Q: How do I prevent my iPhone and my iPad synching text messages

This is because you have both devices set up to receive the messages. This is an easy fix.

On each device, go to Settings>Messages>Send & Receive.

You will see a list of phone numbers and email addresses that you can receive iMessages for on that device.

Check the ones you want to receive iMessages for on that device and uncheck the ones you don't want to receive on that device.

Do this for both devices to set what you want on each.

Use an email address like the free gmail.com as the iMessage address on 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 and OS X: 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/

Set Up Alert Sounds

http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1873027&seqNum=3

Extra FaceTime IDs

http://tinyurl.com/k683gr4

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/

Fix Can’t Sign Into FaceTime or iMessage iOS 7

http://ipadtutr.com/fix-login-facetime-imessage-ios-7/

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

iOS 7 allows you to block phone numbers or e-mail addresses from contacting you via the Phone, FaceTime, or Messages

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57602643-285/you-can-block-people-from-conta cting-you-on-ios-7/

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/message/19087457#19087457

How to watch FaceTime calls on the big screen with Apple TV

http://www.imore.com/daily-tip-ios-5-airplay-mirroring-facetime

Send an iMessage as a Text Message Instead with a Quick Tap & Hold

http://osxdaily.com/2012/11/18/send-imessage-as-text-message/

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

How to Receive SMS Messages on an iPad

http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/receive-sms-messages-ipad-16776.html

Apps for Texting http://appadvice.com/appguides/show/apps-for-texting

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

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

 Cheers, Tom

pdmike wrote:

On my iPhone, I go to Settings/Messages/Send and Receive.  All I see is my iPhone number, grayed out and no other phone numbers. 

This is correct and how you should see it on your phone. You cannot deselect the phone number on your iPhone. The "add an email" link is to allow you to add your email address if you choose. You would just put in your password and it will add on your phone.

pdmike wrote:

 

I don't think, on that alone, my iPhone texts should end up on my iPad, should they?

 

No, that only affects what texts you would receive on your iPhone.

pdmike wrote:

 

I think what I need to do is take a look at Settings/Messages/Send and Receive on my iPad and make adjustments there.  Since the iPad has been showing my iPhone texts, I think I am probably going to see my iPhone number listed under Send and Receive.  If I uncheck it on the iPad, that should do it, don't you think?

 

Exactly what you need to do and what would happen.

It may be that I have the same email address under Settings/Messages/Send and Receive, on both my iPhone and my iPad.  If that's the situation, should I change one or both of those email addresses? 

You cannot remove the phone number from your iPhone, so any texts to that number will by necessity go to the iPhone. However, as you have seen you can remove any email addresses from the phone. As far as the iPad goes, you can uncheck the phone number from your iPad and you will no longer receive the texts there.

Be aware that after an update, those settings may be changed and you will again receive texts on both devices. I ran into this after updating to iOS 7.0 and I began receiving my wife's texts as well as mine and vice versa (we use the same Apple ID). But checking/unchecking as appropriate on my iPhone, my wife's iPhone and her iPad, it isn't a problem.