Is there an Apple alternative to Google Voice for iPad Pro?

Is there an apple alternative to google voice, for iPad Pro?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Apple alternative to google voice


Posted on Jun 3, 2025 7:53 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 3, 2025 7:58 AM

FaceTime is Apple's alternative - although this service does not, of itself, provide a telephone number for standard landline calls.


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 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, 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.


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.


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



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.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 3, 2025 7:58 AM in response to 8_2_9

FaceTime is Apple's alternative - although this service does not, of itself, provide a telephone number for standard landline calls.


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 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, 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.


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.


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



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.

Jun 3, 2025 8:21 AM in response to 8_2_9

Google Voice is one of Google's suite of Apps. Google Voice is geographically limited. Other VoIP Apps are available within the Apple App Store.


Apple invite submission of comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see a specific feature or functionality in a future version of iPadOS, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make a request:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Jun 3, 2025 8:15 AM in response to LotusPilot

I am already using the FaceTime to make apple to apple calls, but i use this iPad as an all-in-one business device and i am looking for a native voip app to make that possible. Google voice is fine, but I think apple is missing the market by not having a native alternative and I would much rather use an in-house app, than google. I know they want to sell all of their devices to everyone, but it just not practical to carry around so many different devices.


iPad Pro: 13”, cellular, 1TB.

Jun 3, 2025 8:50 AM in response to 8_2_9

I believe I have made this “unsolicited suggestion” before, but I will gladly make it again. My organization just purchased 30 iPads for testing mobile computing, based on my suggestion. As a long term apple user, I knew we would need a VoIP alternative, but it would be nice to have everything built by the same company, instead of outsourcing a core component to google.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Is there an Apple alternative to Google Voice for iPad Pro?

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