The Ultimate Guide to Making Phone Calls on Your iPad – No iPhone Required!

Did you know that you can use your iPad to make and receive phone calls, even if your iPhone isn‘t nearby? While most people rely on their iPhones for day-to-day calling, the iPad is a surprisingly capable phone substitute in a pinch. Whether you accidentally left your phone at home, the battery died, or you just prefer the big screen for extended conversations, your iPad can be your phone away from phone.

In this in-depth guide, I‘ll show you exactly how to set up and start making calls on your iPad, no iPhone required. We‘ll cover built-in options like FaceTime and Wi-Fi calling, as well as some of the best third-party calling apps. By the end, you‘ll be an iPad phone calling pro!

But first, let‘s clarify a few key things that make calling on an iPad different from an iPhone:

iPad Calling 101

Unlike iPhones, iPads cannot connect to cellular voice networks to make traditional phone calls (even cellular iPad models). Instead, all iPad calls are Voice Over IP (VoIP) – they rely entirely on an internet connection via Wi-Fi or cellular data.

This means a few things:
• You can‘t make iPad calls without an internet connection
• iPad calls may not work well on slow or unreliable internet
• You can call any phone number, not just other iPads/iPhones
• Calls won‘t use your cell carrier‘s voice minutes

With those differences in mind, let‘s look at option #1 for iPad calling: Wi-Fi calling through your iPhone.

How to Make Calls on Your iPad Using Your iPhone‘s Number

Apple has made it super simple to use your iPad to make and receive calls that ring through to your iPhone‘s phone number. The beauty of this option is that the calls still originate from your number, so people will recognize it‘s you calling. Plus incoming calls to your iPhone will ring on your iPad as well.

Here‘s how to set it up:

Step 1: Meet the requirements

• Both devices must be running iOS 8.1 or newer, signed into the same Apple ID
• iPhone must be powered on, connected to Wi-Fi or cellular
• iPad must be connected to Wi-Fi or (for cellular models) have an active data plan
• iPhone Wi-Fi calling must be supported and enabled through your carrier

Step 2: Enable Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app, then tap "Phone"
2. Tap "Wi-Fi Calling" and toggle it ON
3. Follow the setup prompts from your carrier if shown
4. Make sure the "Calls on Other Devices" option is ON

Step 3: Allow Calls on iPad

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad
2. Tap "FaceTime" and make sure it‘s toggled ON
3. Under "Calls from iPhone" tap the switch to ON
4. You should see your iPhone and phone number listed

Now when someone calls your iPhone, your iPad will also ring and you can answer it there. Making an outbound call is just as easy – just use the built-in Phone app on your iPad, enter a number or contact name, and tap the phone icon to initiate the call. The recipient will see it coming from your regular iPhone number.

Use FaceTime Audio or Video to Call Other Apple Users

The other built-in calling option on your iPad is FaceTime. While most people think of FaceTime as a video calling service (which it is), you can also make voice-only calls using the FaceTime Audio feature. The person on the other end doesn‘t even need an Apple device, as long as they have FaceTime activated.

To make a FaceTime call from your iPad:

1. Open the FaceTime app
2. Enter the name, email or phone number of the contact you want to call
3. Tap the "Audio" button for voice-only, or "Video" to include video
4. When they answer, chat away!

A few things to keep in mind about FaceTime on iPad:
• Both people need to be connected to the internet
• Calls to non-Apple devices only work if they‘ve associated their phone number with FaceTime
• During video calls, the iPad‘s size makes it awkward to hold up to your face for extended periods, so it‘s better suited to setting on a table or stand

The Best Third-Party Apps for iPad Calling

In addition to the built-in Wi-Fi calling and FaceTime options, there are also a number of excellent third-party apps that let you make calls from your iPad. Here are three of the most popular and full-featured:

Google Voice

Google Voice provides you with a free phone number that you can use to make and receive calls, texts, and voicemail through the app on your iPad. Outbound calls to most U.S. and Canadian numbers are free, and calls to your Google Voice number will ring through the app no matter where you are.

The only caveat is that you do need to sign up for a Google account and Voice number to use it. But once you‘re set up, calling is as easy as opening the app and dialing or answering when it rings.

Skype

The original VoIP and video chat service is still one of the best options for iPad calling. Skype lets you call other Skype users for free, or purchase credits to dial regular phone numbers at competitive rates. You can also set up a Skype Number so that people can call you through the app from any phone.

In addition to the free Skype-to-Skype calling, some of the app‘s best features are its robust group video chatting (with up to 25 participants) and live translation capabilities. If you do a lot of international calling, Skype is definitely worth considering.

TextNow

Similar to Google Voice, TextNow gives you your own dedicated phone number in the area code of your choosing that you can use to make and receive unlimited calls and texts to most of the U.S. and Canada for free. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection.

The TextNow app has a slick, user-friendly design and a few neat features like customizable voicemail greetings, call forwarding, and conference calling. You can also earn free calling credits by completing offers and surveys. If you want a separate business line on your iPad, TextNow is a great choice.

When iPad Calling Comes in Handy

Now that you know how to make calls on your iPad, when might it actually be useful? Here are a few scenarios where iPad calling can be a lifesaver:

• Your iPhone battery is dead or the phone is lost/broken
• You‘re traveling internationally and want to avoid roaming charges
• You need to make a long call and would prefer the comfort of the bigger iPad screen and less awkward speakerphone
• Your iPhone doesn‘t have a strong cell signal, but you can connect your iPad to Wi-Fi
• You want a dedicated line for business that you only access through your iPad
• You make a lot of video calls and like the better front camera and screen size of an iPad

Limitations of iPad Calling to Be Aware Of

As great as it is to be able to make calls on your iPad, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

• If you‘re using your iPhone‘s number, both devices must be connected to the internet – you can‘t hand off a call from Wi-Fi to the cell network
• The iPad‘s size and lack of vibration/flashing notification light means it‘s easier to miss incoming call notifications if you‘re not paying attention
• Without a cellular voice plan, iPad calling doesn‘t work if you don‘t have access to Wi-Fi or data
• Call quality can suffer on slow internet connections
• Holding an iPad up to your face for long stretches gets uncomfortable

Start Making iPad Phone Calls Today!

So there you have it – everything you need to know to start making phone calls on your iPad! To recap, your options are:

1. Enabling Wi-Fi calling to your iPhone number
2. Using FaceTime Audio or Video
3. Downloading a third-party calling app like Google Voice, Skype or TextNow

Each has its own advantages and setup process, but all will let you turn your iPad into a makeshift phone in a pinch. Whether you just need to make the occasional call or want a full-fledged second line for your iPad, you‘ve got plenty of options.

Do you have a favorite way to make calls on your iPad? Any other tips or apps we missed? Let us know in the comments!