Can An iPad Have Its Own Phone Number?

iPads are wonderful tablets, but sometimes you want to use your iPad as a phone. 

To do so, you need it to have its own phone number. 

However, can an iPad have its own phone number?

Can An iPad Have Its Own Phone Number?

An iPad can have its own phone number if it has a SIM card provided by a cell phone carrier. This SIM card number can’t be called, but it can send and receive texts and internet access. To make calls with an iPad, an iPhone needs to be connected and Wi-Fi Calling needs to be installed on the iPad.

Make sure you get a SIM card that’s compatible with your iPad so that you can put that phone number to use.

Compatible SIM Cards

When you get your SIM card, you will have to make sure that it’s compatible with your iPad. 

Three different SIM card sizes are compatible with iPads: Apple SIM, Micro-SIM, and Nano-SIM.

Apple SIM cards are supported by iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad mini 3, and later.

Micro-SIM can be used by the iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3rd Generation, and iPad 4th Generation.

Nano-SIM cards a variety of iPads. 

They fit the iPad 5th generation and later, as well as all iPad pro, iPad Airs, and iPad mini models.

Benefits of Having a SIM Card

Your SIM card is provided to you by your cellular carrier. 

It’s used to link your device to the cellular network by giving you authorization based on your plan. 

This gives you both the ability to access the internet from wherever you have service (no Wi-Fi required).

It also gives you the ability to send and receive texts from the number associated with the SIM card.

Cellular data, the “mileage” if you will that your provider gives you that allows you to access the internet away from Wi-Fi, is a great asset. 

Data access gives you a level of security and allows you to access the internet at any time.

Using free Wi-Fi provided through unsecured networks can expose you to hackers, a risk you don’t have to take if you have data access.

Data connects you directly to the internet via your service provider. 

When you use Data, hackers can’t easily steal your information.

You can also text people on your iPad if you have a SIM card installed. 

Texting is an extremely fast method of communication that you can utilize while on the go.

It doesn’t take as much time as calling does, which is nice.

Unfortunately, iPads with a SIM card can’t call people.

Why iPads Don’t Support Voice Calls

iPads don’t come with the hardware required to support voice calls.

Some of them, if not all of them, come with speakers and microphones, but their cellular radios are simply not built to support phone calls.

Some people might say it’s Apple’s way of forcing its users to buy more products (you need an iPhone to make Wi-Fi calls on an iPad), while others argue that Apple made it this way because they don’t want their users looking silly holding a huge iPad by their face.

Both of these reasons are valid, but there are also many components needed to support voice calls so you can clearly hear the person on the other end of the line.

iPads are made to be thin, and those components take up space within the iPad, which means there is less room for things like the battery and camera.

How to Use Wi-Fi Calling

If you want to use your iPad’s phone number to make or receive calls, you’re going to need an iPhone to relay the call. 

Be aware that not all carriers allow Wi-Fi calling, so make sure ahead of time that your carrier does support it.

Before you make your call, you will need to have set up FaceTime on both devices and be signed in to both devices with the same Apple ID.

First, on your iPhone, go to Settings, then Cellular.

If your iPhone has a Dual SIM, you will need to choose a line to use.

Decide whether you will be using your iPad to make calls with your iPhone nearby, or if you want to still be able to use it when your iPhone is somewhere else. 

Consider why you want to use your iPad to make phone calls to help you decide.

If your iPhone will always be near your iPad when you want to make or receive calls, choose Calls on Other Devices.

Then turn on Allow Calls on Other Devices and choose your iPad. 

Then you will be able to make and receive calls from your iPad, but only if your iPhone is nearby and you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

If your iPhone and iPad might be separated at times when you want to make or receive calls, choose Wi-Fi Calling. 

Then turn on Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices. 

Then you will be able to make and receive calls from your iPad whether your iPhone is nearby or not.

To finish setting up, you will need to go to the FaceTime settings of your iPad. 

Enable FaceTime and Calls from iPhone. 

If it asks you to turn on Wi-Fi Calling, turn it on.

After that, making a call on your iPad is just like you would do on your phone: tap a phone number on any app that displays one or enter the number through FaceTime or Contacts. 

Receiving a call is also just like any other device. 

Other Platforms to Use to Call Via iPad

Apart from Wi-Fi Calling, there are several other apps and platforms you can use from your iPad to essentially make phone calls.

Facebook Messenger is a popular one. 

It comes with texting, voice, and video options, and it’s consistent across all types of devices.

Discord has increased in popularity recently, and for good reason.

Like Messenger, it’s made for text conversation as well as voice and video. 

It has many features that will make talking to your friends entertaining.

Google Voice is a service that you can get a data plan from.

Because it’s based on the internet, it can be used by any device that is connected to the internet.

however, calls may be unclear if your internet connection is spotty.