My granddaughter needs to use my iPad as a replacement for her phone. It has an active connection and a cell #. I'm thinking that I should just create an Apple ID for her use. Once she's done with it, I will just log back in with my Apple ID and her temp data is just sitting there dormant. Will this work.
iPad Pro, iPadOS 26
While you can lend a suitably prepared iPad to another user, as described by sberman, you might not achieve your suggested aim. An iPad is not, and can never be, a standalone substitute for an iPhone.
An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or Messaging features. An iPad can only access IP-data services. If you have added an eSIM or physical DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify the account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.
When coupled with an active iPhone, the capabilities of iPad 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.
DDFlorida wrote:
I'm thinking that I should just create an Apple ID for her use.
This is exactly right.
And when changing user back and forth (from you to her and vice versa), there’s one additional critical step:
What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Call your cellphone provider and ask them if there is a workaround that fits your need.
Using separate Apple IDs on an iPad for temporary
