> > You cannot, without elaborate workarounds, text from a consumer computer, tablet or other device as if it was a phone. Texting requires a phone number and a

> > You cannot, without elaborate workarounds, text from a consumer computer, tablet or other device as if it was a phone. Texting requires a phone number and a phone plan. > Nitpick, but I can text from my Mac laptop using the messages app. I haven't looked into exactly how exactly it works but I think it's somehow proxying/mirroring the messages through my iPhone. It's very smooth and "just works" though. Correct. I think the GP’s remark meant to say “…as if it was a phone, without a phone as well”. If you’re sending or receiving an SMS from your Mac through the messages app, it absolutely depends on your phone being powered up and online, to route the message through.