Texting android phones from ipad.

[Starzz]

Hi, I know a few dinosaurs who use android phones. I am unable to message them from my ipad. iphone is ok. I find this extremely annoying! it’s so much easier to text on an ipad!
any clues on why this is so, or work arounds?

 

[ferrarr]

You need to set up your devices properly. See this article for help.

Send and reply to messages on iPad

In Messages on iPad, send and reply to text messages through iMessage or SMS/MMS services.

support.apple.com

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Does your iPad have a cellular connection or just WiFi. If only the latter, it will automatically be able to talk to other Apple devices through Messages using Apple's infrastructure. To talk to Android devices, it has to use SMS which requires a cell connection or forwarding from your iPhone to the iPad so that you can text from there.

This is no different than using your Mac to text someone on an Android phone.

 

[Starzz]

Does your iPad have a cellular connection or just WiFi. If only the latter, it will automatically be able to talk to other Apple devices through Messages using Apple's infrastructure. To talk to Android devices, it has to use SMS which requires a cell connection or forwarding from your iPhone to the iPad so that you can text from there.

This is no different than using your Mac to text someone on an Android phone.

My ipad does have cellular and wifi, yet when I send an SMS via the ipad to an android phone, it never goes through.

 

[Starzz]

You need to set up your devices properly. See this article for help.

Send and reply to messages on iPad

In Messages on iPad, send and reply to text messages through iMessage or SMS/MMS services.

support.apple.com

All pretty basic. I do that. It doesn’t work sending texts to android phones.
How embarrassment! I’ve just checked again and I was sending to a landline! Didn’t check to make sure the mobile number was selected. ‍

 

[IWT]

How embarrassment! I’ve just checked again and I was sending to a landline! Didn’t check to make sure the mobile number was selected

Thank you for your candid honesty. You are not alone, Starzz. The number of gaffes I've made on these forums is testament to how understanding our members are.

Ian

 

[Horsa]

Re. sending texts to landlines: it can work! Depending on what kind of contract the recipient has with their landline provider (and assuming they haven't given up plugging an actual phone into it and answering when it rings - I know... sooo 20th Century!), it's possible for an SMS message to be collected by the landline provider and delivered as a phone call, using a text-to-speech engine. I can remember occasionally getting these wierd robotic voice-message calls until quite recently when I unplugged all my phones. I'm in the UK, BTW - it was a BT service.

 

[Slydude]

All pretty basic. I do that. It doesn’t work sending texts to android phones.
How embarrassment! I’ve just checked again and I was sending to a landline! Didn’t check to make sure the mobile number was selected. ‍

Been there. Done that. So glad I'm not the only one.

 

[chscag]

I know... sooo 20th Century!), it's possible for an SMS message to be collected by the landline provider and delivered as a phone call, using a text-to-speech engine.

We routinely receive text messages by voice, however, it's on our iPhones only. We do not have a landline but that particular service is available from most carriers here in the US. There are also special landline phones available for persons who have hearing problems.

 

[Mac Man 2007]

The method I use to send a text from my computer to an android phone is the following. Ex: If I am sending text to a Verizon phone I put in the address in an email as "phone number @vtext.com". That person will received it as a message and if they return it to you, then you will receive it as an email.
Different carriers can be looked up. Another example is A&T
phone number @txt.att.net.

 

[chscag]

The easiest way is to use SMS from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You do not need to use other methods provided the Android owner is up and running.

Or, if you and your Android owner has an account on "WhatsApp" that's even easier.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

Is VOIP considered "landline" or is landlines only for the old hard wired phone lines?

 

[IWT]

Is VOIP considered "landline" or is landlines only for the old hard wired phone lines?

No. VoIP is a type of telephony that uses an internet connection instead of a traditional landline.

See here for more info:

VoIP vs. Landline: Which is Better for Your Business Telecoms?

Every year, a steady stream of individuals are bypassing the use of landlines in favour of online or mobile connections. The business telecoms world is

smarterbusiness.co.uk

Ian

 

[chscag]

It should be noted that most cable providers also offer VoIP as an option when you choose to open an account with them.

VoIP = Voice over Internet Protocol

Keep in mind that if your internet connection is down for one reason or another, so is your VoIP phone. However, using the internet as a medium for making calls can be a real money saver if for instance you make a lot of calls internationally.

 

[Bill Gates Jr.]

VOIP is what I have here in Las Vegas for my home phone. Having previously had a real landline in Hawaii, the question is how do I refer to my Home phone connection? VOIP may not be understandable to some. And I hate to get into a long winded conversation explaining the difference , so I just say landline. I know that is incorrect, but the difference would be lost on most people I believe.

 

[chscag]

VOIP may not be understandable to some. And I hate to get into a long winded conversation explaining the difference , so I just say landline. I know that is incorrect, but the difference would be lost on most people I believe.

That's fine. Most folks don't care whether your contact number is a landline or mobile phone, as long as they can call you.

Most cable providers will throw in a VoIP phone connection as part of their "bundle" package. So it can be a good way to save money if you do a lot of calling outside of the US.