iOS 9.2 added support for AT&T's NumberSync feature, which is pretty cool because it lets you send and receive calls to your AT&T phone number on your iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch even when your iPhone is on a different Wi-Fi network or shut off. Setting it up takes a few steps, but don't worry because The Mac Observer worked through the process for you.
We're setting up NumberSync on an iPad, but you can use an iPod touch or your Mac, too.
NumberSync lets you use your iPad and iPod touch like your iPhone
NumberSync Compatibility
Just because you want to use NumberSync doesn't mean you can. That said, the odds are in your favor because the list of compatible devices is pretty long. AT&T says your iOS devices need iOS 9.0 or higher, and iOS 9.2 is recommended. Your iPhone, however, needs iOS 9.2 before you can enable NumberSync on other devices.
- iPad 4
- iPad Air or iPad Air 2
- All iPad mini models
- 5th generation iPod touch
- 2015 iPod touch
- Apple Watch running watchOS 2.0 or higher
- Macs running OS X El Capitan
- 2014 and later MacBook
- Mid 2012 and later MacBook Air
- mid 2012 and later MacBook Pro
- late 2012 and later iMac
- late 2012 and later Mac mini
- late 2013 and later Mac Pro
The iPad Pro isn't on AT&T's officially supported device list, but our tests show it works just fine. In fact, we used a 128GB Wi-Fi only iPad Pro as our NumberSync test device.
Get Up to Date
First up, you need to update your iPhone to iOS 9.2. Shortly after the update finishes and your iPhone is back up and running you should see a dialog saying there's a Carrier Settings Update available. Go ahead at tap Update because you can't set up NumberSync without it in place.
NumberSync should work on your iPad and iPod touch with iOS 9.0 installed, but it's a good idea to update to iOS 9.2 for better compatibility.
Once you're up to date with iOS 9.2 and AT&T's Carrier Settings Update, it's time to pay a visit to FaceTime's settings on your iPhone and the other devices you're planning on using with NumberSync.
Match Up FaceTime Settings
NumberSync won't work if you don't have matching FaceTime settings on your iPhone and other devices. Make sure you use your iCloud login Apple ID because that's what AT&T is looking for to properly route calls to and from all of your devices.
Next, make sure your FaceTime Caller ID is set to your iPhone phone number on all your devices. That's another detail you need to get right for NumberSync to work.
Make sure the FaceTime Caller login and Caller ID settings match on all of your devices
With FaceTime set up on your iPad, it's time to head back over to your iPhone.
Add Devices to your NumberSync List
- Set up Wi-Fi Calling. Here's TMO's how-to on getting up and running.
- In Settings > Phone set Calls on Other Devices to On
- Choose which iOS devices and Macs to use with NumberSync
- Tap Add Wi-Fi Calling for Other Devices
After turning on Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone, enable Wi-Fi calling for other devices
- Tap Continue to dismiss the NumberSync and TTY warning screens
- Tap OK
Now head back over to your iPad again where you should see a dialog on your iOS device asking if you want to turn on Wi-Fi calling. Tap Turn On.
Enable Wi-Fi calling on your iOS device to use AT&T's NumberSync
- Tap Enable to display a confirmation code
- Enter the confirmation code displayed on your iPad in the pop-up dialog on your iPhone
- Tap OK to dismiss the Emergency Address Updated dialog
Enter the displayed code into your iPhone to activate Wi-Fi calling and NumberSync
Success! Now you can send and receive phone calls from your iOS device even when your iPhone isn't nearby.
How to make a call from your iPad
Placing and receiving a call with NumberSync works the same as using FaceTime to make and answer calls, but with an added bonus: you can answer calls made to your phone number even if your iPhone is shut off or on a different network than your iPad.
- Tap FaceTime
- Tap Audio
Tap Audio in FaceTime to start a phone call from your iOS device
- Enter the name or phone number you want to call
Enter the number you want to call, then tap the phone icon
- Tap the phone icon to start the call
Now your iPad is pretty much the same as your iPhone, but bigger
Getting up and running with NumberSync isn't exactly a one-step process, but once it's done, it just works. Now go call your friends and tell them all about how you live in the future.