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Ipad as a Phone

Do I need a IPhone to make phone calls on my Ipad or can I just use the Ipad alone without purchasing a Iphone?

iPad, iPadOS 13

Posted on Mar 16, 2022 8:38 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 16, 2022 10:37 AM

If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.


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.


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

How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support


WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support


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 independently of your iPhone whilst connected to a WiFi network.


Depending upon your App Store region, you may find Apps that provide an ability to make “phone” calls using VoIP via a proxy service. You should note, however, that these services are often relatively expensive - and do not provide full capabilities of both making and receiving calls.


I hope this information and clarification is helpful in understanding the capabilities of both your iPad - and if you have one, your iPhone.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 16, 2022 10:37 AM in response to SCI-Fwing

If you have added a DataSIM and Cellular plan to a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad, the number associated with the SIM card is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending messages.


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.


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

How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support


WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support


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 independently of your iPhone whilst connected to a WiFi network.


Depending upon your App Store region, you may find Apps that provide an ability to make “phone” calls using VoIP via a proxy service. You should note, however, that these services are often relatively expensive - and do not provide full capabilities of both making and receiving calls.


I hope this information and clarification is helpful in understanding the capabilities of both your iPad - and if you have one, your iPhone.

Mar 16, 2022 8:47 AM in response to SCI-Fwing

No, you need an iPhone.

iPad wifi+cellular models cannot make/receive phone calls, per se, since the SIM card to insert is a DATA only card (to be used to surf the Internet when you don't have any Wifi networks available, and whose number is known only by your carrier to send you appropriate invoices for your data plan).

Regards

Giulio


P.S. the only way to make phone calls directly from an iPad is via "wifi calling", a specific carrier's service (you can ask your carrier about that).


Ipad as a Phone

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