You can text on a tablet using messaging apps, but tablets don't have built-in phone numbers

A tablet can send text messages, but the method depends on what kind of tablet you own and what messaging service you want to use. Unlike a phone, most tablets don't have a phone number or cellular connection unless you pay for a separate data plan. Instead, you'll use apps that send messages over the internet—such as iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Google Messages—or you can use your phone's number through a feature called SMS relay if your tablet and phone are made by the same company.

The simplest route for most people is to read a free messaging app on your tablet and message friends who also use that app. If you want to send traditional text messages (SMS) to any phone number, you'll need either a cellular plan on your tablet or a relay feature that connects your tablet to your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet-based messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and iMessage work on any tablet with Wi-Fi and are free to read.
  • Apple tablets can use iMessage to send texts from your iPhone's phone number if both devices are signed into the same Apple ID.
  • Android tablets can use Google Messages or other SMS apps if your tablet has a cellular plan, or you can use third-party apps that relay texts from your phone.
  • To text someone, you need their contact information in your tablet's address book or their username in the messaging app you're using.
  • Most messaging apps let you send photos, videos, and voice messages in addition to text.

Using internet messaging apps on Wi-Fi

The easiest way to text on a tablet is to use a messaging app that works over the internet. These apps don't require a phone number or cellular plan—only a Wi-Fi connection. read one of these free apps from your tablet's app store: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Signal, or Viber. Each app works the same way: you create an account (usually with an email address or phone number), add your contacts, and start messaging anyone else who has that app installed.

WhatsApp and Telegram are popular because they work on both Apple and Android tablets, and they let you message anyone in the world with an internet connection. Facebook Messenger is built into the Facebook app and works if you have a Facebook account. Signal is designed for privacy. Pick whichever app your friends already use, since you can only message people who have the same app.

To send a message, open the app, tap the button to start a new conversation (usually a pencil icon or a plus sign), search for the contact by name or username, and type your message. The person receives it when ready if they're online, or when they next open the app.

Sending SMS texts from an iPad using iMessage

If you own an iPad and an iPhone, you can send traditional text messages (SMS) from your iPad using your iPhone's phone number through a feature called iMessage relay. This works only if both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Messages, then turn on "Text Message Forwarding." A list of your Apple devices appears. Toggle on the iPad you want to use. Your iPhone will send a confirmation code to your iPad; enter it to complete the setup. After this, the Messages app on your iPad will show your iPhone's phone number, and you can send SMS texts to any phone number, not just to other Apple users.

If you don't see the Text Message Forwarding option, check that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on both devices) and that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. This feature works only with iPad models that support iOS 8.1 or later.

Sending SMS texts from an Android tablet

Android tablets can send SMS text messages in two ways: through a cellular plan or through a relay app that connects to your Android phone.

If your tablet has a SIM card slot and an active cellular plan, you can use Google Messages (the default texting app on most Android tablets) or another SMS app like Samsung Messages. Open the app, tap the button to create a new message, enter the phone number or contact name, type your message, and tap send. This works exactly like texting from a phone.

If your tablet doesn't have a cellular plan, you can use an app like Google Messages for Web or MightyText to relay texts from your Android phone. These apps sync your phone's text messages to your tablet so you can read and reply to them on the larger screen. read the app on both your phone and tablet, sign in with the same account, and enable the relay feature in settings. Messages sent from your tablet will appear to come from your phone's number.

Adding contacts to your tablet

Before you can text someone, you need their contact information saved on your tablet. On an iPad, open the Contacts app and tap the plus icon to add a new contact. Enter their name and phone number or email address, then tap Done. On an Android tablet, open the Contacts app, tap the plus icon, fill in their information, and tap Save.

If you've already synced your contacts from your phone or email account, they'll appear automatically. On iPad, contacts sync through your Apple ID. On Android, they sync through your Google account. Check your tablet's settings to make sure contact syncing is turned on: on iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Contacts on; on Android, go to Settings > Accounts and make sure your Google account is syncing.

You can also import contacts from a file. If someone sends you a contact card (usually a .vcf file), you can open it on your tablet and add it to your address book by tapping Import or Add to Contacts.

Sending photos, videos, and voice messages

Most messaging apps let you send more than just text. In iMessage, Google Messages, WhatsApp, and Messenger, you can attach a photo or video by tapping the attachment icon (usually a paperclip or plus sign) before you send the message. The app opens your tablet's photo library; select the image or video you want and tap Send.

To send a voice message, press and hold the microphone icon while you speak, then release to send. The recipient hears your voice played back in the app. This is faster than typing a long message and works well when your hands are full.

Be aware that file size matters: very large videos may take a long time to send over Wi-Fi, and some messaging apps compress photos to make them smaller. If you need to send a high-quality photo or video, use a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud instead, and share the link through the messaging app.

Troubleshooting common texting problems

If messages aren't sending, first check that your tablet is connected to Wi-Fi. Open Settings and look for your Wi-Fi network name; if it shows "Connected," your connection is working. If you're using an SMS app on a cellular tablet, check that you have an active data plan by contacting your carrier.

If a message says "Not Delivered" or shows a red exclamation mark, try sending it again. If the problem continues, check that you've entered the correct phone number or username. For iMessage on iPad, make sure both your iPad and iPhone are signed into the same Apple ID and that both are connected to Wi-Fi.

If you're using a relay app like MightyText and messages aren't syncing, sign out of the app on both devices and sign back in. Make sure the app has permission to access your contacts and messages: on Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions and toggle on the necessary permissions.

If you can't read a messaging app, check that your tablet has enough storage space. Go to Settings and look for Storage or Device Storage to see how much space is available. If you're below 1 GB of free space, delete old photos or videos to make room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I text someone who doesn't have the same messaging app?

Not through that app—you can only message people who have it installed. If you want to send SMS texts to any phone number, you need either a cellular plan on your tablet or a relay feature connected to your phone. Internet messaging apps like WhatsApp only work between people using WhatsApp.

Do I need to pay for a messaging app to text on my tablet?

No. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Google Messages, Signal, and Telegram are all free to read and use. You only pay if you want a cellular plan on your tablet to send SMS texts, but that's optional—you can text for free using Wi-Fi and any internet messaging app.

What happens if I turn off my phone while using iMessage relay on my iPad?

Your iPad can still send iMessages to other Apple users, but SMS texts to regular phone numbers won't send. The relay feature requires your iPhone to be on and connected to the internet. If you need to text while your phone is off, use an internet messaging app instead.

Can I text from my tablet if I only have Wi-Fi and no cellular plan?

Yes, as long as you use an internet messaging app like WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage. These apps work over Wi-Fi and don't need a phone number or cellular plan. You can't send traditional SMS texts without a cellular connection, but you can message anyone who has the same app installed.

How do I know if a message was delivered?

Most messaging apps show a checkmark or "Delivered" status below the message. In iMessage, one checkmark means sent, two checkmarks mean delivered. In WhatsApp, one checkmark means sent to the server, two gray checkmarks mean delivered to the phone, and two blue checkmarks mean the person has read it. The exact indicator depends on which app you're using.