For those times when your iPhone isn?t handy, your iPad and Mac can handle phone calls, thanks to a feature known as iPhone Cellular Calls. Here?s how to set it up.
By Lance Whitney
For those times when your iPhone isn?t handy, your iPad and Mac can handle phone calls, thanks to a feature known as iPhone Cellular Calls. All you need to do is set up the feature on your phone, and any other compatible Apple devices you want to use.
iPhone Cellular Calls is part of Apple?s Continuity system, which is designed to sync and share certain capabilities across iOS, iPadOS, Apple Watch, and Mac, and also includes Handoff and Universal Clipboard.
Here?s how to set it up and start taking calls without touching your phone.
System Requirements
Before you can enlist your iPad or Mac as a phone, these devices must meet certain requirements. Your iPhone must be running iOS 8.1 or later and be activated with a carrier, while your iPad must have at least iOS 8, or iPadOS.
Your Mac must be on OS X Yosemite or later. If you have a Mac mini or Mac Pro, it must also have an external microphone or headset to use this feature.
Each device must be signed into iCloud and FaceTime using the same Apple ID. They must also have Wi-Fi enabled and be connected to the same network using either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Allow Calls on Other Devices
Now you need to allow calls to come through on different devices, so turn to your trusty iPhone first. Open Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices. Turn on the switch next to ?Allow Calls on Other Devices.?
If you have more than one other supported Apple device, such as an iPad and a Mac, you can choose the devices on which you want to allow calls.
Allow Calls on iPad
If you want to takes calls from a tablet, segue to your iPad. Open Settings > FaceTime and turn on the switch next to Calls From iPhone.
Allow Calls on Mac
If you want to take calls from the computer, open the FaceTime app on your Mac. Go to FaceTime > Preferences. At the Settings screen, check the box for Calls From iPhone.
Accept Incoming Calls
Now when a call comes into your iPhone, it will ring on your iPad as well. Tap the Accept button to pick up the call on your iPad and start talking. On your Mac, a small notification pops up alerting you to the incoming call. Click the Accept button to pick up the call on your computer.
Make Calls From iPad
To make a phone call from your iPad to a specific contact, open the Contacts app. Select the contact and tap the number you wish to call. The calling screen pops up while you wait for the person to answer.
You can dial a number manually on your iPad by opening the FaceTime app. Tap the + icon and type the phone number. Make sure the call type is set to Audio and tap the Audio button to place the call.
Make Calls From Mac
Call a contact from your Mac by opening the Contacts app. Select the contact and then hover your mouse over the number you want to call. Click the resulting phone icon to place the call.
To manually dial a number on your Mac, open the FaceTime app and type the number. Make sure the call is set to audio and then click the Audio button to make the call.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
