Most tablets cannot make phone calls, but some can with the right setup
A standard tablet—whether iPad, Android, or Windows—does not have the cellular radio hardware that phones use to connect to carrier networks. Without that hardware, the tablet cannot dial a number and connect to a phone line the way your phone does. However, you have several real ways to make calls from a tablet, depending on which tablet you own and what services you are willing to set up.
The key difference is between cellular tablets and Wi-Fi-only tablets. A cellular tablet has a SIM card slot and can connect to a phone network just like a phone. A Wi-Fi-only tablet can only connect through internet, so calling requires an app or service that works over data instead of a carrier network.
Key Takeaways
- Cellular tablets with a SIM card can make phone calls through your carrier, but most carriers charge extra for this feature or require a separate plan.
- Wi-Fi-only tablets can make calls through apps like Google Meet, WhatsApp, Skype, or Facebook Messenger, but both people need the same app installed.
- Your phone can share its internet connection with your tablet through a feature called tethering, which lets you use calling apps on the tablet when you are away from Wi-Fi.
- Some tablets let you forward calls from your phone number to the tablet using your carrier's call forwarding service, though this requires your phone to be set up first.
Cellular tablets and carrier phone plans
If your tablet has a SIM card slot, you can add a cellular plan from your carrier. Most carriers—AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others—offer tablet plans that include calling, though the cost and setup vary. Some carriers bundle tablet calling into an existing phone plan, while others charge a separate monthly fee for the tablet line.
The catch is that most carriers do not advertise tablet calling heavily, and some have phased it out. Call your carrier directly and ask whether they offer voice service on tablets. If they do, they will tell you the monthly cost and whether you need a separate phone number or can use your existing one. Some carriers only offer data plans for tablets and do not support calling at all.
If your tablet does have cellular service with calling, you make calls the same way you do on a phone—open the Phone app, dial the number, and tap call. The experience is identical to a phone call, and the person on the other end sees your phone number.
Making calls through internet apps on any tablet
Any tablet with internet access—Wi-Fi or cellular—can make calls through apps that use data instead of a phone network. The most common are Google Meet, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Zoom. These apps work on both iPad and Android tablets, and many are free to read.
The limitation is that both people need to have the same app installed. If you want to call someone using WhatsApp, they must have WhatsApp on their phone or tablet. If you want to use Google Meet, the other person needs Google Meet. This is different from a regular phone call, where anyone with any phone can receive your call.
To make a call through one of these apps, read it from your tablet's app store, create an account if needed, and find the person you want to call in your contacts. Tap the call button, and the app will connect you over the internet. The call quality depends on your Wi-Fi or data connection—a weak connection will cause choppy audio or dropped calls.
Using your phone's internet connection on your tablet
If you have a phone with a data plan, you can share that connection with your tablet through a feature called tethering or a personal hotspot. This turns your phone into a portable Wi-Fi router, so your tablet can use the phone's internet anywhere. Once connected, you can use any calling app on the tablet just as you would at home on Wi-Fi.
To set up tethering, go to your phone's settings and look for "Personal Hotspot" (on iPhone) or "Hotspot" (on Android). Turn it on, and your tablet will see it as a Wi-Fi network. Connect your tablet to it using the password your phone displays. Your phone will use its data plan for both devices, so if you have a limited data plan, tethering will count against your monthly limit.
This method works well if you are away from Wi-Fi and want to use a calling app on your tablet. It does not give you a phone number that others can call—they still need to reach you through the app itself.
Call forwarding from your phone to your tablet
If your phone has a calling plan, you can set up call forwarding through your carrier to send incoming calls to another number. Some people forward calls to a tablet number if the tablet has its own cellular plan. However, this is rarely practical because it requires your phone to be set up first, and most carriers charge extra for call forwarding.
A more common setup is to use your phone's built-in features to answer calls on multiple devices. On iPhone, this is called "Calls on Other Devices" and lets you answer incoming calls on your iPad using the same Apple ID. On Android, Google Voice offers a similar feature—calls to your Google Voice number can ring on multiple devices at once. Both of these require your phone to be nearby and connected to the internet, so they are not truly independent calling on the tablet.
Checking whether your tablet can receive a cellular plan
Before you contact your carrier, check whether your tablet has a SIM card slot. On iPad, look for a small tray on the edge of the device—if it is there, your iPad supports cellular. On Android tablets, check the specifications on the manufacturer's website or look in your tablet's settings under "About Tablet" or "Device Information" for "SIM Status." If there is no SIM slot and the settings show no SIM, your tablet is Wi-Fi-only and cannot use a carrier plan.
Even if your tablet has a SIM slot, your carrier may not offer voice service on it. Call your carrier's customer service line and tell them your tablet model and that you want to know about calling plans. They will tell you whether it is available and what it costs. If your carrier does not offer it, you will need to use one of the app-based methods instead.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume that because your tablet has a SIM slot, calling is automatically included. Many carriers sell data-only plans for tablets, and you have to specifically request voice service. Ask your carrier directly rather than guessing based on your tablet's hardware.
Do not rely on calling apps if the person you are calling does not have the same app. If you send them a WhatsApp call and they do not have WhatsApp, the call will not go through. Text or call them first to confirm they have the app, or use a different method.
Do not forget that tethering uses your phone's data plan. If you tether your tablet to your phone and use calling apps for hours, you may burn through your monthly data limit quickly. Check your plan's data allowance before you rely on tethering for regular calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone number on my tablet to make calls?
Only if your tablet has a cellular plan with your carrier and they assign it a phone number, or if you use call forwarding from your phone. Most calling apps on tablets use a different identifier (your app account) rather than a phone number, so the person you call will not see your regular phone number on their end.
Do I need Wi-Fi to make calls on a tablet?
Only if you are using a calling app. If your tablet has a cellular plan with voice service, you can make calls over the cellular network without Wi-Fi, just like a phone. If you are using tethering, you need your phone's data connection. If you are using an app like WhatsApp or Skype, you need either Wi-Fi or cellular data.
What is the cheapest way to make calls from a tablet?
Using a free calling app like Google Meet or WhatsApp over Wi-Fi costs nothing beyond your internet bill. If you need to call people who do not have these apps, tethering to your phone and using a calling app is usually cheaper than adding a separate cellular plan to your tablet.
Can I receive calls on my tablet if someone calls my phone number?
Not unless you set up call forwarding through your carrier or use a feature like Apple's "Calls on Other Devices." Call forwarding may cost extra, and "Calls on Other Devices" requires your phone to be nearby and connected to the internet. Most people use calling apps instead, which let them receive calls on the tablet directly.
Will calling on a tablet use my phone plan's minutes?
Only if the tablet has its own cellular plan with voice service. Calling through apps like WhatsApp or Skype uses data, not minutes, so it will not count against a phone plan's call limits. If you tether your tablet to your phone, the calls use data from your phone's plan, not voice minutes.