How to prevent ipad from ringing when phone rings
Learn practical, step‑by‑step methods to prevent your iPad from ringing when your iPhone rings, using iOS Focus, Do Not Disturb, and device-specific settings. Includes troubleshooting tips and tested workflows.
To stop your iPad from ringing when your iPhone rings, disable cross-device calling and use Focus or Do Not Disturb to silence notifications. Start by turning off Calls on Other Devices on your iPhone (Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices) and then check the iPad settings under FaceTime to disable Calls from iPhone. If needed, set up a Focus profile to automate silencing during work or study.
Why this happens
When an iPhone call comes in, your iPad may ring if Continuity and Calls on Other Devices are enabled. This feature lets devices share calls and notifications across your Apple ecosystem. If you frequently work across iPhone and iPad, this can be convenient, but it can be disruptive when you want to focus. If you're asking how to prevent ipad from ringing when phone rings, you're in the right place. In this guide, we explain both the root causes and practical steps to regain control. Tablet Info's research in 2026 shows that most users who disable cross-device ringing do so to minimize interruptions during work or study sessions. By understanding the settings and workflows, you can keep essential calls on the iPhone while preventing iPad echoes. The solution is typically a combination of enabling Do Not Disturb or Focus, and turning off the “Calls on Other Devices” option. By following the steps outlined below, you can tailor your notification behavior to your daily rhythm.
What causes the iPad to ring when the iPhone rings
The short answer is Continuity: Apple’s ecosystem is designed to let calls move between devices signed in to the same Apple ID. If your iPhone is ringing, and Calls on Other Devices is enabled, your iPad can ring as a secondary endpoint. This behavior can be desirable for some users but frustrating for others who want device-level control. The Tablet Info team notes that most users report better focus when they separate call routing from notifications. Don’t be surprised if you need to adjust both the iPhone and iPad settings to achieve a clean result.
To address the core question—how to prevent ipad from ringing when phone rings—focus on disabling cross-device calling for the iPad and using Focus or Do Not Disturb to manage interruptions. After applying these changes, run a quick test by calling your iPhone to confirm that the iPad no longer rings.
Core fixes you can implement today
Start with the simplest solution first: turn off cross-device calling on the iPhone, then verify the iPad’s settings. If you still receive calls on the iPad, consider adding a Focus or Do Not Disturb rule to silence all but the most important contacts. This approach minimizes noise while keeping essential communications accessible on your iPhone. Tablet Info analysis shows that most users achieve consistent results by combining device-level toggles with a Focus strategy, rather than relying on a single toggle. Once you understand the flow, you can tailor the approach to your daily routine and ensure the iPad remains quiet when you don’t want it to ring.
Quick checks before you start
- Confirm both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID and are updated to compatible iPadOS/iOS versions.
- Know exactly where each setting lives: iPhone settings for Calls on Other Devices; iPad settings under FaceTime for Calls from iPhone.
- Plan a quick test: ask a friend to call your iPhone and observe whether the iPad rings after you implement changes.
Advanced options: Focus and Do Not Disturb
If you frequently need quiet periods, Focus modes and Do Not Disturb provide powerful, time-based control over interruptions. You can allow calls only from favorites or important people, and you can schedule Focus times for work or study. Enabling these modes ensures the iPad stays quiet during critical hours while your iPhone remains fully reachable.
Authority sources and further reading
- Apple Support: General guidance on managing calls on multiple devices and Focus modes. https://support.apple.com/
- Apple Support: Focus modes and notification management for iPhone/iPad. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone-help/
Tools & Materials
- iPhone (updated to latest iOS)(Settings path: Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices)
- iPad (updated to latest iPadOS)(Settings path: Settings > FaceTime (Disables Calls from iPhone))
- Stable Wi‑Fi or cellular connection(Test across devices after changes)
- A test caller (optional)(Use a friend or colleague to verify settings)
- Device compatibility(Ensure both devices support Continuity features)
Steps
Estimated time: Total estimated time: 15-20 minutes
- 1
Open iPhone Settings and locate Calls on Other Devices
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, tap Phone, then select Calls on Other Devices. Toggle off Allow Calls on Other Devices, and if listed, switch off for your iPad. This stops iPhone calls from routing to the iPad.
Tip: If you don’t see the option, verify you’re signed in with the same Apple ID and that both devices are updated. - 2
Disable the iPad’s ability to receive iPhone calls
On your iPhone, ensure the toggle for the iPad is off in the Calls on Other Devices section. If you want to maintain other Continuity features, you can leave the option on for other devices you don’t mind receiving calls from.
Tip: Use the same Apple ID across devices to keep other Continuity features intact. - 3
Adjust iPad settings to stop iPhone calls
On your iPad, open Settings > FaceTime and verify that Calls from iPhone (or iPhone Cellular Calls) is turned off. This ensures iPad won’t ring for iPhone calls even if the iPhone is ringing.
Tip: If you can’t find the setting, check for iPadOS updates. - 4
Set up a Focus or Do Not Disturb profile
Go to Settings > Focus (or Do Not Disturb) and create a Focus mode with call silenced during the times you need quiet. You can tailor allowed people to ensure important numbers still come through when needed.
Tip: Schedule Focus to auto-activate during work hours or study sessions. - 5
Test and fine-tune
Place a test call to your iPhone and observe whether the iPad rings. If it does, revisit the Calls on Other Devices settings and the FaceTime Switches, then try another Focus configuration.
Tip: Keep a short test checklist to confirm changes consistently.
Questions & Answers
Why does my iPad ring when my iPhone rings?
This happens due to Continuity features like Calls on Other Devices, which route calls to devices signed in with the same Apple ID. Turning off the relevant option stops the iPad from ringing.
It's because both devices share calls through Continuity. Turning off the cross-device setting stops the iPad from ringing.
Which settings control this behavior?
You control it with Calls on Other Devices on the iPhone and the Calls from iPhone option on the iPad (FaceTime). Disable both to prevent the iPad from ringing.
Use the iPhone setting to disable Call Routing and the iPad setting to stop Echo ringing.
Will turning off Calls on Other Devices affect other devices?
Turning off Calls on Other Devices only stops call routing for the devices you disable. Other Continuity features like Handoff or AirDrop remain unaffected.
Other Continuity features stay intact; only call routing is changed.
Can Focus or Do Not Disturb help in emergencies?
Yes. Focus modes can be configured to allow certain calls or contacts in emergencies while silencing others. This helps prevent missed critical calls without constant interruptions.
Focus can be set to still allow emergency contacts while silencing the rest.
What if I still need the iPad for some calls?
Create a separate Focus profile for times when you want calls on the iPad, or selectively enable Calls on Other Devices for only certain people or times.
You can tailor Focus profiles to balance access and quiet time.
Watch Video
Highlights
- Disable cross‑device calling to stop iPad rings
- Use Focus or Do Not Disturb for quiet periods
- Verify iPhone and iPad settings after changes
- Test and adjust until you achieve reliable quiet on iPad
