Receiving OTP notifications for an iPad eSIM card

I have an eSIM data compatible iPad ( no physical data sim access)and purchased a PAYG eSIM from a piggy back provider but can’t receive otp notifications on my iPad to access the app for the provider. Therefore I can’t easily control stopping the PAYG from automatically rolling onto the more expensive options when the introductory offer stops. I have speech and hearing disabilities and they are not easy to communicate with. Email usually elicits standard script responses which don’t cover a useful solution. I’ve tried text forwarding options as I have an iPhone and iPad on the same Apple ID but so far have been unsuccessful resolving this. I have a physical sim in the iPhone from a different provider which I can access their app for notifications and account access etc. The account I set up with for the iPad was initially set up with an emailed QR code and didn’t save an account that I can access without receiving an OTP nor will it let me save the sim to my iPhone. I’ve tried using the hotspot access from my iPad to iPhone but still no OTPs. Also tried adding the eSIM number to my sms/ txt forwarding etc but no luck as yet receiving OTPs to the iPad eSIM.

Any help would be appreciated

iPad Air, iPadOS 17

Posted on Aug 24, 2024 1:46 AM

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Posted on Aug 24, 2024 4:24 AM

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 an eSIM or physical 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 cannot be used for making calls or sending/receiving messages - such as OTP authentication codes sent to the associated number.


However, when used along with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad broaden to include access to the Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. It follows that any SMS/MMS messaging will be for the eSIM or physical SIM of the associated iPhone.


To conclude, the cellular number of the eSIM/SIM installed on your iPad fundamentally can not be used for SMS/MMS Cellular messaging.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 24, 2024 4:24 AM in response to clay sue

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 an eSIM or physical 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 cannot be used for making calls or sending/receiving messages - such as OTP authentication codes sent to the associated number.


However, when used along with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad broaden to include access to the Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. It follows that any SMS/MMS messaging will be for the eSIM or physical SIM of the associated iPhone.


To conclude, the cellular number of the eSIM/SIM installed on your iPad fundamentally can not be used for SMS/MMS Cellular messaging.


Aug 24, 2024 1:33 PM in response to clay sue

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.
  • MMS Messaging - set to ON if required (MMS messages often incur additional charges)


Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON


To be absolutely clear, the iPad will be using the iPhone's phone number to send and receive SMS/MMS messages.

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Receiving OTP notifications for an iPad eSIM card

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