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Text message on WI-FI iPad issue

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