Using iPad Mini A17 as an iPhone with iPadOS 26

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Using iPad Mini A17 as an iPhone with iPadOS 26

With iPadOS 26, the “Phone” app has also come to the iPad. Currently, I use an iPhone SE 2020, iPad 10th Gen, and MacBook Air M1, along with AirPods Pro 2 as headphones. I think my ecosystem is sufficient, and I spend most of my time on my Mac or iPad. I'm planning to buy a new iPhone, but due to taxes in Turkey, iPhone prices are 2 or 2.5 times higher. At this point, I'm considering getting a Cellular-enabled iPad Mini A17 and using it as a phone. If I do buy one, I plan to get a large-screen iPhone, and the iPad Mini fits in my pocket, is easy to carry, and I can answer phone calls with my AirPods. Apps like WhatsApp and Instagram have finally been released as iPadOS compatible, so I think any app that could be on an iPhone is available (all the apps I use are available on the iPad). I think the biggest disadvantage is the absence of NFC, because in Turkey, we use NFC to register public transportation cards, and Apple Pay is not available in Turkey. What do you think about this idea? Is it feasible? Would it be a regrettable decision? I'm curious to hear your thoughts as well.

iPad, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 18, 2025 1:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2025

Level 10

300,860 points

Oct 26, 2025 4:50 AM in response to emirhanozturk

To be absolutely clear - an iPad, whether a Cellular model or not, is not capable of directly accessing Cellular Voice or Messaging features. An iPad with Cellular connectivity alone can only access IP-data services. An iPad alone is not, and can never be, a standalone substitute for an iPhone. While iPadOS 26 introduces the Phone App, this App merely simplifies access to calling features of an associated iPhone.

Use iPhone to allow calls and text messages on your iPad - Apple Support

When paired with an iPhone, the capabilities of iPad significantly broaden to include access to Cellular Voice and Messaging services of the associated iPhone - relayed to the iPad over WiFi using Apple’s continuity features. For the most part, an iPad using Continuity is able to access Cellular calling features, of the iPhone, when both the iPad an iPhone are in close physical proximity and are connected to the same WiFi network - but this is not the end of the story.

More information about Continuity and the relevant Cellular services can be found here:

Continuity

Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices – Apple Support

SMS/MMS Messaging

Forward text messages from your iPhone to other devices - Apple Support

WiFi Calling

Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support

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Answer 2

AlWeir

Level 5

4,658 points

Oct 25, 2025 10:48 AM in response to emirhanozturk

Here is a breakdown of how the iPad Mini (A17 Pro) with iPadOS 26 can function as a phone replacement:

1. The iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

Small Form Factor: The iPad Mini (A17 Pro), released in late 2024, is the smallest and most portable iPad, making it the closest a tablet gets to a phone-like device.
Cellular Connectivity: Like its predecessors, it is available in a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, which supports 5G and uses an eSIM (and/or physical SIM depending on region/model) for a data connection, allowing it to connect to the internet anywhere.

2. iPadOS 26 Phone Capabilities

iPadOS 26, released in late 2025, brought major changes that enhance the iPad's ability to act as a phone:

The Phone App: iPadOS 26 finally introduced a dedicated Phone app to the iPad. This app supports features like:
- Call Screening (similar to Live Voicemail).
- Hold Assist.
- Live Translation during calls.
- Making and receiving calls directly.
Making and Receiving Calls:
- Wi-Fi + Cellular Model: With the new Phone app and a cellular data plan, you can make and receive calls on the iPad Mini using its cellular connection and the assigned cellular number/eSIM.
- Continuity/Handoff: If you still own an iPhone, the iPad Mini can also use the traditional Continuity feature to relay calls and texts through your iPhone when they are on the same Wi-Fi or nearby. However, the dedicated Phone app makes using the cellular iPad Mini as your primary phone line much more direct.
Messaging: Standard functions like iMessage and SMS/MMS (via the cellular number on the Wi-Fi + Cellular model or via Continuity) work directly through the Messages app.

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