iPadOS 26 Adds These Four Apple Apps to Your iPad

[icwhatudidthere]

I wonder if this could be enabled — is it a technical limitation or just a software/registration restriction? If it’s not possible on current iPads, I hope future models could support proper standalone phone functionality.

That could be a double edged sword, especially if carriers start seeing it as a phone and requiring a phone plan instead of the usually cheaper data-only plan.

 

[AppliedMicro]

is it a technical limitation or just a software/registration restriction? If it’s not possible on current iPads, I hope future models could support proper standalone phone functionality.

It‘s a monetarily-motivated (product-differentiating) marketing restriction.

 

[racerhomie]

I wonder if this could be enabled — is it a technical limitation or just a software/registration restriction? If it’s not possible on current iPads, I hope future models could support proper standalone phone functionality.

It’s just a software restriction and Carrier Deal Apple made to not have Native Cellular Calling

 

[Electroni]

I wonder if this could be enabled — is it a technical limitation or just a software/registration restriction? If it’s not possible on current iPads, I hope future models could support proper standalone phone functionality.

I am pretty sure this is a software limitation. Cellular Android tablets can do this.

I have actually received SMS on an iPad before but they were all messages that came from the mobile carrier. “Regular” texts are blocked.

Just another one of those things that Apple artificially disables on an iPad.

You also can’t access field test mode on a non-jailbroken iPad.

 

[Electroni]

It‘s a monetarily-motivated (product-differentiating) marketing restriction.

Exactly!

 

[AppliedMicro]

and Carrier Deal Apple made to not have Native Cellular Calling

I don’t think that many iPads are sold by cellular carriers - and I’m sure many carriers would be happy to have phone functionality: there’s good money to be made from charged calls. Or people that pay for calling - but rarely use it, due to just being a secondary device to make calls. Last but not least, Apple could selectively restrict capabilities through carriers profiles.

I think it’s rather Apple that wants to sell iPhones to tablet users.
The iPhone is intended as the centrepiece of the ecosystem.

Same reason why Apple watches do not work with iPads.

 

[racerhomie]

I don’t think that many iPads are sold by cellular carriers - and I’m sure many carriers would be happy to have phone functionality: there’s good money to be made from charged calls. Or people that pay for calling - but rarely use it, due to just being a secondary device to make calls. Last but not least, Apple could selectively restrict capabilities through carriers profiles.

I think it’s rather Apple that wants to sell iPhones to tablet users.
The iPhone is intended as the centrepiece of the ecosystem.

Same reason why Apple watches do not work with iPads.

This was the case in the early 2010s. I don’t know if Carrier deals Apple made has changed much. Yes, Apple also has incentive to keep Cellular Calling iPhone exclusive