How do I make it so all SMS and messages go to my iPhone instead of my iPad?

baierl wrote:

I recently got an iPad mini and already have an iPhone 5. I set up messages on the iPad, but now when some people send me messages, they sometimes go to my iPad instead of my phone.

You must be using your Apple ID email address as the contact for Messages. If you want to receive the messages on both devices, you need to add the phone number in Settings>Messages>Send & Receive at>You can be reached by iMessages at...see if your email address is checked in there. If it is - and if your iPhone number is in that setting - check it to use as the contact address.

If the number does not appear, you can add it, but you will probably have to starta ll over again - sign out on all devices - including the phone.

iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion: Link your phone number and Apple ...

I had one person change their Messages to use only SMS so it wasn't eating away her data plan, but I've got some other friends whose messages go to the iPad also.

Using only SMS does eat at the data plan, using iMessages via WiFi does not. You can send SMS messages from iPhones and other cell phones but that works over the carrier's network so it does use the data plan. iMessages will work over WiFi and will not use the data plan at all - as long as the message is being sent over WiFi.

Assign a different address (gmail,com?) to your iPad.

Using FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4319

Troubleshooting FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3367

The Complete Guide to FaceTime + iMessage: Setup, Use, and Troubleshooting

http://tinyurl.com/a7odey8

Troubleshooting FaceTime and iMessage activation

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4268

iOS: FaceTime is 'Unable to verify email because it is in use'

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3510

Using FaceTime and iMessage behind a firewall

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4245

iOS: About Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3529

Set up iMessage

http://www.apple.com/ca/ios/messages/

iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion: Link your phone number and Apple ID for use with FaceTime and iMessage

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5538

How to Set Up & Use iMessage on iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch with iOS

http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/18/set-up-imessage-on-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-with-io s-5/

Troubleshooting Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2755

Troubleshooting iMessage Issues: Some Useful Tips You Should Try

http://www.igeeksblog.com/troubleshooting-imessage-issues/

Setting Up Multiple iOS Devices for iMessage and Facetime

http://macmost.com/setting-up-multiple-ios-devices-for-messages-and-facetime.htm l

FaceTime and iMessage not accepting Apple ID password

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/facetime-and-imessage-not-acc epting-apple-id-password/

FaceTime, Game Center, Messages: Troubleshooting sign in issues

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3970

Unable to use FaceTime and iMessage with my apple ID

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4649373?tstart=90

How to Block Someone on FaceTime

http://www.ehow.com/how_10033185_block-someone-facetime.html

My Facetime Doesn't Ring

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4155326

To send messages to non-Apple devices, check out the TextFree app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/text-free-textfree-sms-real/id399355755?mt=8

How to Send SMS from iPad

http://www.iskysoft.com/apple-ipad/send-sms-from-ipad.html

You can check the status of the FaceTime/iMessage servers at this link.

http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/

 Cheers, Tom 😉