Can You Call 911 on an iPad?

It is possible to call 911 from an iPad, but you have to get everything set up before you need emergency help.

You’ll need an iPhone signed in to the same Apple ID as your iPad. From there, you’ll need to adjust settings on both devices. We’ll cover the details below, with instructions for calling over a mobile line and for calling over Wi-Fi.

The best way to call 911 emergency services from an iPad is to pair your devices, so the tablet can use your phone’s voice line to place the call.

How to set up your iPhone for iPad calls

Follow these instructions from Apple to set up Wi-Fi calling on your phone:

How to set up your iPad to make calls

Next, you’ll need to prepare your iPad. Follow these instructions from Apple:

How to set up Wi-Fi calling on Apple devices

The best way to reach emergency services when your mobile network is down or unavailable is to set up Wi-Fi calling on your Apple-connected devices.

You might need to download the Phone app on your iPad. You can find it by searching “Phone” in the App Store. It will be the first result and will be listed as a utility.

Follow these instructions from Apple to set up Wi-Fi calling on your phone:

Next, you need to add your iPad to Wi-Fi calling. Follow these steps from Apple:

From there, prepare your iPad for Wi-Fi calls in two simple steps:

Congrats, you’re all set up! You can now place a call with your iPad over Wi-Fi in the same way you would using a mobile connection.

You can call any contact, click to call from a web browser, or dial a new number (like 911) in case of an emergency.

How to text 911 from an iPad

The best way to send text messages from an iPad is to sign into iMessages on both your devices. Just find the Messages app in Settings and turn on iMessage. On your iPhone, make sure Text Message Forwarding is toggled on, and select your iPad from the list. Photos, videos, texts, and group threads will sync across devices automatically.

When your devices are paired, you can try to text 911 on your iPad using the Messages app. Depending on where you are, though, you could get a “bounce back” message. That occurs when your local emergency services aren’t set up for SMS texting.

If you’re dealing with certain health issues or security situations, you might need to pay for a personal emergency response system or medical alert system. These setups can reach out to emergency services on your behalf, even when you can’t dial a phone.

You can get in-home units that come with a wearable button or mobile wearables from companies like ADT Health, LifeStation, or Medical Guardian Mobile. You can also get phones designed for seniors, with health features built in.

If you’re tech-savvy and already in the Apple ecosystem, though, just use an Apple Watch you already have (or invest in an inexpensive Apple SE watch). Features like fall detection and emergency calling come standard, and using them is free with your connected iPhone. If you won’t always be near your iPhone, you can buy a cellular watch and add a data line to your mobile phone plan for $10 to $15 per month.

My take: Pair your devices for calling, but have a backup plan

I love my big iPad screen for watching movies, reading (either books or sheet music), and following along to yoga and exercise videos. I have everything set up to use my iPad for 911 calls, too, just in case I need help and can’t get to my phone.

All my devices are also connected to my fast fiber internet connection and signed into my Apple ID, so it’s all pretty seamless.

If you have both an iPad and an iPhone, it makes sense to pair them so you can reach emergency help from either device. But if your health puts you at risk of a dangerous fall or you need extra security, invest in a dedicated personal safety system or a wearable device such as an Apple Watch.

FAQ about emergency calling on an iPad