How to Make Calls from iPad

Why making calls from iPad is convenient

Juggling work, school, and family means you often need to switch devices mid-conversation. The ability to make and answer calls directly from your iPad reduces friction and helps you stay productive. You can use FaceTime Audio to talk with other iPads or iPhones, or route cellular calls through your iPhone using Continuity. This multi-device approach keeps you connected without reaching for your iPhone every time. According to Tablet Info, Continuity features have become a staple for many households and remote workers who want to keep conversations moving while their hands are busy with tasks. In this guide, we’ll walk through the setup, the differences between FaceTime and cellular calls, and practical tips to get reliable results every time. By the end you’ll know exactly how to make calls from your iPad and under what conditions each method works best.

Whether you’re drafting a document, cooking, or video conferencing, being able to place a call from iPad helps you keep your flow. You can start a FaceTime Audio call instantly with a few taps, or initiate a call to a saved contact using Messages or Contacts and have it ring on your iPhone if needed. The quality of calls often depends on network stability; Wi‑Fi is usually sufficient, but a robust home or office network reduces dropouts. In this article, Tablet Info uses real-world examples and step-by-step instructions to keep you in control of your communications. Practically, you’ll learn how to set up Continuity, when to use FaceTime, and how to troubleshoot common hiccups. The goal is simple: more convenient calls, less device juggling, and uninterrupted conversations that fit your everyday workflow.

How Continuity and FaceTime Audio work

Continuity is a set of features that let your iPhone and iPad work together seamlessly. When you enable Calls on Other Devices, your iPad can place and receive cellular calls routed through your nearby iPhone. FaceTime Audio, on the other hand, uses your data connection to deliver high‑quality audio to FaceTime users or to your contacts via iMessage. This means you can start a call on iPad with a contact’s email or phone number, and depending on settings, the call can connect via FaceTime or be bridged to your iPhone for cellular access. For most users, FaceTime Audio provides an excellent balance of simplicity and reliability outside of traditional phone networks. In short, Continuity makes iPad the hub for calls when your iPhone is available, while FaceTime Audio offers direct, device‑to‑device communication when cellular paths aren’t needed.

To get the best experience, keep both devices signed in to the same Apple ID and connected to the internet. If you rely on the iPhone’s cellular connection for calls, ensure that the iPhone is nearby and not in Airplane mode. This section also explains how to distinguish between an Audio FaceTime call and a standard cellular call, and when to choose each option based on your situation.

Prerequisites: What you need before you start

Before you attempt to make calls from iPad, confirm you have the essentials in place. You’ll need an iPad with FaceTime capability and a valid Apple ID signed in on both devices. An active internet connection on both devices is crucial, whether via Wi‑Fi or cellular data. For Continuity-based cellular calls, you’ll also need an iPhone linked to the same Apple ID and within range of a data connection. Prepare your Contacts so you can quickly locate numbers or emails to call, and consider using a Bluetooth headset for clearer audio in noisy environments. These prerequisites ensure your iPad can act as a calling device without interruptions.

If you rely solely on FaceTime Audio, you don’t strictly need an iPhone nearby, but you do need another device to receive the call or a contact to call. Keeping software up to date on both devices helps prevent compatibility issues. In practice, every setup will depend on your specific devices and network environment, so verify each item on this list before proceeding with the step-by-step setup.

Step-by-step setup for iPad calls

Setting up calls on iPad involves a few targeted actions that enable either FaceTime-based or Continuity-based calling. This section walks you through the key steps and explains what changes on each device. Time spent on these steps is usually quick, but you may want to allocate up to 20–30 minutes if you need to adjust network settings or test the call routing across devices. The steps assume you have already signed in with the same Apple ID and have an active internet connection.

1. Enable Calls on Other Devices on iPhone. This turns on call routing from iPhone to nearby iPads. 2) On iPad, enable Calls from iPhone in the FaceTime settings, so iPad can receive and place calls using the iPhone’s connection when available. 3) Test a FaceTime Audio call from iPad to another contact to confirm that the audio path uses the iPad. 4) If you want to place regular cellular calls via iPad, ensure the iPhone is nearby; launch a call from Contacts or FaceTime on the iPad and verify it routes through the iPhone. 5) Review permission prompts (Microphone, Camera, Contacts) and grant access when requested. 6) If necessary, adjust the audio routing to use the iPad’s speakers, a headset, or a Bluetooth device for better sound quality. 7) Conduct a final test with a friend or family member to confirm stability across devices.

Tip: If you don’t see the Calls on Other Devices option, sign out and back into your Apple ID on both devices, then recheck the settings. If you’re in a restricted network, you may need to enable specific permissions for FaceTime and Messages.

Tips for better audio quality and privacy

To maximize call quality and protect privacy when calling from iPad, consider using a strong Wi‑Fi connection or a wired Ethernet adaptor when possible. Use a headset or Bluetooth speaker to reduce echo and background noise, and keep microphones away from sources of wind or airflow. When using Continuity, both devices should be on the same iCloud account to minimize misrouting. Regularly review which apps have permission to access your microphone and contacts, and turn off access when not needed. Finally, keep an eye on Do Not Disturb settings during important calls to avoid interruptions.

Pro tip: Place calls on a stable network during important meetings and disable background tasks that could consume bandwidth. This reduces latency and improves call clarity across devices.

Troubleshooting common issues and fixes

If calls aren’t routing to the iPad, first verify both devices are signed in to the same Apple ID and connected to the internet. Check that Calls on Other Devices is enabled on the iPhone and that Calls from iPhone is enabled on the iPad. If you still don’t see a call path, try restarting both devices and re‑testing the connection. For audio problems, confirm your Microphone permissions are granted and test with a headset. If FaceTime calls work but cellular calls do not, ensure the iPhone is within Bluetooth or near enough to provide a cellular bridge. Network issues and software glitches are common culprits, so keeping devices updated often resolves many problems.

If you encounter privacy warnings or unusual behavior, review your settings and revoke access if necessary. In most cases, a quick toggle of the relevant settings and a restart will fix the issue.

Authoritative sources and guidance

• Authoritative source: Apple Support and User Guides provide official instructions for iPad continuity and FaceTime features, including Calls on Other Devices and FaceTime Audio. These resources guide setup steps and troubleshooting.
• Major publications: Reputable tech outlets regularly cover continuity features and practical tips for multi‑device calling, offering real‑world workflows and troubleshooting scenarios.

Privacy considerations and user tips

Using Continuity for calls involves data routing between devices. Ensure you understand which calls travel over your Wi‑Fi or cellular connection and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Disable Calls on Other Devices when you’re sharing a workspace or public network to prevent unintended call routing. Regularly review which apps have permission to access contacts and microphone, and keep devices updated to minimize security risks. Practically, adopting a routine of signing out of shared accounts on public devices can protect your privacy while maintaining smooth calling capabilities.