Suddenly I can no longer send messages to Android devices. Messages do not go through, but work perfectly with Apple to Apple. This problem exists using my iPhone 12 or my iPad Pro 3rd generation. Both devices are running the latest updates. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
iPad Pro, iPadOS 18
GregS2868 wrote:
This gets more interesting.....the above options show up on my iPhone 12 Pro, but NOT on my #3rd Gen iPad Pro!
don't know where they could have gone. Yes I'm up to date on both, with iOS 26.2!
You won't see these settings on your iPad - only your iPhone. For SMS, MMS and RCS messaging, iPad uses message-forwarding from the iPhone to access these Cellular messaging protocols.
In more detail, 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 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
If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...
On your iPhone:
Settings > [Apps] Messages >
Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON
GregS2868 wrote:
This gets more interesting.....the above options show up on my iPhone 12 Pro, but NOT on my #3rd Gen iPad Pro!
don't know where they could have gone. Yes I'm up to date on both, with iOS 26.2!
You won't see these settings on your iPad - only your iPhone. For SMS, MMS and RCS messaging, iPad uses message-forwarding from the iPhone to access these Cellular messaging protocols.
In more detail, 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 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
If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...
On your iPhone:
Settings > [Apps] Messages >
Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON
Try the following:
Make sure that Retry as Text Message and MMS Messaging are toggled on. ↓
Let me know if that helped.
Good Luck! 👋🏼😉
Smiliñ 😎 Brian
I have a similar issue: Texting from my MacBook Pro and iPhone (current OS) to some Android phones does not work - but it does work to other Android phones. And confusingly, it now seems to work when I turn off iMessage on the phone, and also turn off MMS messaging. But inconsistently. I’m very confused.
This gets more interesting.....the above options show up on my iPhone 12 Pro, but NOT on my #3rd Gen iPad Pro!
don't know where they could have gone. Yes I'm up to date on both, with iOS 26.2!
Since it is not possible to send SMS messages without an iPhone being used as Text Message forwarding, as long as the iPhone 12 is not able to do it the iPad will not either.
Forward text messages from your iPhone to other devices - Apple Support
Start by investigating the problem with the iPhone 12 and contact your cell provider to make sure your SIM is correctly provisioned for SMS messaging.
Suddenly cannot message Android devices!
