messages on OSX and iPad

Question

Level 1

6 points

messages on OSX and iPad

What is the difference between them? A couple of iOS updates ago I know that they weren't the same app but now they share the same name, it's not unreasonable to expect them to operate in the same way but they don't and I'd love to know why.

I can chat with any yahoo-based contacts on my Mini, but my iPad refuses to let me even add the same email. My friend uses an iPhone so it surely isn't that ---- or is it?

Please could someone enlighten me? It's winding me up now.

Many thanks

Helen

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), late 2012

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 2:29 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Oct 30, 2015 8:03 AM in response to Helen A

Do you have an iPhone using the same ID for Messages?

Is Continuity setup on all three devices? It could be that Continuity is setup on the Mac Mini and not the iPad.

System requirements for Continuity on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac - Apple Support

Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac - Apple Support

Can the iPad receive and send Messages to other users?

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Answer 2

Oct 30, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Helen A

The difference is Messages on OSx can connect to different messaging services. The iPad Messages App can´t.

When you chat with Yahoo based contacts you do so on the Yahoo based Chat/messaging service.

Because you yourself have a Yahoo account you used to log in to said messaging service to make use of it.

Mac Basics: Messages helps you chat instantly - Apple Support

You cannot log in to Yahoo's messaging service on an iPad or iPhone, without an App that can connect to Yahoo's messaging service.

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Answer 3

Helen A Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 30, 2015 8:59 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks - you've solved it for me.

So it's a case of maybe using phone numbers on the ipad ??

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2015 9:13 AM in response to Helen A

On an iPad, you can use either a phone number or email address, as long as they are associated with iMessage. i.e. your intended recipient must have the email address or phone number as an option in "You can be reached by iMessage At" option in Settings->Messages->Send & Receive on their devices if you want to contact them via Messages on the iPad.

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