Your iPad Air M3 isn't ringing for incoming calls. Maybe you're missing FaceTime calls or calls forwarded from your iPhone. Either way, it's a problem that usually has a simple fix. Let's go through the most common culprits and get your iPad back on the call grid.
Start with the quickest check first: swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Look for the crescent moon icon (Do Not Disturb) or a Focus mode icon. If either is highlighted, tap it to turn it off. That alone solves a surprising number of call problems.
Check Your Focus Mode
Focus modes on iPadOS 18 can silently block calls from anyone not on your allowed list. Go to Settings > Focus and see if any mode is active. If it is, tap it and toggle it off, or edit the allowed calls list to include your frequent contacts. Sometimes a scheduled Focus kicks in without you realizing it, especially if you set one earlier and forgot.
Make Sure FaceTime Is Turned On
This sounds basic, but a recent system update or a Settings change can disable FaceTime. Open Settings > FaceTime and confirm the switch is green. If it's off, your iPad won't receive any FaceTime calls at all. You'll also want to check that your phone number and Apple ID email are both selected under "You can be reached for calls at." If those fields are blank, no one can reach you.
Verify Your Apple ID and iCloud Settings
Missing calls often trace back to iCloud sync issues. Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and make sure FaceTime is listed under "Apps Using iCloud." If it's turned off, FaceTime won't sync properly across devices. Also check Settings > FaceTime > Your Caller ID and confirm your phone number or email is set correctly.
Check Your Wi-Fi and Cellular Connection
FaceTime and iPhone call forwarding both need a stable internet connection. If your iPad is connected to a weak Wi-Fi network, calls may not come through. Try toggling Wi-Fi off and back on, or switch to a different network. For iPad Air M3 models with cellular, make sure your data plan is active and you're not in Airplane Mode.
Update to the Latest iPadOS
iPadOS 18 has had a few updates that fixed call-related bugs. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. A version that's several months behind can cause missed calls, especially after a major point release.
Force Restart the iPad Air M3
A force restart clears temporary glitches without erasing any data. On your iPad Air M3, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. Let go when you see the logo. Give it about a minute to boot up, then test a call.
Reset Network Settings
If Wi-Fi or cellular configs are corrupt, a network settings reset can clear it up. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, so be prepared to re-enter those. It won't touch your apps or data, though.
Turn Off Call Forwarding on Your iPhone (If You Use It)
If you have calls forwarded from your iPhone to your iPad, the forwarding might be misconfigured. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and make sure it's set to forward to your iPad correctly. You can also try toggling the feature off and back on. This is especially important if you recently updated your iPhone or changed your Apple ID.
Disable Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
Apps like Truecaller or Hiya can interfere with FaceTime if they're granted phone permissions. Go to Settings > FaceTime > Call Blocking & Identification and review which apps have access. Toggle off any you don't need, or temporarily disable them to see if calls start coming through. I've seen a single aggressive call blocker silence all incoming FaceTime audio calls.
Check for a Stuck Do Not Disturb Schedule
iPadOS sometimes keeps a Focus schedule active even after you've manually turned it off. Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and scroll down to "Turn On Automatically." If you see a schedule listed (like "Bedtime" or a custom time), either delete it or adjust the time range so it doesn't overlap with your normal calling hours. Then toggle Do Not Disturb off from Control Center one more time for good measure.
One last thing: if your iPad has been deeply discharged and the battery percentage looks off, plug it into a 20W or higher USB-C charger for at least 20 minutes. A low battery can cause unexpected behavior, though it's not a direct call issue. Most of the time, one of the fixes above will get your calls back. Start with Focus mode and FaceTime settings, those two account for the vast majority of missing call problems on the iPad Air M3.
