So You Want Your iPad to Stop Crashing Your Movie Nights with Incoming Calls? How to Disconnect Your iPhone and Regain Your Sanity (and Popcorn)
Let's face it, there's nothing quite as mood-killing as settling into a good movie on your iPad, only to be jolted out of your cinematic bliss by the shrill ring of an incoming call. Especially when that call is for your iPhone, rudely interrupting your attempt to witness the epic showdown between the buttered popcorn and the vengeful gummy bears.
Fear not, fellow movie marathoner (or audiobook enthusiast, or anyone who just wants some peace and quiet on their iPad), there's a way to sever the telepathic link between your iPhone and iPad and reclaim your device as a call-free zone.
The Great Disconnect: A Guide to Unsyncing Your iDevices
Here's the thing: those pesky incoming calls are a courtesy of a nifty little feature called Calls on Other Devices. This lets your Apple devices, all signed into the same iCloud account, ring simultaneously when someone calls your iPhone. Now, this can be super handy if you, like, misplace your phone under a mountain of laundry (don't judge, it happens to the best of us). But other times, it's just a digital annoyance.
Here's how to silence the chorus and make your iPad a call-free haven:
- Grab your iPhone: Because, well, that's where the magic happens (or the un-magic, depending on how you look at it).
- Open the Settings App: It's the little grey gear icon, probably nestled amongst a sea of other apps.
- Tap on "Phone": This should take you to a control center for all things phone-related.
- Find "Calls on Other Devices": It might be hiding near the bottom – scroll down if needed.
- Here Comes the Hero Move: Look for the toggle switch labelled "Allow Calls on Other Devices". Give it a firm tap to turn it OFF.
Congratulations! You've successfully severed the telepathic link and your iPad is now officially a call-free zone. You can now return to your movie (or audiobook, or whatever floats your digital boat) with the blissful knowledge that your iPad won't be hijacked by incoming calls.
Bonus Tip: Just Want to Disconnect One Device (Looking at You, Mac)?
Maybe you don't mind your iPad ringing along with your iPhone, but that pesky Mac keeps interrupting your productivity sessions with its incessant chimes. No worries, you can choose which devices stay connected! Just follow steps 1-4 above, then under "Allow Calls on Other Devices" you'll see a list of your connected devices. Simply toggle off the switch for the device you want to silence.
FAQ: You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers (Quick Ones)
How to turn off FaceTime calls on my iPad?
While Calls on Other Devices handles phone calls, FaceTime calls are a separate beast. To silence those, open the Settings app on your iPad, tap on "FaceTime", and toggle off the switch for "Calls from iPhone".
How do I know if Calls on Other Devices is turned on?
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices. If you see a list of your Apple devices, the feature is on.
How can I make calls from my iPad?
Even with Calls on Other Devices off, you can still make calls using FaceTime with Wi-Fi or cellular data (if your iPad has it).
How do I completely disconnect my iPad from my iPhone?
If you want a complete digital detox, you can sign out of your iCloud account on your iPad. However, this will also disconnect other features like iMessage and shared apps.
How do I reconnect my iPhone and iPad for calls?
Just follow the steps above, but this time, toggle the switch for "Allow Calls on Other Devices" back to ON.
So there you have it! With this newfound knowledge, you can finally control the call flow between your Apple devices and ensure your iPad remains a call-free sanctuary for movies, audiobooks, or simply some uninterrupted peace and quiet.
