To send text messages from your Android tablet using your existing phone number, the most reliable method is to link your tablet to your phone through Google Messages for web. This allows a Wi-Fi-only tablet to send standard SMS messages by routing them through your paired Android phone, but you may need to separately download MMS messages on Android if picture messages fail to sync.
How to send text messages from your Android tablet with Google Messages
This is the primary method for most users. It works by connecting your Wi-Fi tablet to your Android phone, letting you send and receive SMS messages from the tablet's browser. Standard carrier fees will apply as if the message were sent from your phone.
- On your Android phone, open the Google Messages app. Your phone needs the latest version of Google Messages, an active Wi-Fi or data connection, and Android 5.0 or higher.
- Tap your account menu (top right), then select "Device Pairing."
- On your tablet, open a supported web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge) and go to messages.google.com/web. Sign in with the same Google Account used on your phone.
- On your phone, a dialog with three emojis will appear. Tap the emoji that matches the one displayed on your tablet screen to complete the pairing.
Once paired, you can send and receive standard SMS messages from your tablet. Be aware that Google Messages for web will automatically unpair your tablet from your phone for security reasons if you do not use the account for a few weeks.
How to text from a Samsung Galaxy tablet using Call & text on other devices
If you own a Samsung Galaxy tablet and phone, you can use the built-in "Call & text on other devices" feature to send messages from your tablet using your phone's number. This also allows you to make a phone call from your tablet through the same linked connection.
- Ensure both your Galaxy phone and tablet are signed into the same Samsung account.
- On both devices, go to Settings, then "Connected devices" or "Advanced features."
- Turn on "Call & text on other devices" on both devices.
- If you use Google Messages on your Samsung device, you may also need to enable "Text on Galaxy devices" within Google Messages settings (Profile icon > Messages settings > Advanced).
Samsung Flow is another Samsung-specific app that can sync notifications and let you reply to messages from your tablet after connecting it to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Send texts with a new number using Google Voice
If you want to send texts from your tablet without linking to a phone, Google Voice provides a separate virtual phone number. This method works entirely over Wi-Fi and is independent of your mobile phone. You can also port your existing phone number to a tablet VoIP app like Google Voice if you wish to keep your current number.
- On your tablet, open the Google Voice app from the Google Play Store, or visit the Google Voice website in a browser.
- Sign in with your Google account and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Google Voice number.
- Once set up, you can send and receive text messages over Wi-Fi using your new Google Voice number.
Google Voice provides a convenient way to communicate without needing a cellular plan on your tablet. Other internet-based messaging apps like TextFree, Talkatone, WhatsApp, or Telegram also allow you to send messages over Wi-Fi, sometimes providing a virtual phone number for texting regular mobile numbers.
Important tips for texting from your tablet
Wi-Fi-only tablets cannot send traditional SMS messages directly without being linked to a phone or using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) messaging application. Some Android tablets come with cellular connectivity and a SIM card slot, allowing them to send and receive text messages directly, similar to a mobile phone. For all methods, an active internet connection is required on your tablet. Remember that Google Messages for web will automatically unpair your tablet after a period of inactivity, so you may need to re-pair it if you haven't used it for a few weeks.
