This possible? And can one use an app for this and with specific phone number? I have IPhone 6 plus, but prefer one device and am thinking of the Mini4.
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Mini4 as phone?
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No I think your iPhone has to be connected for it. My iPhone is connected to my mini 4 and when I receive a phone call, it says "incoming call from xxx on your iPhone."
It won't let me dial out though. Of course you can use it as a phone only if you use FaceTime audio and video.
I think you can dial out through the facetime app. I definitely know that you can tap on phone numbers and it will call using the iphone over wifi.
I misplaced my phone a few days ago, and had an incoming. I answered it on my Mini 4. I was in a quiet room luckily and used it as a speaker phone. It worked quite well.
Do some searches. This topic has been covered 100 times. There are many good voip apps in the app store that can make the Mini almost as much of a phone/texting/web data device as an iPhone. Before someone posts the shot of someone holding an iPad up to their ear (which has also been overdone) 
, headphones or earbuds with microphone (or even a bluetooth headset) work as good as using the same with an iPhone in your pocket.
Texting works exactly the same... and works with both Apple hardware and non-Apple hardware, ANY cell phones (not just iPhones).
Internet browsing is arguably better because of the added screen real estate.
Phone use is about as good, especially if the bulk of your phone usage is calling out. Incoming calls are a little more challenging as it's not just a matter of pulling it up to your ear (you may have to plug those earbuds in) but if most calls can go to voice mail and/or if you are basically ready to make & receive calls, it can work pretty well. And no limits here: call cellular or land lines, not limited to calling Apple iPhones only, etc.
Service cost can be much less than any iPhone contract. If you spend most of your time in a free wifi zone or don't need to make or take calls in brief times when outside of such zones, your annual mobile "phone" bill can drop to zero without really feeling like you gave up anything.
I've done this very thing since iPad Mini 1, and it works fine. Originally, I used the terrific Talkatone app when it could leverage Google Voice which pretty much gave me free phone & texting functions. However, once Google decided to cut that use off, I begrudgingly tried- of all things- the Comcast Voice app and it turned out to be quite good for covering the same. Paired with the AT&T 1GB or 3 Months cellular plan for $25 and I have full voice, texting & Internet use on the Mini via wifi and cellular for- at most- $100 per year (yes, that's "year" not "month")
, headphones or earbuds with microphone (or even a bluetooth headset) work as good as using the same with an iPhone in your pocket.Texting works exactly the same... and works with both Apple hardware and non-Apple hardware, ANY cell phones (not just iPhones).
Internet browsing is arguably better because of the added screen real estate.
Phone use is about as good, especially if the bulk of your phone usage is calling out. Incoming calls are a little more challenging as it's not just a matter of pulling it up to your ear (you may have to plug those earbuds in) but if most calls can go to voice mail and/or if you are basically ready to make & receive calls, it can work pretty well. And no limits here: call cellular or land lines, not limited to calling Apple iPhones only, etc.
Service cost can be much less than any iPhone contract. If you spend most of your time in a free wifi zone or don't need to make or take calls in brief times when outside of such zones, your annual mobile "phone" bill can drop to zero without really feeling like you gave up anything.
I've done this very thing since iPad Mini 1, and it works fine. Originally, I used the terrific Talkatone app when it could leverage Google Voice which pretty much gave me free phone & texting functions. However, once Google decided to cut that use off, I begrudgingly tried- of all things- the Comcast Voice app and it turned out to be quite good for covering the same. Paired with the AT&T 1GB or 3 Months cellular plan for $25 and I have full voice, texting & Internet use on the Mini via wifi and cellular for- at most- $100 per year (yes, that's "year" not "month")
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with wifi calling iOS 9 and os x el Capitan, you can use your ipad to place real cellular calls as long as you are in range of a wifi network, and if your carrier supports it.
