In iPadOS 16.4.1, I can no longer text non-Apple devices. Are other people experiencing this, too?

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad? If exchanging messages with Android or non-Apple devices, you’ll need to use SMS/MMS messaging.

An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.

However, when paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features.

More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:

Continuity

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support

SMS/MMS Messaging

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

If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages (green bubbles) from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...

On your iPhone, verify these settings:

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

I too cannot send sms text to android users from 16.4.1. I didn’t understand the data sim thing so I tried the path you provided but I don’t see any thing that says “messages” on or off.

can you help?

I have an iPad mini 6

You’re very welcome. I’m delighted that the problem was easily identified and resolved.

👍

texting In third party apps like WhatsApp does work for Android devices but sorry I cannot help with texting in iMessages

I read this thread this morning. Yesterday was quite frustrating as Texts were no longer received or sent to/from my iPad. Thank you, everything is back to normal.

I’m delighted that you found this post - and the solution - that resolved your problem.

Follow up to my last post: I don’t have iCloud backup turned on does this matter?

Never mind I found the settings you stated and got it to work.

Thanks so much!