points by transpute 2 years ago

iMessage can be disabled by local MDM for supervised devices, via free Apple Configurator in macOS app store, https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/restrictions-for-...

  For Wi-Fi–only devices, the Messages app is hidden. 
  For devices with Wi-Fi and cellular, the Messages app is still available, but only the SMS/MMS service can be used.

SMS/MMS messages and non-emergency cellular radio traffic can be disabled by a SIM PIN, e.g. when using device for an extended period via WiFi.

fishywang 2 years ago

We purchased an iPad with cellular, with the plan to put my home country's sim card in it so I can still receive SMS (as most of the banks there still requires SMS verification when you login), and it turns out that iPad with cellular does not really show you SMS's that's not from the carrier of the sim card.

  • transpute 2 years ago

    > iPad with cellular does not really show you SMS's that's not from the carrier of the sim card.

    Does iPad support SMS? The cellular line is usually only for data, https://www.howtogeek.com/710767/how-to-send-sms-text-messag...

      iPads can't send SMS text messages through Apple's Messages app. Even if you have an iPad with a cellular data plan for mobile internet on the go, you still can't send SMS text messages.
    • fishywang 2 years ago

      Apple's own user guide (https://web.archive.org/web/20201223140550/https://support.a...) suggests otherwise:

      >In the Messages app , you can send text messages as SMS/MMS messages through your cellular service, or ...

      Also my own experience is that it at least can receive SMS text messages, just it won't show you if it's not from your carrier (if it's from your carrier, it shows you via a popup window or something, can't really remember as that was several years ago).

      • transpute 2 years ago

        No direct experience to share, but that sentence may be referencing Continuity via iCloud, which is optional:

          With Continuity, you can send and receive SMS/MMS messages on iPad using the cellular connection on your iPhone.

        > if it's from your carrier, it shows you via a popup window

        If it's not shown in Apple's Messages app, maybe it was a carrier-specific app?

      • artdigital 2 years ago

        iPad can neither send nor receive sms. The only way it can is through a nearby iPhone, or iMessage

  • fsckboy 2 years ago

    I've never understood why iPads can't be used as phones with an ordinary cellphone SIM. Is it simply because Apple doesn't want to pay a Qualcomm licensing fee or some equivalent? Who is it in the chain/ecosystem that does not want tablets being used as full phones, the carriers? Apple?

    • jrockway 2 years ago

      I'm guessing it doesn't fit well with the carriers' price structure. Adding a tablet / smart watch / etc. is cheaper than adding another phone to your account. I wouldn't have a cellular iPad if it was a lot extra per month, but I think I pay $10 for both the tablet and the watch, which is fine with me.