iOS 8 required the iPad and iPhone to be powered on and in range of each other and connected to the same wifi network
iOS 9 no longer requires the iPhone to be at the same location or even turned on
so in a bind , when your battery dies and you are away from power, you can no longer be a wall hugger like samsung says and continue to make and receive calls on any other device that is
connected to wifi and iCloud, even an apple watch.
the apple watch won't allow dictation without the phone on, but it still can do other things, because it now has all your wifi passwords and can continue to connect to known wifi networks without the phone being around.. you just can't connect the apple watch to a wifi network that it doesn't know about.
iOS 8 required the iPad and iPhone to be powered on and in range of each other and connected to the same wifi network
iOS 9 no longer requires the iPhone to be at the same location or even turned on
so in a bind , when your battery dies and you are away from power, you can no longer be a wall hugger like samsung says and continue to make and receive calls on any other device that is
connected to wifi and iCloud, even an apple watch.
the apple watch won't allow dictation without the phone on, but it still can do other things, because it now has all your wifi passwords and can continue to connect to known wifi networks without the phone being around.. you just can't connect the apple watch to a wifi network that it doesn't know about.
I read the OP post...
...bolded piece as meaning he would like to make one device work, rather than make a Mini work with an iPhone. I don't know how to read "but prefer one device" any other way.
Yes, I was at home on wifi- also it's a cellular iPad but no, my phone was outside in my car in the garage. So I'm not sure what medium my iPad Mini 4 was using, but it worked like a champ.
So, is there something wrong in the background of this picture? I don't get itThe PadPhone...
I want to do this myself, but honestly the one thing keeping me from it is the camera. But with a cellular mini, I don't see why not.
Phone calls:
The magic jack app gives you a phone number for 15$ a year. The issue is that you can't block calls or send/receive MMSs.
FaceTime (for people with iPhones, using your iCloud email address)
Google hangouts (for users with the hangout app on android, calls with your email address)
Messaging:
Kind of depends on what your friends use. I get by with:
Google voice (haven't used this in a while, but it's one I'm throwing out there)
Google hangouts (most of my noniphone friends use this, calls and messages with your email)
iMessage (call and text any iPhone user with an iCloud email)
Phone calls:
The magic jack app gives you a phone number for 15$ a year. The issue is that you can't block calls or send/receive MMSs.
FaceTime (for people with iPhones, using your iCloud email address)
Google hangouts (for users with the hangout app on android, calls with your email address)
Messaging:
Kind of depends on what your friends use. I get by with:
Google voice (haven't used this in a while, but it's one I'm throwing out there)
Google hangouts (most of my noniphone friends use this, calls and messages with your email)
iMessage (call and text any iPhone user with an iCloud email)
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I did this for two years. I used Google Hangouts to make and receive calls on my Mini 2, and the Google Voice app for text messaging. I also coerced almost everyone I talk to into getting the free messaging app LINE and mostly corresponded with people on there.
After two years I just got sick of it though. Sometimes I just wanted to take a quick peek at something while in line at the supermarket, or be able to pull my phone out of my pocket for a quick phone call. But instead I would have to grab the Mini out of my purse and feel like I was making a big public event out of it since the thing is so huge compared to a phone.
When I had the Mini I paid $20 a month for 1 GB of data on T-Mobile, but they don't cut you off when you hit your limit, they just throttle you. Their throttling in my area is quite generous (I usually still had 4G speeds) so it didn't impact me too much when I went over my cap.
I finally gave up and sold my iPad Mini 2 to my brother and bought an iPad Air 2 from the refurb store, as well as an iPhone 6s. Instead of trying to lug an iPad Mini everywhere, I use the Air 2 at home and the 6s when out and about.
Thanks to Continuity I rarely have to pick up my phone at home so it feels less like I have two devices and more like I have a bigger screen for at home and a smaller screen for on-the-go.
I'm on the $30 T-Mobile plan that has unlimited texting and 5 GB of high-speed data (you're throttled but not cut off after 5 GB) and 100 minutes, so yes, I am paying $10 more per month than I was before, but I find the increase in convenience to be worth it.
