How do I make phone calls on my tablet -an easy guide(Updated)

How to make calls from Tablet?

How do I make phone calls on my Tablet?

Have you ever wondered if tablets are capable of making phone calls? Tablet users are often asking, ‘How do I make phone calls on my tablet’. This article will explain the phone-calling capabilities of tablets and how to make calls from tablet.

Since most tablets don’t support traditional cellular voice calls, to use your tablet as a phone all you need is a third-party calling app that makes use of Voice over IP (VoIP) technology and a pair of headphones. The former lets your tablet make a phone call and the latter helps you to avoid holding your 10-inch or so tablet to your ear. Following are some of the popular third-party calling apps you can use on your tablet to make and receive calls over the Internet.

FaceTime (for Apple devices): Apple’s FaceTime app makes it easy to make video calls on an iPhone or iPad over WiFi or cellular data.

Skype: You can use the Skype app to call or message any Skype user for free using your iPad, Kindle Fire HD, Android, or Windows tablet.

Google Voice: Google Voice allows for very high-quality VOIP calls. This service is good and very similar to Skype, with free calls to other Google Voice users.

Let’s now see how to make phone calls with tablet.

How to make phone calls from tablet iPad

iPad users are often asking- can I make a call from my tablet?

To make phone calls from tablet iPad, you will need an iPhone as well and you’ll first need to configure a few settings on the iPhone and iPad. After those configurations are set, making phone calls from the iPad will be easy. To make a phone call from an iPad first, you need to ensure that,

1. Both your iPhone and iPad are updated to iOS 8.1 or later;

2. Your iPad and iPhone are both logged into an iCloud account with the same Apple ID;

3. Both the devices are connected to the same WiFi network;

Now, before I describe how to make phone calls from tablet iPad, let’s first set up your iPhone to allow your iPad to make & receive phone calls.

Here is how to set up your iPhone to enable iPad calls on iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on the iPhone;

2. Tap ‘Phone’;

3. Tap ‘Calls on Other Devices’;

4. Toggle the iPad device to ON to allow making and receiving calls;

5. Exit Settings;

Now that your iPhone has been set up, get your answer below to your query – how do I make phone calls on my tablet iPad?

How do I make phone calls on my tablet iPad?

To make a phone call from an iPad,

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad and tap ‘FaceTime’;

2. Toggle ‘Calls from iPhone’ to ON;

3. Now, open the FaceTime app and tap a number from the column to the left, or tap the plus sign to enter a number for starting a new call;

4. After entering the number you want to call, tap Audio (for calling any type of phone) or Video (for Apple devices only) to begin your call;

5. You will notice near the top of the iPad screen, the calling message using iPhone;

6. Finish your call by tapping on the red phone icon;

How do I make phone calls from my Android Tablet?

Making phone calls directly from an Android tablet is not a built-in feature in most cases. This is because tablets typically lack the necessary hardware, such as cellular connectivity and a SIM card slot, to function as standalone phones. Then how do I make phone calls on my tablet Android in such a case?

You can use alternative methods to make phone calls with tablet. If you want to make phone calls from tablet Android, you can use apps that use Voice over IP (VoIP) technology like Skype or Google Voice, which allow you to make calls over the internet.

Here are the steps to follow which will help you to make phone calls from your Android tablet using VoIP Apps.

1. Download and install a calling app from your device’s respective app store. Popular VoIP Apps that allow you to make calls over the internet are Skype and Google Voice which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

(Skype is a popular choice because it not only facilitates video chats between computers but also allows users to make regular phone calls to landlines and mobile phones).

2. Once installed, set up the calling app by following the app’s instructions. Typically, you’ll need to sign in with your account, verify your phone number, and grant necessary permissions. These apps provide you with a phone number or allow you to use your existing mobile number for calling purposes.

3. Your tablet may not have a traditional earpiece speaker for voice calls. Therefore, consider using a Bluetooth headset or connecting the tablet to a Bluetooth speaker for improved audio quality during calls.

4. With the VoIP calling app set up ensure your tablet has a stable Internet connection (via cellular data or WiFi).

5. Now, Open the app and search for contacts or enter the phone number you wish to call and place your call.

Wi-Fi vs. Data Plans: What to Keep in Mind for Tablet Calling

When deciding whether to rely on Wi-Fi or a cellular data plan for making calls from your tablet, there are several important factors to weigh before you ditch your smartphone or standard phone plan.

1. Internet Connection Availability
Think about where you’ll be placing most of your calls. If you spend most of your time in locations with reliable Wi-Fi—such as home, work, or even your favorite local café—you can comfortably use VoIP calling apps without hassle. Wi-Fi is typically more stable and doesn’t eat into any limited data allowances.

2. Data Consumption and Costs
Using a data plan allows you to make calls from almost anywhere, but it comes at a price. Data-only plans don’t include traditional talk or text, so every voice or video call through your calling app will subtract from your monthly data allowance. Keep in mind that video calls, in particular, can quickly drain your data, while text-based messaging uses much less.

To put it in perspective:

Video calls can use hundreds of megabytes in an hour.
Regular voice calls use significantly less but still add up if you’re a frequent caller.

