How to Add Phone Number to Messages on iPad

iMessage is an amazing feature that lets Apple users enjoy messaging without any cost. Available for iDevices only, including iPad, iMessage syncs with your iCloud and provides a seamless messaging experience to the users. With iMessage, you can easily send/receive messages, photos, and videos via Wi-Fi or cellular data. Besides, iPad is a bigger screen than iPhone and works much better for messaging, so adding phone number to Messages on iPad can make your messaging experience even better. If you are new to using an iPad, we are here to guide you on how to add phone number to Messages on iPad.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Adding Phone Number to Messages on iPad

Although adding a phone number is an easy task, first-time iPad users may struggle with it since the iPad doesn’t have a built-in Phone app like the iPhone. Besides, some people might find it confusing to locate the settings section on the iPad.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before you proceed, make sure the following requirements are met:

• Your iPad is updated to the latest iOS version.
• You have an active iMessage account.
• The phone number you want to add is associated with the SIM card on your iPad or is registered with Apple

Method 1: Adding Phone Number Via iCloud

Adding phone numbers to use it for iMessage is easier on the iPhone, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible on the iPad. Follow these simple steps to register your phone number via iCloud:

1. Go to your settings app on your iPad Home screen.
2. Tap on your Apple ID name from the top of the settings page.
3. Click on the iCloud tab from the menu.
4. If you don’t see the ‘Messages’ toggle under the iCloud tab, turn it on.
5. Furthermore, turn on the ‘Send & Receive’ toggle.
6. Now, click on the ‘Use your Apple ID for iMessage’ tab. If you are signed in, you will see your mobile number listed under the ‘You can receive iMessages to and reply from’ section.
7. Otherwise, click on ‘Add an Email’ or ‘Add a Phone Number’ and enter your phone number or email address in the space provided.
8. Verify your phone number by entering the OTP.
9. Finally, exit the screen and return to the main settings page.
10. You should see a message, ‘Your number is now listed in the iMessage Send and Receive section.’

Pros:

• Convenient to use, users can register their phone number with their Apple IDs in a few steps.
• You don’t need to remember different iMessage IDs of people; it is directly synced with Apple IDs and phone numbers.

Cons:

• The method shown may not work if the phone number is not registered with Apple.
• The steps may seem confusing for novice users who are not familiar with using iCloud settings.

Method 2: Adding Phone Number Via Messages App

Another method to add a phone number to Messages on the iPad is to do it via the Messages app. Follow these steps to add your phone number to iMessage.

1. Open the Messages app on your iPad’s Home screen.
2. Tap on the "New Message" icon.
3. Enter a phone number to send a message using that on your keypad that shows up on the bottom right corner of your screen, and hit send.
4. Your message will not be sent yet, but if you have not previously messaged this number, you will see an alert with an option to add the number to the contact.
5. Click on ‘Create New Contact’ and add the details.
6. Finally, leave the chat and go back to your phone book.
7. Now, click on the info icon that appears next to the added number to access more settings.
8. Finally, click on the toggle next to "This iPhone number". You have successfully added your phone number.

Pros:

• Easy to execute. Anyone can add a number using this method.
• Allows you to add more numbers at one time without needing to enter them one by one.

Cons:

• You may have to go through each number separately to ensure all the numbers have been saved in your contacts.
• It may take time to go through steps if you have multiple numbers to add.

Method 3: Adding Phone Number via FaceTime app

If you have made or received FaceTime calls with your phone number, you can add it to iMessage via the FaceTime app. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the FaceTime app on your iPad’s Home screen.
2. At the bottom of the screen, click on "Contacts."
3. Search for the contact you want to message via phone number.
4. Once you find the contact, click on the "i" button on the upper right-hand side of the screen.
5. Click on the box next to "FaceTime."
6. The number is automatically added to iMessage along with the name of the contact that is saved on your iPad

Pros:

• It’s a fast and simple way of registering your phone number.
• If you have an extensive contact list with FaceTime, there is no need to add numbers individually.

