You’re sitting there with a brand-new iPad Pro or maybe an old Mini you found in a drawer, and you realize something annoying. You can’t find the "Phone" app. It’s just not there. Apple makes it incredibly easy to FaceTime or email, but when you actually want to know how do you send text messages on iPad, things get a little murky. It isn't always as simple as opening the Messages app and typing.
If you’ve ever tried to text a friend who uses Android from your iPad, you’ve probably seen that dreaded red exclamation point. Or maybe the "Send" button is greyed out. It’s frustrating. Most people think an iPad is just a giant iPhone, but when it comes to SMS, it’s a completely different beast.
The reality is that your iPad is fundamentally a data device. Whether you have the Wi-Fi model or the Cellular version, it doesn't "talk" to cell towers the same way a phone does for traditional texting. But don't worry. You can absolutely turn that slab of glass into a texting machine. You just need to know which toggle to flip.
Why your iPad won't text "Green Bubbles" by default
Here is the thing. Apple uses two different systems inside that one "Messages" app. You’ve got iMessage, which is Apple’s proprietary service. This sends data over Wi-Fi or LTE to other iPhones, Macs, and iPads. These are the blue bubbles. They work out of the box.
Then you have SMS and MMS. These are the green bubbles. These are ancient protocols that rely on a cellular voice network. Since iPads don't have a native dialer or a standard phone number attached to a telephony plan, they can't send these on their own. Even if you have a "Cellular" iPad, that SIM card is usually for data only. It doesn't have a "line" for texting.
To bridge this gap, you have to use a feature Apple calls Text Message Forwarding. This basically treats your iPhone as a relay station. When you hit send on your iPad, it bounces the signal to your iPhone, which then sends the actual SMS to your Android-using friends.
Setting up the handshake between devices
First, you need to make sure both devices are signed into the exact same Apple ID. This is non-negotiable. If your iPad is on your work ID and your phone is on your personal one, they won't talk to each other. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and double-check.
Once you've confirmed that, grab your iPhone.
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Go to Settings > Messages. Look for the section labeled "Text Message Forwarding." When you tap that, you should see your iPad listed there. Toggle that switch to the "On" position. Sometimes, a code will pop up on your iPad screen that you have to type into your phone. It’s a security thing to make sure some random person isn't hijacking your texts.
Honestly, it’s kind of a "set it and forget it" situation. Once that toggle is on, your iPad will behave exactly like your phone. You’ll get the green bubbles, the group chats with your cousin who refuses to leave 2012, and all the verification codes from your bank.
What if you don't have an iPhone?
This is where it gets tricky. If you are an Android user who bought an iPad because you like the hardware (which is fair, the M4 chips are overkill in the best way), you can't use Apple's forwarding feature.
You aren't totally out of luck, though.
You’ll need to use third-party apps. WhatsApp is the obvious choice for most of the world. For a long time, WhatsApp on iPad was a nightmare of web-browser workarounds, but the "Linked Devices" feature has improved things significantly. You can link your iPad to your Android phone's WhatsApp account, and it works independently.
Then there is Google Voice. If you’re in the US, this is a lifesaver. You get a free "real" phone number. You can download the Google Voice app on your iPad and send SMS to anyone, anywhere, for free. It doesn't care if they have an iPhone or an Android. It’s a solid workaround for people who want a dedicated "iPad number."
The "Send & Receive" settings glitch
Sometimes, you do everything right and it still fails. I've seen this happen a dozen times. You go to send a message on the iPad and it says "Account Not Registered."
Check your "Send & Receive" settings.
On your iPad, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Look at the list of emails and phone numbers. If your phone number isn't checked, or if it isn't even showing up, your iPad doesn't know it's allowed to use that identity. Usually, signing out of iMessage on the iPad, restarting the device (the old "turn it off and on again" trick), and signing back in forces the system to refresh its list of aliases.
Managing the clutter of multiple devices
Once you figure out how do you send text messages on iPad, you might realize you’ve created a monster. Now your iPad, your iPhone, and maybe your Mac are all chiming at the same time. It’s a digital symphony of "pings" that can drive you crazy.
You should probably enable Messages in iCloud.
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In your iCloud settings, make sure "Messages" is toggled on. Why? Because if you delete a spam text on your iPhone, it will disappear from your iPad too. Without this, you’ll find yourself deleting the same "Your UPS package is delayed" scam message on every single device you own. It’s a waste of time.
Also, keep an eye on your storage. If you send a lot of videos or high-res photos from your iPad, that "System Data" or "Messages" storage will balloon. iPads usually have less storage than we think they do once we start downloading movies and games. You can set your messages to auto-delete after 30 days or a year in the Messages settings if you aren't the sentimental type who keeps every text from 2019.
Troubleshooting the "Not Delivered" error
We have all been there. You type a long, thoughtful message, hit send, and after a minute of the progress bar hanging at 90%, it fails.
First, check your Wi-Fi. If your iPad has a weak connection, the "handshake" to your iPhone will fail. If the Wi-Fi is fine, check your iPhone. Is it turned on? Is it connected to the internet? The iPhone doesn't need to be in the same room, or even the same city, as long as both devices have an active internet connection. I’ve sent texts from my iPad in London using my iPhone that was sitting on a charger in New York.
However, if your iPhone is in Airplane Mode or dead, the green-bubble SMS will not go through. iMessages (blue) will still work because they go directly through Apple's servers, but those SMS messages need that active cellular link.
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Using the "Share" sheet for quick texting
A pro tip for iPad power users: you don't always have to open the Messages app.
If you are browsing Safari or looking at a photo, tap that little square with the arrow pointing up (the Share Sheet). Your most frequent text contacts will usually show up right at the top. It’s way faster than switching apps, especially if you’re using Stage Manager or Split View and don't want to mess up your window layout.
Actionable steps to get texting right now
To wrap this up and get you moving, follow this specific sequence to ensure everything is synced correctly:
- Verify the Apple ID: Ensure both iPhone and iPad are on the same account in Settings.
- Enable iCloud Messages: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Show All and make sure Messages is "On."
- The iPhone Bridge: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and enable your iPad.
- Check the Alias: On your iPad, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and ensure your phone number has a checkmark next to it.
- Test the Green: Try texting someone who doesn't have an iPhone. If it goes through, you're golden.
If you are strictly an iPad user with no iPhone, your best bet is downloading a VoIP app like Google Voice or TextNow to get a virtual number that handles SMS via data. Stop trying to make the native app work for SMS without an iPhone—it's a hardware limitation that software toggles can't fix. Get your settings synced up, and you'll never have to reach for your phone across the room again.