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    How to Set Up Texting on Your iPad With iMessage

    Your iPad can send and receive text messages to other Apple users through iMessage — and even regular SMS texts if your iPhone is nearby. Here is how to set it up.

    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Sign in to iMessage on Your iPad

    ~15s
    On your iPad, go to SettingsMessages. Make sure the "iMessage" toggle is turned on (green). Below that, check that your Apple ID email address appears under "Send & Receive." If not, tap it and sign in with your Apple ID.
    2

    Add Your Phone Number (If Available)

    ~24s
    Under "Send & Receive," you may see an option to add your phone number. Tap "Add an Email or Phone Number" and enter your phone number. Apple sends a verification code — enter it to confirm. Now people can reach you on iPad using your phone number.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Make sure both your iPhone and iPad are signed into the same Apple ID so your message history syncs across both devices.

    3

    Enable SMS Text Forwarding (Optional)

    ~25s
    To also receive regular SMS texts (green bubbles from Android users) on your iPad: open your iPhone, go to SettingsMessagesText Message Forwarding. You will see a list of your Apple devices. Toggle on your iPad. Your iPad may display a code — enter that code on your iPhone to confirm.

    Warning

    Your iPhone must be on and nearby (same Wi-Fi network) for SMS forwarding to work. iMessage works independently even without your iPhone.

    4

    Send Your First Message

    ~18s
    Open the Messages app on your iPad. Tap the compose button (pencil icon, top right). Type a name or phone number in the "To" field. Type your message and tap the blue send button. If the button is green, you are sending an SMS; if it is blue, it is going as an iMessage.
    5

    Adjust Notification Settings

    ~15s
    Go to SettingsNotificationsMessages. Make sure "Allow Notifications" is on. Choose whether to show alerts on the lock screen and whether to play a sound when messages arrive. This keeps you from missing important messages when the iPad is nearby.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Set Up Texting on Your iPad With iMessage

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Your iPad can do more than just browse the web and watch videos — it can also send and receive messages. The Messages app on iPad works in two ways: iMessage and SMS text forwarding.

    iMessage works between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). When you send a message to another Apple user, it goes as an iMessage (blue bubble) over Wi-Fi or data — no cell plan needed. This means you can text family and friends from your iPad as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi.

    SMS text forwarding is different. With this feature, your iPad piggybacks on your iPhone's cellular connection to send and receive regular green-bubble text messages — the kind you send to non-Apple users. Both your iPad and iPhone need to be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Apple ID for this to work.

    If you only have an iPad (no iPhone), you can still use iMessage with other Apple users. You will not be able to send regular SMS texts to Android phones, but many families communicate primarily through iMessage, making this very workable.

    Setting up iMessage on iPad takes about two minutes and just requires your Apple ID.

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    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Set Up Texting on Your iPad With iMessage — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure