The iPad Air 13 M2 does not make phone calls by itself unless it is a cellular model with an eSIM or SIM and a plan that allows it, and most calls on an iPad come through the iPhone or FaceTime. If calls on the iPad do not ring, check on the iPhone that Settings, Phone, Calls on Other Devices is on and the iPad is allowed; both must use the same Apple Account and be on Wi-Fi.
The checks in more detail
FaceTime must be signed in on the iPad, and Do Not Disturb or a Focus can silence it. Apple's page for calls that fail lists Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, blocked numbers and carrier settings. For messages, Settings, Messages: iMessage on and Send and Receive showing your number and email. A missing number on the iPad means messages to the number arrive only on the iPhone. If you use an iPad with a Magic Keyboard, notifications still appear on the screen. Restart both devices and update.
If the iPad rings but you cannot be heard, check the microphone permission and that nothing covers the microphone, which sits on the top edge. Sign out and in of iMessage if messages stop. Apple's Continuity features hand off calls, messages and tasks between devices, and they depend on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the same Apple Account; a missing Handoff setting is a quiet cause of calls not following you. In Settings, General, AirPlay and Handoff, make sure Handoff is on, and on the iPhone allow calls on the iPad.
If you recently changed your Apple Account password, sign in again on each device so that the services reconnect. Check that Wi-Fi Calling is on for your iPhone if you want iPad calls to work over Wi-Fi, because the iPhone relays the call and needs to be reachable on the same network or on its own mobile connection. If the iPhone is off or in Airplane Mode, the iPad cannot take the call.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) cannot make calls or send messages”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Calls on Other Devices off
What separates it The iPad does not ring
How to confirm Allow the iPad on the iPhone
- 2
Different Apple Accounts
What separates it No sync
How to confirm Use the same account
- 3
iMessage addresses missing
What separates it Messages to your number do not arrive on the iPad
How to confirm Add the number in Send and Receive
- 4
Do Not Disturb
What separates it Silent alerts
How to confirm Turn it off
- 5
A microphone blocked
What separates it The other person cannot hear you
How to confirm Check the top-edge microphone
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the iPad is cellular
- The Apple Account on each device
- The Send and Receive list
- Whether Do Not Disturb is on
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck Calls on Other Devices
ReversibleOn the iPhone.
Use the same Apple Account
ReversibleOn both.
Check iMessage addresses
ReversibleIn Messages settings.
Turn off Do Not Disturb
ReversibleIn Control Center.
Restart both devices
ReversibleAnd update.
Check the microphone
ReversibleIf you cannot be heard.
Note what you find
ReversibleWrite down the symptom, the date and the iPadOS or iOS version so that Apple Support or the developer can see the pattern.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- iPhone relay
- Calls go through the iPhone.
- Send and Receive
- It lists your addresses.
- A record helps
- Dates and versions speed up support.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If iMessage will not activate, contact Apple Support
- !If calls never ring after the checks, ask Apple
- !Check the account
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Can the iPad Air make phone calls?+
Through an iPhone or FaceTime.
Why do my texts not reach the iPad?+
The number may not be in Send and Receive.
Does it need cellular?+
Not for iMessage.
Where is the microphone?+
On the top edge.