As I read the posts on this subject, it looks as though there is no tweak or setting on my brand new iPad to let me respond to texts from my daughter who uses an android phone. Doggone it, Apple!
iPad mini (6th generation)
SMS/MMS texts require use of a cellular phone (that is an industry-wide requirement, not an Apple requirement).
If you have an iPhone in addition to the the iPad, you can send SMS/MMS texts from the iPad through the iPhone. See: Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support
SMS/MMS texts require use of a cellular phone (that is an industry-wide requirement, not an Apple requirement).
If you have an iPhone in addition to the the iPad, you can send SMS/MMS texts from the iPad through the iPhone. See: Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support
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
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:
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
Not by itself, no. But, you can text using your iPad through your iPhone.
Check your iPhone's Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding
Turning on your iPad will allow you to text using your phone. Otherwise, you're only receiving iMessages.
iPad is Useless for Texting
