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Can’t text a specific contact. Says contact needs to be registered in iMessage

Can’t imessage a specific user. works for other contact without issue. selected user shows up in red font and will not deliver. indicates contact is not registered in iMessage. Can’t find a way to do that.

iPad Wi-Fi, iOS 11.2.6

Posted on Mar 15, 2018 8:29 PM

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Posted on Mar 15, 2018 8:37 PM

If you don't have an iPhone, your iPad can only text other Apple devices using iMessage. All receiving device must have iMessage enabled. You cannot remotely enable someone's device iMessage for that.

If you also have an iPhone then use Continuity to text all mobile phones: Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

Assuming your also have SMS/MMS plans from your carrier.

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Question marked as Best reply

Mar 15, 2018 8:37 PM in response to Lumbercutter

If you don't have an iPhone, your iPad can only text other Apple devices using iMessage. All receiving device must have iMessage enabled. You cannot remotely enable someone's device iMessage for that.

If you also have an iPhone then use Continuity to text all mobile phones: Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

Assuming your also have SMS/MMS plans from your carrier.

Mar 15, 2018 8:36 PM in response to Lumbercutter

You cannot do anything about that. If that recipient is not using an Apple device and iMessage, then your iPad cannot send a text to it.


An ipad by itself is solely restricted to internet based messaging services only. Apple’s free internet messaging service is iMessage and it requires that both sender and recipient be using an Apple device and Apple’s iMessage Service.


An ipad can also use internet services like skype or google hangout. So you and your contact could use one of those.


To send or receive SMS/MMS texts you need a cellular telephone voice network connection, which no ipad is capable of. If you have an iPhone you can pair the iPad to it so the iPad can share the phones SMS texting service (Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support).

Can’t text a specific contact. Says contact needs to be registered in iMessage

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