Why does iMessage not support sending SMS messagaes to non-mac/iphone clients? And before saying "It does, via the iPhone" please note that such a response is not an answer since it does not address the exact question.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.2
Check with your carrier, as some offer email-to-text / text-to-email options.
https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1061254
But as correctly mentioned above, the direct answer to your question is “there is no hardware to do that”, and you’ll need to use Continuity via an iPhone for SMS and RCS access, or some other chat protocol of which there are some fine choices, and some garbage choices.
The SMS and RCS standards are insecure and problematic from a privacy perspective, as well.
Check with your carrier, as some offer email-to-text / text-to-email options.
https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1061254
But as correctly mentioned above, the direct answer to your question is “there is no hardware to do that”, and you’ll need to use Continuity via an iPhone for SMS and RCS access, or some other chat protocol of which there are some fine choices, and some garbage choices.
The SMS and RCS standards are insecure and problematic from a privacy perspective, as well.
kupjones62 wrote:
Actually, that is not a direct answer to my original question. And, yes, there is hardware to do that as I mentioned in my reply, and has been for quite awhile. So, the direct answer to my question would be "No, Apple does not provide that".
There are third-party SMS providers (e.g. Twilio) in addition to carriers that can provide this access and particularly in bulk, and there are third-party Mac apps (Pulse SMS, SMS Mac, etc) that provide SMS access as well.
You can certainly ask for SMS and RCS services as an enhancement from Apple beyond the Continuity relay feature, but I’d expect GSM data and GNSS hardware to be added at most, should Apple should decide to enhance the Mac product communications offerings. Not SMS and RCS.
Here is how to send Product Feedback - Apple
SMS requires a device that is using a cellular carrier network. See the following from What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS? - Apple Support
SMS and MMS are carrier-provided services. When your device connects to your cellular network, it communicates with your carrier. User identifiers are exchanged for your carrier to authenticate your device. These identifiers could include but are not limited to your IMEI, IMSI, current IP address, and phone number.
To use SMS/MMS on an iPhone, you need a text-messaging plan that supports these services. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.
Actually, that is not a direct answer to my original question. And, yes, there is hardware to do that as I mentioned in my reply, and has been for quite awhile. So, the direct answer to my question would be "No, Apple does not provide that".
I'm aware. And in the past carriers have provided gateways for non-cellular devices to send messages. It is just sad that Apple provides no such service for Mac users.
Sending text messages from *only* a Mac
