Do you have an iPhone, or just an iPad?
An iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is fundamentally not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or SMS/MMS Messaging features. An iPad with either WiFi or Cellular connectivity alone can access IP-data services. An iPad is not designed to be a standalone substitute for a mobile phone.
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 is only used to identify your account for billing purposes. This number is not used for making calls or sending or receiving SMS/MMS messages via Cellular networks.
However, when 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.
WiFi Calling
If your both your Cellular Carrier and your iPhone’s calling plan support WiFi Calling, your iPad can often make and receive calls independently of the iPhone - even when the iPhone is switched off, elsewhere, or using a different WiFi network. You should note that WiFi Calling is a Carrier feature that may not be available for your contracted service; 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
WiFi Calling
Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support
When correctly configured, the iPad FaceTime App (and for iPadOS26 - the new iPad Phone App) provides access to Cellular Voice Calling features - whilst Messages supports SMS/MMS messaging services.
So, in conclusion, if your iPhone’s 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.
Additional guidance can be found here:
Make and receive phone calls on Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support
SMS/MMS Messaging
How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support
For SMS/MMS messaging, if you have an iPhone - to send and receive SMS/MMS messages from your iPad you must explicitly enable Text Message Forwarding for your iPad on your iPhone...
On your iPhone:
Settings > Apps > Messages >
- Text Message Forwarding - set to ON - and explicitly enable your iPad from the list of devices.
- MMS Messaging - enable if required
Also ensure that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both your iPhone and iPad:
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Messages > Use on this iPhone|iPad - set to ON
I hope this information and clarification is helpful in understanding the capabilities of both your iPad - and if you have one, your iPhone.
