I only get the option to add a email, why is this?
I want to change it to a phone number to get messages on my iPad and iPhone
iPad, iPadOS 13
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If you are struggling with the native Messages App (?) and cannot send SMS/MMS (Text) messages to cellular phone numbers, this is because SMS/MMS are a Cellular Carrier feature. Your iPad is not an iPhone - and lacks the native ability to send or receive SMS/MMS.
If you have an iPhone that is logged-in to iCloud with the same AppleID, you can use Apple’s Continuity features to access and forward SMS/MMS messages via the iPhone.
More details about setup of Continuity and Text Messaging here:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204681
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208386
I hope this clarification is helpful to you - and, if you have an iPhone, resolves the problem.