[pie314isi]

the phone in a drawer solution works basically by default on apple devices. Very common solution in outback Australia (satellite internet only, no phone coverage)

[g_p]

Just thinking aloud here - would you need to disable all automated updates on iOS before doing this, lest the device do a reboot for a system security update, and end up on the lock screen?

There's probably some interesting failure modes when trying to get a modern device to stay connected for months on end, without deciding to reboot for a security patch or similar, or taking an automated app update.

[acdha]

I always have to enter the password to start an install. I’m not sure if there’s a failsafe after some period of time since I usually install day-of but I usually wake up to some nag saying it couldn’t be installed overnight because I didn’t authenticate, and all of my devices are set to install automatically.

[pie314isi]

I suspect it doesn't matter. if the phone is powered and on, it's still doing the iCloud stuff in the background, even if it's locked.

[tjmc]

So with forwarding on, if you receive a garden variety SMS (green in iMessage) it will forward on as a normal (blue) iMessage over IP to other iOS devices on the same account?

[pie314isi]

yes. it comes up green, but is delivered to all other same account iCloud devices. you can reply too, and it works it out. I send and receive SMSs via my MacBook and iPad.