Can I make phone call and send SMS in iPad ?

I am using iPad Pro 11 inch 4th generation.

cellular+wifi edition



I am unable to make calls nor send sms to telephone numbers.


what is the problem?

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 8:46 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 27, 2023 12:24 AM

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad?


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. 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.


However, when coupled 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.


If your both your iPhone's 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.


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


Continuity

Work across all of your devices seamlessly – Apple Support


SMS/MMS Messaging

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support


Making and receiving calls on iPad

Make and receive phone calls on iPad - Apple Support


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


In conclusion, in conjunction with an iPhone, it is theoretically possible to configure WiFi Calling service for your iPad. After WiFi Calling is enabled and configured, your iPad can 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.



Cellular/WiFi Calling


The settings that you need to change/verify on your iPhone and iPad are:


On your iPhone


Settings > Mobile Data >WiFi Calling > 

  • WiFi Calling on This iPhone - set to ON
  • Add WiFi Calling for Other Devices - set to ON


Settings > Mobile Data > Calls on Other Devices > 

  • Allow Calls on Other Devices - set to ON
  • [Allow Calls On] - explicitly enable your new iPad from the list of devices.


On your iPad


Settings > FaceTime > Calls from iPhone > Calls from iPhone - set to ON



SMS/MMS Messaging


If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages (green bubbles) from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...


On your iPhone


Settings > Messages >

  • Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.
  • MMS Messaging - set to ON (optional)


iPhone & iPad


Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON




2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 27, 2023 12:24 AM in response to vijaypeachi

Do you have an iPhone - or just an iPad?


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. 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.


However, when coupled 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.


If your both your iPhone's 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.


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


Continuity

Work across all of your devices seamlessly – Apple Support


SMS/MMS Messaging

Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support


Making and receiving calls on iPad

Make and receive phone calls on iPad - Apple Support


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


In conclusion, in conjunction with an iPhone, it is theoretically possible to configure WiFi Calling service for your iPad. After WiFi Calling is enabled and configured, your iPad can 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.



Cellular/WiFi Calling


The settings that you need to change/verify on your iPhone and iPad are:


On your iPhone


Settings > Mobile Data >WiFi Calling > 

  • WiFi Calling on This iPhone - set to ON
  • Add WiFi Calling for Other Devices - set to ON


Settings > Mobile Data > Calls on Other Devices > 

  • Allow Calls on Other Devices - set to ON
  • [Allow Calls On] - explicitly enable your new iPad from the list of devices.


On your iPad


Settings > FaceTime > Calls from iPhone > Calls from iPhone - set to ON



SMS/MMS Messaging


If you have an iPhone - and both iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID - to send SMS/MMS messages (green bubbles) from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...


On your iPhone


Settings > Messages >

  • Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.
  • MMS Messaging - set to ON (optional)


iPhone & iPad


Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages - set to ON




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Can I make phone call and send SMS in iPad ?

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