Question re: Default Calling App iPadOS 26

[Canyda]

Having recently bought a new iPad Air, I decided to put the beta on my old iPad Mini 5 to play with it.

Obv, the Phone app is now something that's available on iPadOS 26.

I noticed in the Phone settings that you can set the default calling app to FaceTime Audio.

So does that mean if I make a call on my Mini, it will force the connection to be FT Audio with the other person (assuming they are on an iPhone/iPad) even if their end isn't set to default to FT Audio? That's what I'm thinking given FT Audio is a separate "process" within the iPhone architecture already, entirely separate from cellular calls.

I'm also assuming here that I need to be in close proximity of my iPhone for all this to work and basically my iPad Mini is operating as a proxy for my iPhone?

 

[BigBlur]

So does that mean if I make a call on my Mini, it will force the connection to be FT Audio with the other person (assuming they are on an iPhone/iPad) even if their end isn't set to default to FT Audio? That's what I'm thinking given FT Audio is a separate "process" within the iPhone architecture already, entirely separate from cellular calls.

No, this is mainly for when you tap a telephone number/link, like on a web page or in an app. It'll open it up or dial it with the default app. It does not force the other end to use FaceTime Audio. If they don't use FaceTime, the call will fail.

I'm also assuming here that I need to be in close proximity of my iPhone for all this to work and basically my iPad Mini is operating as a proxy for my iPhone?

The iPad can do FaceTime Audio natively; your phone does not need to be nearby. The iPad cannot do Cellular calls natively though, so that one will require your phone to be nearby unless your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling.

 

[Canyda]

@BigBlur Thanks for the clarification. Appreciate it.