Cons:

• If you don’t use FaceTime much, you might not have your phone number associated with–you may have to go through different settings.
• You should have an active internet connection to update the number. Otherwise, the number may not be updated and may not appear on your iPad.

Method 4: Adding Phone Number to iMessage via Siri

Siri can also be used to add a phone number to iMessage. It’s a quick process and is excellent for those Apple users who prefer to navigate via voice commands. Here’s how to do it:

1. Activate Siri and say, “Add my mobile number to iMessage” or "Add phone number to Messages."
2. If Siri needs more information, follow the given instructions carefully.
3. Your number will be added to iMessage, and Siri will confirm it by telling you that the number is now active.

Pros:

• You need not be well-versed with Apple devices or with using Siri; adding your phone number is easy with this method.
• It’s undoubtedly the quickest way to add your phone number to your Contacts list.

Cons:

• You need to activate Siri first.
• Siri may get confused if you have multiple numbers registered with your Apple ID.

Why Can’t I Add Phone Number to Messages on iPad?

Here are some reasons why you may not be able to add the phone number to Messages on your iPad:

Reason 1: iCloud not enabled on your iPad

Solution: Go to Settings> Click on your Apple ID, and then click on iCloud. Turn on the toggle for the "Messages" option in iCloud, then go to "Send and Receive" and click on the iMessage phone number.

Reason 2: Phone Number not Listed in FaceTime

Solution: Check whether you have used FaceTime with the phone number you wish to add to iMessage. If so, you can add it to iMessage through FaceTime by clicking on the "i" icon next to the person’s name.

Reason 3: No SIM card in your iPad

Solution: If you do not have a SIM card installed on your iPad, add the phone number to iMessage using another method that does not depend on the SIM card, such as the iCloud or FaceTime methods.

Additional Tips

Here are additional tips to help you with adding a phone number to your Messages on the iPad:

Tip 1: Check iCloud Settings

Check your iCloud settings and ensure that you have enabled the iMessage feature under the "Messages" option.

Tip 2: Use the Right iCloud Account

Ensure that you have added your phone number to the right iCloud account, especially if you have more than one device sharing the same iCloud account.

Tip 3:Restart Your iPad

Try restarting your iPad. Sometimes, this will fix problems, such as iMessage (or other features) that aren’t working.

FAQs about Adding Phone Number to Messages on iPad

Q1: Can I remove my phone number from iMessage on my iPad?

A: Yes, you can. To remove your phone number from iMessage on your iPad:

1. Go to your iPad’s settings -> Messages -> Send & Receive.
2. Under the “You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply from,” click on your phone number.
3. Finally, turn off the toggle next to your phone number, and it will remove the number from iMessage.

Q2: Can I use other instant messaging apps on my iPad?

A: Yes, there are various messaging apps available on the App Store that you can use on your iPad.

Q3: I added my phone number to iMessage, but it’s not showing up on my iPad. Why?

A: Check whether the number is associated with the Apple ID that you are using on your iPad. You can also try logging out of iMessage, then signing in again.

Q4: What should I do if I can’t receive messages from my phone number on my iPad?

A: Ensure that iMessage has been turned on with your phone number. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, then choose your phone number under "You Can Be Reached By iMessage At." If you still can’t receive messages, restart or force restart your iPad.

Q5: Do all iPad models support adding phone numbers to Messages?

A: Yes, all iPad models support adding a phone number to their Messages app.

In Conclusion

Adding phone numbers to messages on iPad is important to ensure that you can contact people easily. There are a few methods you can use to achieve this, including adding your number via iCloud, the Messages app, or even Siri. However, if you can’t seem to add your number, check the iCloud settings, ensure the SIM card is installed, use the right iCloud account, or try restarting your iPad. I hope this blog post has provided you with enough guidance and information to add phone numbers to your Messages on the iPad.