How to sync Apple Watch with iPad

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How to sync Apple Watch with iPad

Hello, my son has a cellular T-Mobile plan for his Apple Watch we got him for Christmas. He also really wants an iPad that he can use for school but also would like to text message with also. My question is, can he sign into his iCloud account on an iPad and text message just like he does on his Apple Watch? Will he receive all the messages ok on an iPad? Mainly want to make sure his phone number he has on his Apple Watch will function for messaging on an iPad.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air 2, iPadOS 15

Posted on Feb 19, 2024 5:54 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

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216,374 points

Feb 19, 2024 8:48 AM in response to Jrumbach

Jrumbach wrote:

1. Thank you very much! What exactly do you mean by "His watch phone number will not directly function on the iPad."

like making calls or receiving calls?

Correct. He will not be able to make calls or receive calls from the iPad using the watch number nor will he be able to send or receive SMS messages on the iPad to and from the watch number.

An iPad can make and receive Facetime Calls and send and receive Messages through iMessage directly over wi-fi, no extra fee.

The number on the Watch would not be able to be used on the iPad at all.

The iPad if its a cellular version can get its own cellular service plan for a fee for internet access only when away from Wi-Fi. It cannot be used to make or receive cellular voice calls or send or receive SMS text messages.

To do that it requires an iPhone logged in to the same Apple ID for iCloud, Messages and Facetime.

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Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

216,374 points

Feb 19, 2024 7:04 AM in response to Jrumbach

Yes, he can sign in with his iCloud account on the iPad.
He will receive any messages sent to his Apple Id as an iMessage. He will not receive any SMS messages sent to his phone number on the watch.
His watch phone number will not directly function on the iPad.
You cannot directly pair an Apple Watch to an iPad.

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Answer 3

Feb 19, 2024 8:42 AM in response to Jrumbach

Jrumbach wrote:

sorry, and a few other questions I thought of. Would he need a cellular service iPad to receive messages on the iPad from his actual phone number, or would he be able to do this with a Wi-Fi version as well?

An iPad that is not linked to an iPhone can only send and receive iMessage. It cannot send or receive SMS messages. It can send or receiver iMessage on either WiFi or cellular data.

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Answer 4

Phil0124

Level 10

216,374 points

Feb 20, 2024 7:05 AM in response to Jrumbach

iMessages (blue) should be received on the iPad regardless of where they are sent to.

SMS messages (green) will not be received by the iPad.

click here ➜ What is the difference between iMessage and SMS/MMS? - Apple Support

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Answer 5

Feb 19, 2024 8:23 AM in response to Jrumbach

Jrumbach wrote:

1. Thank you very much! What exactly do you mean by "His watch phone number will not directly function on the iPad."

like making calls or receiving calls?

The mobile number assigned to an iPad is for billing purposes only. It cannot be used for making calls or sending SMS messages.

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Answer 6

Jrumbach Author

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Feb 19, 2024 8:34 AM in response to Jrumbach

sorry, and a few other questions I thought of. Would he need a cellular service iPad to receive messages on the iPad from his actual phone number, or would he be able to do this with a Wi-Fi version as well?

and if he purchases the cellular version, is there an extra fee to use the cellular service like his watch phone number for messsaging when he is not in a Wi-Fi range?

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Answer 7

Jrumbach Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 19, 2024 8:09 PM in response to Phil0124

Ok great info! Thanks - last question here I promise lol. When you mentioned "The number on the Watch would not be able to be used on the iPad at all."

I am wondering when he is signed in with his iCloud account on a new iPad will he be receiving iMessages that are actually sent to his phone number (for his Apple Watch) or would it have to be an iMessage sent to his email address for iCloud for him to receive on iPad. I really just want to make sure if his friends and family send a text from an iPhone to his Apple Watch number that he can view that on his iPad.

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Answer 8

Jrumbach Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 19, 2024 8:16 AM in response to Phil0124

Thank you very much! What exactly do you mean by "His watch phone number will not directly function on the iPad."

like making calls or receiving calls?

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How to sync Apple Watch with iPad

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