Where your iPad's phone number comes from

Your iPad does not have its own phone number the way a phone does. If your iPad can make calls or send text messages, it is using a phone number from one of two places: your iPhone (through a feature called Continuity), or a cellular plan tied directly to the iPad itself.

Most iPads do not have cellular service at all—they connect only to Wi-Fi. If yours can make calls or texts, you will see "Wi-Fi + Cellular" printed on the back, or you bought a cellular plan after purchase. The steps to change the number depend on which situation you are in.

Key Takeaways

  • If your iPad shows calls and texts from your iPhone, you are using Continuity, and changing the number means updating your iPhone's phone number instead.
  • If your iPad has its own cellular plan, you change the number by contacting your carrier—Apple cannot change it for you.
  • You can see whether your iPad has cellular service by going to Settings > General > About and looking for a phone number listed there.
  • If you want to stop using a phone number on your iPad, you can turn off Continuity or cancel the cellular plan without changing the underlying number.

Check whether your iPad has cellular service or uses your iPhone

Open Settings on your iPad. Tap General, then About. Scroll down and look for a field labeled Phone Number. If you see a number there, your iPad has its own cellular plan. If the field is blank or missing, your iPad is Wi-Fi only, or it is borrowing your iPhone's number through Continuity.

You can also check by going to Settings > Cellular. If this menu exists and shows a carrier name (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile), you have a cellular plan. If the Cellular menu does not appear at all, your iPad is Wi-Fi only.

Changing the number if you use Continuity with your iPhone

If your iPad does not have its own phone number but receives calls and texts, it is using Continuity—a feature that lets your iPad make calls and send messages using your iPhone's number. To change the number your iPad uses, you must change your iPhone's phone number instead.

Contact your carrier (the company that provides your iPhone service) and ask to change your phone number. They will walk you through the process, which usually takes a few minutes. Once your iPhone's number changes, your iPad will automatically use the new number the next time it connects to your iPhone over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

If you want to stop using Continuity without changing your number, go to Settings > FaceTime on your iPad and turn off Calls from iPhone. You can also turn it off on your iPhone at Settings > FaceTime > Calls from Other Devices.

Changing the number if your iPad has its own cellular plan

If your iPad has a cellular plan with its own phone number, you cannot change the number through Apple or the iPad itself. You must contact your carrier directly. Call the customer service number on your carrier's website or bill, or visit a store location in person.

Tell them you want to change your iPad's phone number. They will ask for your account details and the phone number you want to use instead (if you have a preference). Some carriers charge a small fee for this change; others do it free. The new number usually takes effect within a few hours.

Keep in mind that changing your iPad's phone number does not affect your iPhone, computer, or any other device. Each device with its own cellular plan has its own separate number.

What to do if you no longer want to use a phone number on your iPad

If you want to stop receiving calls and texts on your iPad without changing the underlying number, you have two options depending on your setup.

If you use Continuity, turn off Calls from iPhone in Settings > FaceTime on your iPad. Your iPhone will keep its number, but your iPad will no longer ring or show text messages.

If your iPad has its own cellular plan and you want to stop using it, contact your carrier and ask to cancel the plan. They will deactivate the number. If you want to keep the iPad but use it only on Wi-Fi, cancelling the plan is the simplest route.

Troubleshooting: Your iPad is not showing a phone number

If you expected your iPad to have a phone number but the About screen shows none, check whether Continuity is set up. Go to Settings > FaceTime and look for Calls from iPhone. If it is turned off, turn it on. Make sure your iPad and iPhone are signed into the same iCloud account and are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via Bluetooth.

If you bought a cellular iPad but never set up a plan, contact your carrier to add one. You can also check your carrier's website or app to see whether a plan is active on your account. Some carriers let you add a plan online; others require a phone call or store visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a different phone number on my iPad than on my iPhone?

Yes, but only if your iPad has its own cellular plan. If you use Continuity, your iPad always uses your iPhone's number. To have separate numbers, you need to buy a cellular plan for your iPad from your carrier.

Do I need to tell Apple when I change my iPad's phone number?

No. Apple does not manage phone numbers—your carrier does. Once your carrier changes the number, your iPad will reflect the change automatically within a few hours.

What happens to my old iPad number if I cancel the cellular plan?

Your carrier deactivates the number. You cannot use it again, and it may be reassigned to another customer after a waiting period. If you want to keep the number, do not cancel the plan.

Can I change my iPad's phone number online, or do I have to call my carrier?

Some carriers let you change the number through their website or app. Others require a phone call or in-person visit. Check your carrier's website first to see what options are available.

If I change my phone number on my iPhone, does it change on my iPad too?

If your iPad uses Continuity, yes—it will automatically use your new iPhone number. If your iPad has its own cellular plan, no—you must change that number separately through your carrier.