I don’t have an iPhone, but I’m wondering if I can use my iPad to make phone calls. Is it possible to set this up, and if so, what do I need to do? I really need assistance figuring this out.
Oh, you wanna make calls on your iPad? Without an iPhone? Bold move, my friend. The good news is, yeah, you can totally do this. The bad news? Well, it’s not exactly like dialing someone from a phone. Bear with me.
So, first off, the iPad doesn’t have cellular calling like a phone unless you’re using apps. If you have an iPad with cellular capability, you could argue you’re halfway there, but it’s actually more about using apps like FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, or even Skype for actual calls. These apps depend on your Wi-Fi and not a traditional phone line. Unless you’re stuck in 2005, you’ve probably got decent Wi-Fi to pull this off.
The easiest workaround? FaceTime! As long as you and the person you’re calling are living that Apple ecosystem life (and they don’t hate FaceTime), it’s super simple. Open up FaceTime on your iPad, log in with your Apple ID (assuming you have one), and BOOM—digital calling at your fingertips. But if your friend doesn’t have an Apple device, you’re looking at apps like WhatsApp or Skype. Just download what you need, link it to an email, or sometimes a number, and you’re set.
Oh, but don’t expect that old-school feel of blocking telemarketers or prank-calling Pizza Hut. This is app-based calling only since the iPad isn’t really a ‘phone’ per se. You’re not gonna get a new phone number unless you’re doing something weird like setting up a VoIP number through Google Voice or something. If that’s your vibe, look into it.
TL;DR: Yes, you can call. Download apps, use Wi-Fi, and maybe consider Facetime first if you’re into simplicity. No iPhone required, just a little app magic.
So here’s the thing—yeah, it’s possible to make calls from your iPad, but don’t expect it to magically turn into a traditional phone. Like @himmelsjager said, the main route here is apps, but I think framing it like FaceTime is your savior isn’t the full story.
Let’s break it down. If you’re set on making calls that feel remotely like using a regular phone, you might want to check out Google Voice (because it gives you a VoIP number) or something like TextNow. These can actually simulate the whole ‘phone number’ experience. You’ll need Wi-Fi or a cellular iPad model, obviously, but apps like these bypass the ‘Apple users only’ theme of FaceTime. Plus, you can call non-Apple folks without them needing to download anything extra.
Now, here’s where I slightly disagree with the FaceTime-first approach: not everyone wants to exclusively rely on Apple’s ecosystem. It’s great and all, but some of us need to keep things more flexible—cross-platform love, ya know? Apps like WhatsApp and Skype are handy, but if your friends aren’t app-savvy, Google Voice again might be worth diving into.
Whoa, and just to throw it out there—don’t expect spam-blocking features like a real phone system. Apps like these aren’t made to deal with all that mess. You just gotta hope you don’t end up flooded with voicemails from ‘auto warranty’ scammers. So yeah, it works! Just be realistic about what calling on an iPad actually looks like.
Altogether, calling from an iPad? Totally doable with the right setup. But honestly, I’d call this a temporary solution rather than a proper replacement for any real phone. Your ears, your decision.
So, making calls without an iPhone on an iPad? Challenge accepted.
Here’s where I diverge a little from the others—using FaceTime isn’t necessarily the “be-all, end-all” for this. Sure, it’s slick if you and your friends are locked into the Apple bubble, but let’s not overlook some additional solid options. For instance, apps like Facebook Messenger, Discord, or Signal can also provide seamless calling experiences without needing an iPhone or even breaking the Apple exclusivity zone. These apps support both voice and video calls and might actually broaden your reach to non-Apple users (which FaceTime won’t).
Now, if you’re thinking, “Why not go full tech-nerd and simulate a phone experience?” VoIP still reigns supreme. Google Voice, as mentioned, is killer for giving you that pseudo-phone number feel. One underrated option is TextFree—it’s similar to Google Voice but super clean for casual use and slightly more beginner-friendly. These apps let you call landlines and mobiles directly, unlike FaceTime or WhatsApp that are limited by app-to-app communication. But don’t expect carrier-level reliability (a common trade-off for VoIP).
Here’s my hot take, though: If you’ve got a cellular iPad and want to take things next-level, you could look into getting a data-only plan and using VoIP apps with it. This basically makes your iPad a digital-first “phone,” albeit minus SMS spam protection or 911 calls. Not for everyone, but some might find it practical!
Pros:
- Flexibility: Apps like Google Voice and TextFree go beyond Apple-only limits.
- No Extra Devices: Run everything on the iPad—no iPhone drama.
- Low Cost: Most apps are free, or super cheap for extra features.
Cons:
- Dependence on Wi-Fi/Cellular: A Wi-Fi black hole means no calls—major downside compared to a real phone.
- No Spam Filters: Beware the flood of fake warranty calls if you use VoIP.
Between FaceTime, WhatsApp, and VoIP apps, you’ve got options galore. Would love to hear which route works best for you—it’s kind of a “choose your own adventure” scenario here!