3. Plan Flexibility and Price
Not all mobile carriers offer flexible or affordable data-only plans for tablets. Some of the options from major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon can be pricier per gigabyte compared to conventional smartphone bundles. Compare what you’d pay for a data-only plan versus sticking with a basic phone plan alongside tablet Wi-Fi use.

4. Freedom vs. Limits
Wi-Fi lets you make calls at no extra cost wherever you have access, but you’ll be limited in mobility. On the other hand, cellular data opens up the freedom to place calls on the go, as long as you’re within coverage—but you’ll need to keep a close eye on your data usage to avoid overage fees.

In summary:
If your main goal is to save money and you’re usually somewhere with good Wi-Fi, you can likely get by without a separate cellular plan for your tablet. But if you need the flexibility to make and receive calls anywhere, a data plan may be worth considering—just be sure to read the fine print and estimate your expected usage so you don’t get surprised by the bill.

Can using tablet for calls help to save money compared to buying a smartphone?

Yes—it can be a wallet-friendly alternative. If you’re not keen on investing in a new smartphone or a hefty cell phone plan, using your tablet for calls is a practical workaround. Apps like Skype or Google Voice allow you to make voice and video calls over WiFi, so you’re not reliant on a cellular network or tied to monthly voice plan charges.

Here’s how using your tablet for calls can save you money:

No extra phone plan needed: With a stable WiFi connection and a reliable VoIP app, you can make and receive calls without the monthly cost of a traditional cell phone plan.
Pay-as-you-go flexibility: Some apps let you purchase credits or opt for minimal pay-as-you-go options, so you only pay for what you use.
Avoid new hardware purchases: If you already own a tablet, there’s no need to spring for a separate smartphone just to make occasional calls.

For many users—especially those who make most of their calls from home or places with free WiFi—this approach covers all the essentials at a fraction of the price of standard mobile service.

If you travel often or need to be reachable on the go without reliable WiFi, you might still want to consider a cellular-enabled tablet or even a basic mobile phone. But for those whose needs are modest, using your tablet as a makeshift phone is a savvy, cost-effective solution.

Frequently asked questions

Now that you know how to make calls from tablet let me also address some of the queries often made related to using the tablet as a phone.

Can a tablet be used as a cell phone?

After you have established an internet connection, you need only two things for using the tablet as a phone –

i. An app that makes use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology;

ii. A pair of headphones;

How do I make a call from my Samsung tablet?

To make phone calls with tablet Samsung select the Phone app from the home screen and then enter the desired phone number in the Dial-pad and select the Call icon.

Do all Android tablets have SIM cards?

Not all tablets support a SIM card. Some tablets have a SIM card slot which allows them to connect to cellular networks for data and voice communication. This feature is commonly found in tablets designed for mobile connectivity. It is, therefore, important to check the specifications of a specific tablet model to see if it supports a SIM card.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using data-only plans for tablet calling?

When it comes to making calls from your tablet, you might wonder whether a data-only plan is worth considering. These plans, as the name suggests, offer internet connectivity without traditional talk or text minutes. Let’s unpack the pros and cons:

Advantages:

Internet Anywhere: With a data-only plan, your tablet isn’t restricted to WiFi hotspots. It connects to the internet using cellular networks, allowing you to make calls and send messages via apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Google Voice, even on the go.
No Unused Voice Minutes: If you rarely use traditional call services, you’re not paying for minutes you don’t need.
Flexibility: Data-only SIMs can be used in tablets, mobile hotspots, or even some laptops—great if you switch between devices or travel frequently.

Disadvantages:

Higher Cost Per Gigabyte: Data-only plans from major carriers can be pricey, and the amount of data provided may be limited for the cost. For example, some entry-level plans might offer only a few gigabytes of data for a monthly fee that isn’t substantially less than a full phone plan.
App-Based Calling Only: Since there’s no support for regular voice calls or SMS, all your communication relies on internet-based applications. This can be inconvenient if the person you’re contacting isn’t also using an app like Skype or Google Voice.
Data Consumption: Making video calls can quickly eat up your data allowance. If you make frequent video calls, monitor your usage to avoid overage charges or slowdowns.

In summary, data-only plans can be a practical choice for tablet users who mostly communicate through internet apps and don’t require traditional voice calling. However, it’s important to compare plan costs, assess your data needs, and ensure your device supports the plan you’re considering.

You may also like to read: What is the difference between an iPad and a Tablet

Conclusion

In the article above it is clear from the answer to the query ‘How do I make phone calls on my tablet’ that it is easily possible to use the tablet as a phone to make and receive calls over the Internet using a WiFi connection and a third-party calling app such as Skype or Google Voice, if it does not support cellular voice calls.

However, it is important to check the specifications of a specific tablet model to see if it supports a SIM card. You can check this by looking in the settings or contacting the manufacturer for more information. This is important because by inserting a SIM card into your tablet, you can use its built-in Phone app to make and receive calls.

You may also like to read: How to fix a Hacked Android Phone

Tech-addict

How do I make phone calls on my tablet – an easy guide(Updated)