How to Sync iMessages & Text Messages Between iPhone and iPad

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Use iCloud to sync Messages on both Apple devices

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: June 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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Syncing Messages

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Forwarding

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Troubleshooting

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Video

Do you want to be able to send and receive text messages on both your iPhone and iPad? As long as you're logged into the same Apple Account on both devices and have enabled Messages in iCloud, your iMessages and all other texts (including MMS, RCS, and SMS) will stay in sync on your iPhone and iPad. If you’d rather not use iCloud to sync your messages, or if messages aren’t syncing correctly, you can try turning on Message Forwarding instead. This wikiHow will show you how to sync messages on your iPhone and iPad and how to troubleshoot message syncing problems.

How to Sync Texts on iPhone and iPad

The easiest way is to sync Messages in iCloud. On both devices, open Settings and tap your name. Select iCloud > Messages and toggle on Use on this iPhone/iPad. Alternatively, to save iCloud storage, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Text Message Forwarding on your iPhone and toggle on the switch next to your iPad.

Section 1 of 3:

Sync Messages on iPhone & iPad

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1
Open the Settings
app. This is the grey cog icon.^{[1]
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- Follow these steps on both your iPhone and iPad to sync Messages on both devices.
- Make sure to update your iPhone and update your iPad if you haven't done so.
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Tap your Apple Account. This will be at the very top, next to your profile picture.^{[2]
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- Make sure your iPhone and iPad are signed into the same Apple Account (formerly called Apple ID).
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This will be in the middle of the page, next to a blue cloud icon.^{[3]
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Tap Messages. If you don't see Messages, tap See All next to the Saved to iCloud header.
- If you have Messages turned off, you'll see Off to the right of the app in the list after you tap See All.
You’ll see this option at the top of the page after you tap on Messages.
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Wait for Messages to sync to iCloud. Depending on how many messages you have, this may take some time. Additionally, the number of messages saved depends on your iCloud storage.
- iCloud users are given 5 GB of storage for free. If your messages exceed that amount, you'll need to change your iCloud storage plan.
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Open the Messages app. Your messages should be synced across your iPhone and iPad.
- If there’s a delay, you can force your messages to sync immediately by going to Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Messages and tapping Sync Now.
- If you have a Mac, you can also use the Messages app on your Mac to send and receive messages.

Section 2 of 3:

Forwarding Messages to iPad

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1
Open the Settings app on your iPhone
. If you have iCloud for Messages enabled on all your devices, all your texts should be synced across those devices–even if they were sent by Android users or iPhone users without iMessage enabled. However, if you don’t want your texts taking up space in iCloud, Text Message Forwarding is a good alternative.^{[4]
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- Unlike when syncing iMessages, you'll only need to complete these steps on your iPhone—not your iPad.
- All your devices will need to be logged into the same Apple Account for this to work.
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Tap Apps. It’s at the very bottom of the Settings menu.
- If you’re using iOS 17 or earlier, you’ll find Messages in the main Settings menu.
It’s in the M section of the Apps menu. You can also search for it using the search bar at the top of the screen.
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Tap Text Message Forwarding. You’ll need to scroll down to find it. A list of devices using the same Apple Account will appear. If you don't see the Text Message Forwarding option, follow these steps:^{[5]
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- Turn off "iMessage" by tapping the switch near the top of the menu. Then, toggle the switch back on.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Sign in again with your Apple Account.
- Make sure you are signed in to your iPad with the same Apple Account as your iPhone.
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Toggle on the switch next to your iPad. Now your iPad will always be able to send and receive iMessages, SMS, MMS, and RCS messages.
- Messages will sync to your iPad when it's turned on and connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.^{[6]
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- If the iPad you selected doesn’t have two-factor authentication enabled, a verification code will appear on the iPad. Enter it on your iPhone to continue.
- Note: If message syncing in iCloud is enabled, you won’t be able to turn off text message forwarding to other devices from this menu. You’ll see that forwarding is “On,” but there won’t be a toggle switch to tap.

Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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Adjust your Messages settings. If your iPhone messages aren't appearing on your iPad, make sure your iPad is able to receive messages sent to your phone number and/or Apple Account. To check:^{[7]
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- Open your iPhone's Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Apps > Messages.
- If iMessage is not enabled, tap the switch to turn it on.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Make sure your phone number, Apple Account email, and any other connected emails are checked in the You Can Receive iMessages To and Reply From header.
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Reset Messages in iCloud. This will resync your messages to iCloud. You can try this on just your iPhone, your iPad, or both devices.
- Go to Settings → Apple Account → iCloud. Tap Messages and toggle off Use on this iPhone/iPad.
- Wait a few seconds, then switch it back on.
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Force restart your iPhone or iPad. For iPhones and iPads that have a physical Home button, you can just hold the sleep/wake button on the side of the device until a slider appears and drag it to power off the device. For an iPhone or iPad that doesn't have a Home button, you'll need to hold the wake/sleep button and press one of the volume buttons for the slider to appear.
- Turn your device back on by pressing and holding the wake/sleep button until the Apple logo appears.
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Sign out of your Apple Account, then sign back in. Do this on both your iPhone and iPad.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap your name.
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
- Enter your login details to sign in again.