Toggle button missing for SMS Text message forwarding on iPhone - no option to turn off

[uandme72]

iOS Settings > Messages > SMS Forwarding > macOS Device and iPadOS is listed, but there is no toggle button against the macOS device logged in to the same iMessage and iCloud account. Instead it has a message stating "These devices can automatically forward text messages when Messages in iCloud is turned on."
All devices are updated to latest iOS, macOS, iPadOS.
Anyone else?

 

[JasonHB]

Same with mine. Guess it just works now, especially with iPhone mirroring

 

[uandme72]

The toggle button appears for SMS forwarding in iPhone against any device in the following conditions:

1.) the iPhone is formatted and restored as new, after that device was logged in to iCloud with same ID. In other words, the iPhone logs in to iCloud and Messages in iCloud in the last out of all devices; or

2.) the messages in iCloud is toggled "Off" in the respective device.

While the above condition (2) is somewhat logical, the condition at (1) does not seem to have any basis.

 

[ralphthemagi]

The toggle button appears for SMS forwarding in iPhone against any device in the following conditions:

1.) the iPhone is formatted and restored as new, after that device was logged in to iCloud with same ID. In other words, the iPhone logs in to iCloud and Messages in iCloud in the last out of all devices; or

2.) the messages in iCloud is toggled "Off" in the respective device.

While the above condition (2) is somewhat logical, the condition at (1) does not seem to have any basis.

This is an odd request, but could you try expanding on this a bit more? I'm not sure I understand, and I feel like you do. I'm having this issue and I've done a fair bit of research on this, but you are the ONLY person who seems to have an understanding of what causes it, and I don't fully understand your response.

Are you saying that this issue is somehow caused by the order in which devices are added to an iCloud Account? I have two Macs, two iPhones, and two iPads, but one of the iPads is stuck 'On' with no toggle and I can not figure out why.

Thank you in advance!

 

[uandme72]

As far as I have experimented, Toggle button for SMS forwarding (iOS Settings app > Apps > Messages > SMS Forwarding) in iPhone appears if the iPhone is logged in to iCloud after the other Apple device, but the grayed out text (instead of the toggle button) appears if the Apple device is logged in after the iPhone.

So in effect, I find it is affected by the order in which devices are added to an iCloud Account.

To remove your iPad stuck "On" with no toggle showing on any iPhone (the toggle is shown only on iPhone, not on any other device), just try to Erase that iPhone (which is showing iPad stuck to On), and set the iPhone as new to the same iCloud account. You will find the stuck iPad now starts showing toggle button on that iPhone.

 

[ralphthemagi]

As far as I have experimented, Toggle button for SMS forwarding (iOS Settings app > Apps > Messages > SMS Forwarding) in iPhone appears if the iPhone is logged in to iCloud after the other Apple device, but the grayed out text (instead of the toggle button) appears if the Apple device is logged in after the iPhone.

So in effect, I find it is affected by the order in which devices are added to an iCloud Account.

To remove your iPad stuck "On" with no toggle showing on any iPhone (the toggle is shown only on iPhone, not on any other device), just try to Erase that iPhone (which is showing iPad stuck to On), and set the iPhone as new to the same iCloud account. You will find the stuck iPad now starts showing toggle button on that iPhone.

Interesting. That is a solution that is far more trouble than it's worth for me right now, but thank you for explaining this. I'm sure others will find this thread in time. If someone else is reading this with the same issue, and this solution works for you, please update!

 

[MikeX3]

Interesting. That is a solution that is far more trouble than it's worth for me right now, but thank you for explaining this. I'm sure others will find this thread in time. If someone else is reading this with the same issue, and this solution works for you, please update!

I'm having the same issue which started after migrating from my iPhone 16 to 17. I really don't want to erase my iPhone and restore it just to see if this works. The only reason I discovered this is because my text messages sync to my laptop, but don't get marked as read after I read them on my iPhone. I have tried everything recommended to fix that with no luck. The last thing I wanted to try was disabling and re-enabling text message forwarding.. and now here I am because it's greyed out.

With all that being said, did you ever try it?

 

[uandme72]

If you disable messages in iCloud, the toggle button shows up.

 

[RUQRU]

The toggle button appears for SMS forwarding in iPhone against any device in the following conditions:

1.) the iPhone is formatted and restored as new, after that device was logged in to iCloud with same ID. In other words, the iPhone logs in to iCloud and Messages in iCloud in the last out of all devices; or

2.) the messages in iCloud is toggled "Off" in the respective device.

While the above condition (2) is somewhat logical, the condition at (1) does not seem to have any basis.

I think the issue is with point "2".

If "Enable Messages in iCloud" is unchecked on your Mac, the toggle for "Text Message Forwarding" on your iPhone will still be available.

However, in this scenario, messages won't sync across your devices through iCloud. Turning message forwarding on or off will still function independently of the Messages in iCloud setting.

So with Enable Messages in iCloud is turned on for all devices sharing the same AppleID the feature is automatically managed via iCloud and there is no need to have the toggle. It is only outside of iCloud where you iPhone is managing the forwarding that the toggle is needed and available.

SEE: Keep your messages up to date with iCloud

Choose other devices for SMS, MMS, or RCS messaging​

Text message forwarding is built into Messages in iCloud. If you don’t want to use Messages in iCloud to save iCloud storage space or to keep messages on only some of your devices, you can still share SMS, MMS, and RCS messages between your Apple devices by using text message forwarding.

When you set up text message forwarding on your iPhone, messages you send or receive appear on your other Apple devices without requiring Messages in iCloud.

Note: Availability varies by region and carrier.

1. Go to the Settings app
   
   on your iPhone.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
3. Tap Text Message Forwarding, then turn on any devices you want to include.
   
   If your iPhone is set up with Dual SIM, turn on each line. If any devices aren’t appearing in the list, see the Apple Support article Forward text messages from your iPhone to other devices.

Note: If you’re not using two-factor authentication, you need to enter a six-digit activation code that appears on the other device.