eSim with iPad Pro number problem

[sammy_vine]

Hi all,

I wonder if you can help. I just got an iPad from EE, and it came with an eSim where I was just required to scan the QR code to set it up. It all worked fine but I have noticed that sending and receiving text messages on my iPad uses my iPhone mobile number and not the new mobile number I was given with the eSim. Is there a reason for this because I would have thought the new number that came with the eSim would be the number that would be used when sending and receiving text messages. 

Is there something I need to do?

[Schockwave]

Hello @sammy_vine ,

Welcome to the community,

I have IPad Pro and IPhone, and it uses the IPhone number, the ESim for the IPad is for billing purposes so that you can also use data etc, when no wifi is available. 

You can then see all your messages on the phone as well as the IPad and if you have the watch as well you can see and read them there also. Watch also has e-sim and own number for billing purposes. Hope this makes sense.

[sammy_vine]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. This is a bit confusing. So you get a new number with the eSim, but the eSim actually uses your iPhone mobile number to send and receive text messages? I wonder why that is?

Why can't the number that comes with the eSim be used... Why does it have to be your iPhone number? Is this the same with other networks as well?

Sorry for the many questions, just trying to work this out!

[Schockwave]

@sammy_vine , that is so that you can receive text messages and calls and send them either via your phone or IPad. You haven the number for billing purposes only. It also means that you can use your data when out and about without having the phone with you and without having to hotspot.

I cannot speak for other networks, but would assume it would be the same. I have now explained why it has to be your IPhone number, as it is linked to it.

Why would you not want to be able to have text messages etc not on both with the same number?

You would otherwise need to have another number on your phone, as you do have the possibility to have to numbers, but pay for it as well.

[Techhead]

I hope Schockwave  won’t mind if I clarify your answer. 

iMessage is based on your Apple account rather than a particular phone number. 

If you go into Settings / Messages /Send and Receive (Settings/Apps/Messages/ Send and Receive in iOS 18) you’ll see that you can choose what number or even email address your i Messages appear to come from when sent from that device. 

Text messages will show the number selected for that Contact in the contacts app. 

As long as the eSIM is not a data only SIM then you can select the number of the eSIM for sending and receiving message. 

By default Apple Continuity means that you can seamlessly move between your watch, iPad, iPhone and Mac. This is the same on all networks/service providers. If you want them completely separate you need to sign in with a different Apple ID. 

[sammy_vine]

The eSim number is not on the list when I check in Settings. Just my iPhone number appears...unless the eSim is a data only sim perhaps?

[sammy_vine]

Thanks for clarify once again.

I only get 5GB data with my eSim, does that mean I will have to gift data from my iPhone if I want to use more data, or do I not have to do this because you said the eSim number is only for billing purposes....

[Katie_B]

Hi @sammy_vine. 

You will be able to gift data from your mobile contract SIM to your iPad contract SIM.

Katie 🙂

[Techhead]

This does sound like it’s a data only eSIM. 

[Downtoroot]

Nope, its a data-only device.