You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Cannot get calls on my I pad

Why can’t I get phone calls on my I pad???

Posted on Jul 31, 2020 11:00 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2020 11:08 AM

An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or Messaging features. An iPad with Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. An iPad is not, and can never be, a standalone substitute for an iPhone.


However, If paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. For the most part, an iPad using Continuity is able to access Cellular calling features, of the iPhone, when both the iPad an iPhone are in close physical proximity and are connected to the same WiFi network - but this is not the end of the story.


Now, if your both your Cellular Carrier and your calling plan support WiFi Calling, your iPad can make and receive calls independently of the iPhone - even when the iPhone is switched off, elsewhere, or using a different WiFi network. Not all carriers support full WiFi calling - and many Carrier representatives don’t technically understand or acknowledge its existence.


More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:


Continuity

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204681


SMS/MMS Messaging

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208386


WiFi Calling

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT203032


When correctly configured, the iPad FaceTime App provides access to Cellular Voice Calling features - whilst Messages supports SMS/MMS messaging services.


So, in conclusion, if your own Cellular Carrier and tariff support WiFi Calling, it is theoretically possible to configure WiFi Calling service for your iPad. After WiFi Calling is enabled and configured, your iPad can continue to make and receive cellular calls whilst connected to a WiFi network (caveat: any associated firewall must not block WiFi Calling or VoIP services) - even in absence of the iPhone.


I hope this information and clarification is helpful - and if your have an iPhone, in resolving your needs.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2020 11:08 AM in response to rylan66

An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or Messaging features. An iPad with Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. An iPad is not, and can never be, a standalone substitute for an iPhone.


However, If paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. For the most part, an iPad using Continuity is able to access Cellular calling features, of the iPhone, when both the iPad an iPhone are in close physical proximity and are connected to the same WiFi network - but this is not the end of the story.


Now, if your both your Cellular Carrier and your calling plan support WiFi Calling, your iPad can make and receive calls independently of the iPhone - even when the iPhone is switched off, elsewhere, or using a different WiFi network. Not all carriers support full WiFi calling - and many Carrier representatives don’t technically understand or acknowledge its existence.


More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:


Continuity

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204681


SMS/MMS Messaging

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208386


WiFi Calling

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT203032


When correctly configured, the iPad FaceTime App provides access to Cellular Voice Calling features - whilst Messages supports SMS/MMS messaging services.


So, in conclusion, if your own Cellular Carrier and tariff support WiFi Calling, it is theoretically possible to configure WiFi Calling service for your iPad. After WiFi Calling is enabled and configured, your iPad can continue to make and receive cellular calls whilst connected to a WiFi network (caveat: any associated firewall must not block WiFi Calling or VoIP services) - even in absence of the iPhone.


I hope this information and clarification is helpful - and if your have an iPhone, in resolving your needs.

Cannot get calls on my I pad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.