Is it possible to video call without a smartphone or wifi if I give my 86 year old grandpa an old iPad?

You will need WiFi or a data plan in order to use any type of FaceTime/video chat on an iPad or mobile device. With ohanaisfamily, it’s not free, you have to pay for it but it includes a data plan.

Just looked it up for Grandpad. No, they don't need WiFi but they do need data, which means there is somekind of monthly fee involved.

Yes, he has to be able to connect to WiFi. If it's not available where he lives, you'll have to try something else.

You are probably better off just calling him on the phone. I've started writing letters to elderly relatives. They love the letters and say that they re read them. Try to tell him what you are doing. Maybe tell him funny or interesting things you've seen.

You could load an old iPad with games like solitaire or put books on it that he could read. He might appreciate that. My mother (90) finds her iPad very easy to use.

There are iPads that you can use with a data plan (instead of WiFi) but the older iPads don't have that function and someone would have to pay for your grandpa to have a monthly data plan. Which isn't cheap.

No wifi means no FaceTime no Zoom no Skype, etc. He needs wifi and a data plan and live-in tech support. Sorry!

CStadler07, you need to get something that is easy to use. Us old timers aren't keen on the new technology as it can be so very complicated.

I remember seeing ads for a device called Grandpad, where you can contact a person and they can easily use the Grandpad device. I could be wrong, but I think one doesn't need WiFi. Anyhow, worth looking into.

No don't think so. You need a WiFi connection or data to do this.