When iOS 8.0 launched, it shipped without support for SMS Forwarding, one of the many “Continuity” features that were demonstrated to work between iOS devices and Macs running OS X Yosemite. The reason for this was fairly simple: there was no need to include the feature if Yosemite was not yet available to the public.
Earlier this week Apple delivered the first beta version of iOS 8.1 to developers. Aside from a few design tweaks, not a whole lot of changes were visible, though there were references and initial support for Apple Pay, indicating that this would be the update to enable that feature. Now it seems the update will also activate the SMS Forwarding function.
As seen above, support for pairing an iPhone with a Mac for SMS Forwarding is already built into iOS 8.1 beta 1. This makes sense since Apple has said that its payment service will be available in October, which is the same month Yosemite is expected to ship to consumers. Since the first version of Yosemite will need to ship with SMS Forwarding, that function is present in the GM build.
That means if you’re running the GM build of Yosemite and the beta build of iOS 8.1, you can now enable SMS Forwarding between your devices. Setup is completed by logging into the same iMessage account on both devices and waiting for the prompt to enter a confirmation code displayed on the Mac into the iPhone.
You can also manage your SMS-capable devices from the Messages settings pane on iOS, which will show a new section for the feature that allows you to toggle which devices will get text messages. If you attempt to re-enable a disabled device, you’ll have to redo the code entry to confirm your decision.
iOS 8.1 with Apple Pay and SMS Forwarding will be released some time in October alongside OS X Yosemite, and possibly new iPads. Apple is also currently hard at work on two new updates to iOS, versions 8.2 and 8.3.
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I’ve been able to text from my laptop with mighty text for months now on android
nobody cares.
+1
who cares? I mean you could send an SMS message using iChat before android was a twinkle in google’s eyes: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3462
I’ve been able to text from my Mac with BluePhoneElite for 10 years on iOS… so?
iOS wasn’t even available for 10 years…
True… before iOS I was able to do it on my SE P910i, and after when the iPhone 2G came. I was even able to make phone calls using that app via Bluetooth. There are other apps that do the same thing. I find it very useful, but it’s nothing “new”.
Thats great, but how many times has BluePhoneElite sent a text message to your iPad? I’ll wait…
Been doing this with GrowlVoice on my Mac for several YEARS now. This is hardly a new feature.
may be its not new feature, but form now on it will work out of the box, you don’t have to download any additional app for that.
It’s not just typing sms and send it from your laptop. That was possible for years I think.
It’s far more than that.
Start to type the sms on the phone – lay it down – go to ANY other device (iOS or MAC) near you and – go on typing and send it!
Do you see the difference?
It’s better when texting is integrated in the OS not having to open a webpage to do it. I hate MightyText cuz then Windows/Android feels like they don’t need to develop their OS to make messaging like on Mac OS because people use MightyText.
Works pretty nicely.
To say that there was no need for SMS forwarding because Yosemite wasn’t out yet is not a true statement, since it would also work when using it with an iPad.
Is this supported by all macs on Yosemite? Or specific ones? Also… what about iPads? Anyone know?
You will be able to send SMS on an iPad when the feature rolls out. You will be able to use this feature if you have yosemite most likely. I don’t think it singles out any macs
It’s all software backend so it would probably only require you to be on a Mac running Yosemite and at least one iPhone running iOS 8.1.
i’m running Yosemite GM and iOS 8.1 beta but when i try to activate text message forwarding, Messages opens up on my Mac but nothing happens. No code. *shrug*
Sign out and back into iCloud on both ends, seems like at least one piece of software isn’t aware that you have the ability.
Same issue. Tried logging in and out like the other person recommended too and no luck. Hah.
Your mac must support handoff I think.
no luck here. iPhone 5s / 15″ MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Handoff is not required; my MBP does not support handoff but I can use the SMS bridge.
For some reason it took several days after I installed the 8.1 beta for it to prompt me.
I had my Apple ID email address disabled from receiving iMessages (because I hate the way it doesn’t group the conversations when people message you from either your phone number or Apple ID) but once i turned on receiving iMessages from my email address on both devices, it worked.
I’m using an iPhone 5 on 8.1 and don’t see the SMS forwarding in Settings. Being a beta, there’s always something to figure out
This SMS thing is frustrating. I had it set up already and now the codes aren’t showing on my iPad or Mac at all to be able to receive texts on them.
Are we talking about SMS forwarding? Or simultaneous reception of iMessages? There is a huge difference?
POSSIBLE FIX: Had trouble getting the Mac or iPad Air to show the code, so I added the iCloud email address to my list of a Send& Receive, usually I just have my cell phone checked, and bingo, a few moments later, it worked! I hope this helps those who are having issues.
Does it work with iPhone 4s?
Does this combination, IOS 8.1 and Yosemite GM solve the iTines WiFi Syncing problem?
Since upgrading to iTunes 11.4 & IOS 8 or 8.02 have completely lost Sync over WiFi.
You’ll have to uncheck and check again the WIFI sync in order for that to work.
I am trying to set up text message forwarding but no prompt is coming up on my computer. Yes both phone and laptop are updated, both on the same network and bluetooth is on, and everything is set up with text messaging already on laptop. any ideas?
nvm….. didnt have bluetooth connected to laptop