I am looking to purchase an Ipad Mini for my 88 year old mother with cellular data. Is she able to make this device her only form of cellular communication? meaning can she ditch her current phone and just use the Mini as her only cell phone? Thanks
An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or 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.
More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:
Continuity
Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support
SMS/MMS Messaging
WiFi Calling
Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support
An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or 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.
More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:
Continuity
Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support
SMS/MMS Messaging
WiFi Calling
Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support
No, the cellular capability for an iPad is essentially limited to what you can do on Wi-Fi, just without having access to Wi-Fi. If she does not have an iPhone, then the iPad won't be able to make phone calls or text message to non-Apple devices (with an iPhone she could). So this means she'd be able to iMessage or FaceTime to an Apple device, but that's it.
With an iPhone, she'd be able to communicate from the iPad to non-Apple devices, but not without (other than email).
Ipad Mini purchase with Cellular
