Even with a cellular data plan, iPads can’t inherently send SMS. That doesn’t mean you can’t chat with other people using SMS. It requires a bit of configuration on your iPhone or a third-party app.
Just because you’re on an iPad doesn’t mean you can’t chat with your friends via SMS | Robert S. Donovan
Your best bet: Go ahead with your iPhone
If you have both an iPhone and an iPad running at least iOS 8.1, that’s all you need to send and receive SMS messages on your iPad. Even if you’re using an iPad, people will see those messages as if they were on your iPhone.
How to set up your iPhone to send SMS messages from your iPad
The weird part about this setup is that you do it on an iPhone, not an iPad. When you think about it, this makes sense. Your iPhone is forwarding messages to and from iPad. For this feature to work, your iPhone and iPad need to have the same iCloud account setup on their devices.
On your iPhone, go to Settings -> Messages. In the middle of the screen, you’ll see Text Message Forwarding. Tap that setting and you’ll see a list of potential devices that can forward the message.
I’ve got two Macs configured for SMS’ through the Messages app. Apple sets the target (Mac) so you know these are MacOS systems. The device in the middle is an iPad and I have Text Message Forwarding turned off.
Not sure how to set up your Mac for SMS? Check out our guide.
When I turn it on, Apple sends a code to my iPad that I need to enter on my iPhone. It is for security reasons. Once you enter that code, an SMS message will show up on both your iPhone and iPad. You can then reply to them just like any other message.
Limitations and warnings when using Continuity SMS Relay on iPad
Since your iPhone is forwarding messages, it needs to be turned on and connected to a cellular network. For example, if your iPhone is in Airplane mode, SMS forwarding won’t work. That’s a silly thing when you’re on a plane. You may have a data connection, but unless your phone has a cellular gallery, you won’t have forwarding.
iPhone and iPad don’t need to be near each other or on the same WiFi network. However, your iPad needs to be connected to the Internet. This connection can be through a wireless connection or a mobile data connection. If you use your data connection and have a data limit, texting will count towards your data plan, not your messaging plan. If you receive a lot of text messages with attachments, you may want to disable this feature.
Best Alternative for Non-iPhone Users: Google Voice
Google Voice is free and gives you a dedicated phone number. That number can receive phone calls and text messages. Phone calls won’t work from iPad but text messages will. Their Google Voice app works on iPads but is designed for the iPhone screen. When you receive a text message to your Google Voice number, you can reply from the app or from email.
Want the Google Voice app for iPad?: Try GV Connect. It costs $2.99 but is fully optimized for iPad.
Other iPad Apps for SMS/MMS
I have tried some of these alternative apps. They give you a phone number and the app acts as a gateway to your iPad. FreeTone and nextplus work great not only for text messaging but also for phone calls. You get a few free messages to sign up for. You can then pay a monthly subscription, buy a message group, or view ads/reply to offers to get more free credits. I don’t like this option with some other phones; that’s why I want to keep it in Google Voice.
Try WhatsApp: It’s a useful alternative to Messages and we’ve compared the two.
Just because you’re on an iPad doesn’t mean you have to miss out on text chats.
Categories: How to
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