Can you text Non iPhone users from Mac? (2023)

Can I text a non iPhone from my Mac?

Yes, you can send SMS messages from your Mac to non-Apple phones. Here is a direct quote from two Support Articles. Your Mac can receive and send SMS and MMS text messages through your iPhone when you set up text message forwarding.

The answer is Yes. Mac comes preloaded with the Messages app that lets you send iMessage as well as traditional texts. That is, you can send messages to both iPhone and Android from the comfort of your Mac. Use the built-in Messages app to send unlimited messages from Mac to Android.

As long as you're signed into the same Apple ID on your iPhone and your Mac, you'll be able to send and receive those blue-bubbled iMessages from your computer's Messages app. But to send and receive those standard, green-bubbled SMS messages, make sure your phone's text message forwarding feature is on.

The reason you're not able to send to non-iPhone users is that they don't use iMessage. It sounds like your regular (or SMS) text messaging isn't working, and all your messages are going out as iMessages to other iPhones. When you try to send a message to another phone that doesn't use iMessage, it won't go through.

iMessage is from Apple and it only works between Apple Devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. If you use the Messages app to send a message to a non-apple device, it will be send as a SMS instead. If you cannot send a SMS, you can also use a third-party messenger like FB Messenger or WhatsApp.

When you send a message to someone who uses a phone other than an iPhone, your message is sent as an SMS message. Important: To receive and send SMS and MMS messages on your Mac, your iPhone must have iOS 8.1 or later, and your iPhone and Mac must be signed in to iMessage using the same Apple ID.

But because the platforms aren't compatible, text messages between iPhones and Androids revert to regular, outdated text messages.

Send a message

Click the New Message button at the top of the Messages window. Type the name, email address, or phone number of one or more recipients. Or click the Add button and choose from your contacts. Press Tab or click the message field at the bottom of the window, then type your message.

Why can't I send SMS from my Mac?

Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. To check your Internet connection, try loading a page in Safari or another web browser. Check that the date and time is set correctly on your Mac. Make sure that you enter the correct phone number or email address for the contact.

Yes, there are many ways to send a text message from the computer including through email, iMessage, Android Messages, using a wireless carrier's website, using a free SMS website, online texting platforms, Google Voice, and from a streamlined VoIP solution like OpenPhone.

Enable port forwarding on your device so that it can connect to your smartphone directly through Wi-Fi (the application will tell you how to do this). Install the AirMessage app on your Android device. Open the app and enter your server's address and password. Send your first iMessage with your Android device!

You can use iMessage on your Mac by signing into your Apple ID account. Once you're signed in, you can send and receive iMessages from your Mac's Messages app. Any iMessage you send or receive on your Mac will appear on your iPhone or iPad too.

iMessage is not available to non-Apple iPhones! iMessage only works between Apple devices!

You are not able to receive text messages from iPhone maybe because the texts are sent as iMessage. This can occur if you have transferred your iPhone SIM Card to the non-iPhone device without turning off iMessage. Thus, in that case, all you can do is deregister iMessage.

Sending SMS Over WiFi with iPhones

You need a SIM card with a phone number and a subscription to the cellular network to use the SMS service. You may send texts to non-Apple users via the SMS service. In this case, it doesn't matter whether or not they use Apple products.

If you get text messages from other Android devices but not from iPhones, the most likely culprit is that your phone number is registered as an iPhone in Apple's database. If so, incoming iPhone messages are sent as iMessages, which your Android phone can't process — so you get nothing.

Send anonymous texts with a smartphone app

Both Google Play and the iOS App Store also have plenty of apps from which you can do some anonymous texting. They include Text Me, Text Free, TextNow, and textPlus. Typically, you can send and receive texts from a number the app assigns you.

If you're not using iMessage, you can use SMS/MMS. These messages are texts and photos that you can send to other mobile phones or another iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. SMS/MMS messages won't be encrypted and will appear in green text bubbles on your device. To use SMS/MMS on iPhone, you'll need a text messaging plan.

Can I text Non iPhone users from my iPad?

Tap the toggle switch beside your iPad to enable Text Message Forwarding for it. You are prompted to type a code on the iPad to activate the feature. After you type the code, your iPad can send text messages to both iPhone users and non-iPhone users.

Go to Settings > Messages, turn off iMessage, 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.

If you have an Apple ID, you can use iMessage—a secure messaging service—to send unlimited messages to anyone who has an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Messages sent using iMessage appear in blue text bubbles.

As long as you're signed into the same Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad, for that matter, and your Mac, you'll be able to send and receive those blue-bubbled iMessages from your computer's Messages app.