You need to answer a phone call, but your iPhone isn’t within reach. With a feature called iPhone Cellular Calls, you can answer that call on a nearby iPad or Mac.
It’s part of Apple’s Continuity system, which also includes the Handoff and Universal Clipboard features. Continuity is designed to sync and share certain capabilities across your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac, including phone calls.
Here’s how to set up the feature so you can start making and taking calls without ever having to touch your phone.
System 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, your computer must also have an external microphone or headset.
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
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
Before you can take calls on different devices, you need to enable the feature. Go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices on your iPhone. 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.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
If you want to take calls from your iPad, go to Settings > FaceTime on your tablet. Turn on the switch next to Calls From iPhone to start receiving phone calls on this device.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
For calls to your Mac, open the FaceTime app on your computer. Click the FaceTime menu and select Preferences or Settings, depending on your version of macOS. Check the box next to Calls From iPhone.
Accept Incoming Calls
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
Now when a call comes into your iPhone, it will also ring on your iPad and Mac. 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.
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Make Calls From Your iPad
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)
If you want to make a call to a specific contact from your iPad, 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 also 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 Your Mac
(Lance Whitney)
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.
