How to get SMS text messages on your iPad

Thought your iPhone was the only device that could receive green messages? Try it on your iPad!

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iPad SMS messages

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SMS/MMS relay is part of Apple's Continuity feature. It lets you send and receive standard texts — the "green bubble" kind — through the built-in Messages app on your iPad, just like you've always been able to do on your iPhone. As long as your iPhone and iPad are online and as soon as your iPhone receives an SMS or MMS message, it will relay it through Apple's messaging servers to your iPad.

Continuity SMS/MMS relay requirements

In order for SMS/MMS relay to work, both your iPhone and iPad need to be:

  1. Connected to the internet.
  2. Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account).

Note: Your iPhone and iPad don't have to be on the same network, they just need to be online and able to connect to Apple's servers.

How to enable or disable SMS/MMS relay on your iPhone

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Messages.
  3. Tap on Text Message Forwarding.
Launch the Setting app, tap on Messages, and then tap on Text Message Forwarding.
  1. Turn On the option for forwarding to your iPad.
  2. Wait for your iPad to pop up an authorization code.
  3. Enter the authorization code on your iPhone.
Tap the on/off switch for forwarding to your iPad, wait for your iPad to pop up an authorization code, enter the authorization code.

How to send SMS/MMS on your iPad

Sending SMS/MMS on the Mac is just like sending an iMessage.

  1. Launch the Messages app on your iPad.
  2. Tap on the Compose Message button.
  3. Enter the phone number or name of the contact you want to text.
Launch the Messages app on you iPad, Tap on the Compose Message button, and enter the phone number or contact you want to text.
  1. Type your message.
  2. Hit Send.
Type in your message and hit send.

How to reply to SMS/MMS on your iPad

Receiving SMS/MMS on the iPad is also identical to receiving an iMessage.

Tap on a notification to be taken straight to the Messages app, you can launch the Messages app at anytime to view or reply to an SMS/MMs

  1. Tap on a notification to quick reply or be taken straight to the Messages app.
  2. Launch the Messages app at any time to view or reply to an SMS/MMS.

Great add-ons for iPad

Your iPad could be even more useful with one of our favorite accessories.

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Updated December 2022: Updated for the latest versions of Apple OS.

Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.

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