There's definitely no harm in going for it, I certainly made it work for two years, but just be aware that ultimately the inconvenience it can cause may make you wishing for your phone again.
After two years I just got sick of it though. Sometimes I just wanted to take a quick peek at something while in line at the supermarket, or be able to pull my phone out of my pocket for a quick phone call. But instead I would have to grab the Mini out of my purse and feel like I was making a big public event out of it since the thing is so huge compared to a phone.
When I had the Mini I paid $20 a month for 1 GB of data on T-Mobile, but they don't cut you off when you hit your limit, they just throttle you. Their throttling in my area is quite generous (I usually still had 4G speeds) so it didn't impact me too much when I went over my cap.
I finally gave up and sold my iPad Mini 2 to my brother and bought an iPad Air 2 from the refurb store, as well as an iPhone 6s. Instead of trying to lug an iPad Mini everywhere, I use the Air 2 at home and the 6s when out and about.
Thanks to Continuity I rarely have to pick up my phone at home so it feels less like I have two devices and more like I have a bigger screen for at home and a smaller screen for on-the-go.
I'm on the $30 T-Mobile plan that has unlimited texting and 5 GB of high-speed data (you're throttled but not cut off after 5 GB) and 100 minutes, so yes, I am paying $10 more per month than I was before, but I find the increase in convenience to be worth it.
There's definitely no harm in going for it, I certainly made it work for two years, but just be aware that ultimately the inconvenience it can cause may make you wishing for your phone again.
Yeah, I dropped my cell plan and went to ipad mini 4 only a month ago.
For service I am using T-Mobile's free 200MB/month. Last month I used 100MB.
I transferred my phone number to Google Hangouts for $20 and use hangouts for calls in and out.
For friends/wife on Apple products, I use facetime voice for calls
For apple people I use Messages for texting and for non-apple messages I use hangouts.
Oh, as long as I am in a wifi area, I can use my old iphone 5 (with no cell/data plan) for calls and messages. It basically acts in parallel with the ipad.
I am always in wifi areas so this all works well for me.
For service I am using T-Mobile's free 200MB/month. Last month I used 100MB.
I transferred my phone number to Google Hangouts for $20 and use hangouts for calls in and out.
For friends/wife on Apple products, I use facetime voice for calls
For apple people I use Messages for texting and for non-apple messages I use hangouts.
Oh, as long as I am in a wifi area, I can use my old iphone 5 (with no cell/data plan) for calls and messages. It basically acts in parallel with the ipad.
I am always in wifi areas so this all works well for me.
Thanks. Looks like google hangouts and google voice are best choice? But what about picture messages (mms) and emergency 911 calls? I guess I would still have to carry my Iphone along with my Mini when away from home.
When using Google, does it work for over cellular and to people who don't have apple product?
I make a few calls a month, but do txt quite a bit. I wont mind placing mini to ear or using bluetooth earpiece. I want a bigger screen when I am home and away than my Iphone 6+
When using Google, does it work for over cellular and to people who don't have apple product?
I make a few calls a month, but do txt quite a bit. I wont mind placing mini to ear or using bluetooth earpiece. I want a bigger screen when I am home and away than my Iphone 6+
I'm not sure of google voice, but hangouts sends mms. And yes, both of these over cellular. I would suggest downloading those now and give them a spin before you go ahead and go forward with cancelling your phone plan.
As for 911, that's a good question that I don't have an answer for.
If you are in the U.S., every cell phone provider is legally obligated to let you call 911 on their phones even if that phone dos not have active service on it. When I was using my Mini as a phone I got an old Verizon flip phone that wasn't active and kept it off and in my car. It was something I kept for emergency purposes that I could turn on and use to call 911 should a problem ever arise. Just something to keep in mind.
Tried sending txt with google hangouts, but person sent it to didnt get it?? It did work with google voice though...strange
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Ok got ipad mini and have google voice and google hangout set up. But not getting some messages from iphone people? When on LTE. I get them on iphone