Can an iPad with Cellular Send SMS? Understanding iMessages and Text Forwarding

Discover how to send SMS on an iPad with cellular capabilities using iMessage and iPhone text forwarding.

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iPads with cellular capability can’t send traditional SMS directly through a cellular network like a phone. However, they can use iMessage to send messages to other Apple devices if connected to the Internet. To send regular SMS/MMS messages, you'll need to have a compatible iPhone nearby and enable the Text Message Forwarding feature on your iPhone. This setup allows your iPad to use the iPhone's network for sending SMS. Make sure both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Can I send SMS from my iPad with cellular capability? No, iPads with cellular capability cannot send traditional SMS directly. Instead, they can use iMessage to communicate with other Apple devices if connected to the Internet.
  2. How can I send SMS from my iPad? To send regular SMS or MMS messages from your iPad, you need to have a nearby compatible iPhone with Text Message Forwarding enabled. This allows the iPad to use the iPhone's cellular network.
  3. Do both devices need to be logged into the same Apple ID? Yes, both your iPad and iPhone must be signed in with the same Apple ID for Text Message Forwarding to work.
  4. What is iMessage and how does it work on iPad? iMessage is an Apple messaging service that allows users to send messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data to other Apple devices. It functions independently of traditional SMS.