iPhone not sending text messages to Android users

The reason you're not able to send to non-iPhone users is that they don't use iMessage. It sounds like your regular (or SMS) text messaging isn't working, and all your messages are going out as iMessages to other iPhones. When you try to send a message to another phone that doesn't use iMessage, it won't go through. If you go to Settings > Messages, see if "Send and SMS" is turned on. If so, then something is stopping your SMS. That's not a setting on the phone - it would be an issue with your carrier, Verizon. Each phone has its own line of service, so it's very possible for your SMS to be blocked or not working on your phone, and working on every other phone on your account.

Actually, the post I was responding to read as follows: "Can't send text messages to non iPhone users". The solution, using "text forwarding" was suggested by another user, and is an absolutely correct solution. With that option selected, sending text messages to and from the iPad appears as seamlessly as sending them to and from the iPhone, because Verizon, apparently like many cell providers, "blocks" text messages to and from the iPad for reasons known only to it.. You should substitute the word "call" with the word "text", and it should make sense to you. If not, I don't really care.Nice to know that you word police are right on top of everything.

This solution worked for me:

Pick up the iPhone,

Go to Settings, then Messages, then Text Message Forwarding.

It will show you a button to turn on and link a device, such as your MacBook.

It will then show you a code to enter and link the 2 devices, and that will allow you to send text messages from your OSX device (MacBook, Desktop, Whateva)

You should be good to go.

Hope it helps...:)

Kairos

I don't disagree. Part of the frustration stems from spending time with Apple technical support with no mention of the text forwarding solution that ultimately solve the problem. When I made the original post it followed additional frustration at the local Apple Store, with its technical folks blaming Verizon and vice versa. It was a very loud environment while holding with Verizon on the phone. The folks at Verizon ultimately called back several hours later with the same solution. Should not be that difficult.

If the issue is just slightly outside of the Apple box, tech support is going to be worthless. Recently had to replace an iPad Pro due to a battery problem. Even though the SIM card was transferred, I started having problems sending and receiving text messages, which I had done for years prior to the replacement. Apple pointed the finger at Verizon, and Verizon pointed the finger at Apple. Turns out the new device needed to be selected with "call forwarding" on the iPhone. A very simple fix that took several hours with Verizon and Apple to implement. They never considered this type of change when a device is replaced due to hardware issues. Hope this helps.

Kairos777 wrote:

This solution worked for me:

Pick up the iPhone,

Go to Settings, then Messages, then Text Message Forwarding.

It will show you a button to turn on and link a device, such as your MacBook.

It will then show you a code to enter and link the 2 devices, and that will allow you to send text messages from your OSX device (MacBook, Desktop, Whateva)

This will have no effect on your ability to send a text to a non-iPhone user from the iPhone. It will enable you to send and receive texts to non-iPhone users from your computer.

geavlaw wrote:

Turns out the new device needed to be selected with "call forwarding" on the iPhone. A very simple fix that took several hours with Verizon and Apple to implement. They never considered this type of change when a device is replaced due to hardware issues. Hope this helps.

Being able to send an SMS from your iPad has nothing to do with call forwarding. Any time you add a new iPad, you're going to need to tell the phone to forward text messages to it in Settings>Messages>Text Message Forwarding. It also has nothing to do with the subject of this thread.

If the original poster's question was not yours and previous comments didn't apply to your issue, then adding in your own question would be considered 'hijacking' the thread. That's poor etiquette. On any forum.

Kairos is also partially to blame, because the OP never mentioned having a Macbook, and the thread was dormant for over a month as well. That's considered 'necrobumping', and is also poor forum etiquette.

Glad we had this chat. Enjoy your stay here. Have a nice day.

This worked for me also, thank you for sharing!

Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding > button to turn on and link a device, such as your MacBook > will then show you a code to enter and link the 2 devices, and that will allow you to send text messages from your OSX device (MacBook, Desktop, Whateva)

Frustrated2much wrote:

NNo it is not Verizon as there are 3 of us on the account and only one has issues. All of the settings are the same.

SMS is a carrier feature not an Apple or iphone feature.

Are you saying it's not Verizon after you called and talked to them about your issue with their feature?

Or are you just saying it because people in your account doesn't have any issues?

Frustrated2much wrote:

NNo it is not Verizon as there are 3 of us on the account and only one has issues. All of the settings are the same.

It doesn't matter how many phones are on the same account. Each phone has its own set of features enabled. Text messaging could be blocked on your phone but not on any of the others. Call Verizon.

But, Meg, look at the title of the forum:

Can't send text messages to non iPhone users.

That is what I was seeking and that is what Kairos was responding to. BTW, let's try to be above snide comments which have nothing to do with helping others. Again, thanks, Kairos, for taking the time to be helpful.😉

Actually, I read all of the posts carefully, but they didn't apply to my issue. As I've noticed in other fora, responders generally try to respond to the original post as well as to what the forum title is asking. Good for me since the original poster's question was not mine, but Kairos' answer was! Wasn't it great that one forum answered two questions so nicely😉. Have a great day!

kmingea wrote:

Go to setting, cellular, Enable LTE, and use LTE DATA ONLY. Verizon doesn't seem to be able to do voice and data over LTE. That got my messaging to work to non iPhone text phones.

It works fine for me. I have VoLTE enabled and have never had a problem with SMS. Nor do any of the people I know with iPhones on Verizon.