One really cool feature of the iPad is the ability to route a text message through your iPhone. This allows you to text people from your iPad even if they have an Android smartphone or a "dumb" phone without any smart features at all. The iPad uses a feature called continuity to route the message through the cloud to your iPhone and then to the person you are trying to text.
Even if you don't have an iPhone, there are a few ways you can send a text message to a friend using your iPad. But first, we'll take a look at setting up the text forwarding feature on the iPhone.
- First, go into your iPhone's settings. You can launch settings by using Spotlight Search on your iPhone. (It's the same as Spotlight Search on the iPad.)
- Next, scroll down the menu and tap Messages. It is the option just under Phone.
- In the Messages settings, tap Text Message Forwarding.
- This screen will list all of the Apple devices you own that can use the continuity feature. Tap the button out to the side of your iPad to enable Text Message Forwarding for it.
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Quick Tip: Use iMessage on an iPhone
- You will be prompted to type in a code on your iPad to turn on the feature. Once you type in the code, your iPad will be able to send text messages to both iPhone users and non-iPhone users.
You will need to be on at least iOS 8.1 on both devices to use this feature, so make sure you have upgraded to the latest operating system. Most iPads should be able to use this feature, but if you have the original iPad, you won't be able to upgrade to the version of iOS needed to use continuity.
How to Text on Your iPad If You Don't Own an iPhone
All is not lost if you don't own an iPhone. There are still a few ways you can use your iPad or sending text messages.
- iMessage. The Messages app can send text messages to anyone that owns an iPhone or iPad even if you don't own an iPhone. The iPad does this using your Apple ID and routes the message based on the email address associated with your Apple ID account. If the recipient doesn't own an iPhone but owns an iPad, they will need to have this feature turned on in settings as well. You can turn this feature on by going to the Settings app, choosing Messages from the left-side menu and tapping "Send & Receive". The iPad will list the email accounts associated with your Apple ID. Tap to put a check mark next to the email address(es) you want to use.
- Skype. The leading Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) service, Skype allows you to use your iPad much like a phone. In addition to sending text messages, you can send video messages, place phone calls and video conference using the software. If you want to stay in touch with someone and can't use iMessage or FaceTime because they don't own an iPhone or iPad, Skype is the best alternative.
- Free Texting Apps. FreeTone (formerly Text Me) and textPlus both offer free texting to iPad users. It offers users a free phone number capable of sending SMS messages to the US, Canada and 40 other countries around the world. And textPlus is also a great option. Both apps allow phone calls in addition to text messages, but you may need to pay for in-app purchases to use all of their features.
