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I can send text messages from my iPhone but not my iPad to Samsung devices. No issues sending to other Apple devices from either. What is causing this?

I am unable to send text messages from my iPad to Samsung devices anymore. I have changed nothing, but they will only go through if sent from my iPhone. Any suggestions?

iPad Air, iPadOS 14

Posted on May 17, 2021 5:01 PM

Reply
7 replies

May 17, 2021 5:33 PM in response to AmyWaite

Your iPad is not a cellular telephone. It has no capability of sending or receiving SMS text messages to/from cellular telephones. Since you apparently have an iPhone, you may use that iPhone in conjunction with your iPad to accomplish this as follows:

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

May 18, 2021 4:20 AM in response to AmyWaite

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


More information:

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


Fault finding if needed:

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


I hope you find this to helpful in resolving the issue.

May 17, 2021 6:20 PM in response to sberman

i have always been able to text from my iPad. Text messaging is enabled. The issue started last week when I tried to send a text to my son (he has a Samsung) while I was out of the country (not sure if that has any relevance) and it failed. I was able to send texts to him from my phone. We are back and I still cannot send from my iPad to Samsung devices but I can send texts from my iPad to other Apple devices.

May 17, 2021 6:28 PM in response to AmyWaite

AmyWaite wrote:

i have always been able to text from my iPad.

You have never been able to text (to a non-Apple cellular telephone) from your iPad without using your iPhone in a Handoff mode. It is not possible. Yes, your iPad uses iMessage to communicate to other Apple devices autonomously.


Read the article I linked above to enable Handoff using your iPhone to facilitate the iPad’s texting.

I can send text messages from my iPhone but not my iPad to Samsung devices. No issues sending to other Apple devices from either. What is causing this?

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