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Unable to send texts from iPad to a Samsung device

I just purchased a new iPad 10th Generation iPad. I am unable to send any texts to my son who has a Samsung device. I’ve tried everything. Any advice?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad, iPadOS 15

Posted on Jan 6, 2023 9:02 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 6, 2023 9:38 AM

The iPad on its own cannot send SMS texts to non-Apple devices. It can only send iMessage messages to other Apple devices that have the feature turned on.


To send SMS texts to non-Apple Devices an iPhone using the same Apple ID is required. click here ➡️ Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 6, 2023 9:38 AM in response to debrasue72

The iPad on its own cannot send SMS texts to non-Apple devices. It can only send iMessage messages to other Apple devices that have the feature turned on.


To send SMS texts to non-Apple Devices an iPhone using the same Apple ID is required. click here ➡️ Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


Jan 6, 2023 10:22 AM in response to debrasue72

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android devices, you’ll need to use SMS/MMS messaging.


An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.


However, when paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features.


More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:


Continuity

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


SMS/MMS Messaging

How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support


WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support



If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages (green bubbles) from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...


On your iPhone:

Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.


Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON



Unable to send texts from iPad to a Samsung device

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