Texting non Apple users from my iMac

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Level 1

32 points

Texting non Apple users from my iMac

I'm trying to send texts from my iMac using Messages to people who don't use an iPhone. I've tried to follow the directions from Apple about forwarding texts but I don't see all the things they mention.. When I type in a phone number in Messages for someone who doesn't have an iPhone, I get a pop up that says it can't be sent because the number is not registered with Messages. I have iOS 16.4.1 on my iPhone 11 and MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 on my iMac.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 16, 2023 9:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ghe Author

Level 1

32 points

Apr 16, 2023 3:20 PM in response to ghe

I've finally got it. The problem was my cell phone service was down and I didn't realize it. So without that the "sharing" button didn't show up in Settings. Now that I've got the service resolved, it's working fine. Thanks again for your help!

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Answer 2

Apr 16, 2023 10:33 AM in response to ghe

Quick summary of the most relevant points your issue:

1) Only a “phone” on a mobile carrier’s network can send SMS Text Messages.

2) A Mac is not a phone.

Now … if you DO have an iPhone, you can configure a Mac to send SMS “via your iPhone”

If you’re missing any of these pieces - and you aren’t - any instructions would be N/A.

Hopefully, this puts things in context.

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Answer 3

Apr 16, 2023 1:14 PM in response to ghe

Sure!

I’m “out” and don’t have access to my Mac … but for starters … see if these instructions help:

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad – Apple Support (AU)

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Answer 4

ghe Author

Level 1

32 points

Apr 16, 2023 12:04 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Thanks. I do have an iPhone but the instructions for configuring my iMac to send SMS via the iPhone are what I cannot figure out because some of the things they say to do I don't see on either my computer or my iPhone.

Can you help me with that?

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Answer 5

ghe Author

Level 1

32 points

Apr 16, 2023 1:45 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Thanks again. But that's where I have run into trouble before. When I try the first step (Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding), there is no Text Message Forwarding displayed. And the instructions for what to do when that happens (If you can't see Text Message Forwarding, go to Settings > Messages. Turn off iMessage, then turn it back on. Tap Send & Receive, tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage, then sign in with the same Apple ID used on your other devices.) there is no "Use Your Apple ID for iMessage" to tap. What it shows is "You can receive iMessages to and reply from [my phone number and my gmail address]"

Thoughts?

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Answer 6

Apr 17, 2023 3:44 AM in response to ghe

That’s great news, thanks for the followup.

That’s not an uncommon feature in Apple OSs …

… i.e. if a particular feature is not actually available “right now” … it’s associated settings don’t necessarily display.

Glad you’ve got it sorted … AND now have a better understanding of it’s functionality as well. 👍

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Answer 7

oza97

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2023 3:49 AM in response to ghe

aso

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Texting non Apple users from my iMac

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