How to Make a Phone Call from Apple Watch?

If you don’t want to take your iPhone out of your pocket to make a phone call, here’s how to make a phone call directly on the Apple Watch without using your iPhone at all.

The Apple Watch is currently a little over six months old, but it’s still a very new device and has recently received its first major update. It came with a handful of bug fixes and performance improvements, as well as the ability to create custom watch faces, but that’s still a bit lacking.

Apple’s new smartwatch is packed with all sorts of different features, and while you might know some of the more basic features like getting notifications and checking the weather right from your wrist, you might not know that you can make a full-fledged phone call. Directly from Apple Watch without even touching your iPhone.

The Apple Watch has a built-in speaker and microphone that makes this possible (located on the opposite side of the Digital Crown).

Most of the time you may have your hands full or you’re driving and don’t want to awkwardly pull your iPhone out of your pocket. Instead, you can answer the phone call from your Apple Watch and use it hands-free. This is especially useful if you can’t legally use your iPhone while driving, but can legally use hands-free devices.

In any case, here’s how to make a phone call from Apple Watch

Making Phone Calls from Apple Watch

Before you make a phone call from your Apple Watch, there are a few things you should know. First of all, Apple Watch relies on your iPhone’s cellular connection, so you won’t be able to make or answer phone calls without your iPhone and Apple Watch being paired.

This means that if you go for a run with your Apple Watch but don’t have your iPhone with you, you won’t be able to make phone calls and perform many other tasks.

Also, you can use speaker-only mode on Apple Watch, as you cannot use your headphones even if they are connected to your iPhone; so be aware of this when answering a phone call in a public place, like anyone. You will be able to hear your conversation around you.

If you want to make a phone call from your Apple Watch, there are several ways to do so.

From your Friend List

Making a phone call is slightly faster if you’re calling a friend you’ve listed in the Friends section of the Apple Watch (by clicking the side button).

Just click the side button, turn the digital crown to go to a specific person, then tap their avatar.

From there, tap the phone icon in the lower left corner. Depending on whether they have an iPhone or not, you can choose to talk to them via FaceTime Audio or call them normally. FaceTime Audio is like a phone call, but uses WiFi instead of cellular, which makes the call quality much better.

In any case, choose one or the other if you have the option and your Apple Watch will make the phone call.

From the Apple Watch Phone App

If the person you’re calling isn’t in your Friends list, you can still call them from Apple Watch using the Phone app on the device.

Open the Phone app on your Apple Watch by clicking the digital crown that brings up your app layout. Find the Phone app and tap on it.

You will now have the option to select one to call from , , or . Unfortunately, you can’t dial a new number and call from your Apple Watch.

After selecting a contact, you can tap the phone icon or the message icon (to send them a text message). Tapping the phone icon and you get the same options as before if they have an iPhone where you can call them using FaceTime Audio or make regular calls on cellular. Even if they don’t have an iPhone, you’ll probably have the option to FaceTime Audio which is just a bug, but you’ll still be able to call them over cellular.

When connected to the call, you can adjust the speaker volume using the digital crown and also mute your microphone from the screen. When you’re done and want to hang up, simply tap the red button to end the call.

Answering Phone Calls from Apple Watch

Are you taking a phone call but have your hands full or don’t want to dig your iPhone out of your purse or pants pocket? You can answer calls directly from your Apple Watch.

If someone is calling you, you’ll get the alert on your Apple Watch. The screen will present several options to choose from, from how to make the phone call.

You can reject the call or answer the call with the two big round buttons, or if you scroll down you have a few more options to choose from.

You can quickly decline the call and send them a text message stating that you’ll call them back (or whatever you want to say), or choose to wait a few seconds while you pick up your iPhone by tapping . This lets them know that you accepted their calls, but only probed your iPhone.

That is all! Making and receiving phone calls on the Apple Watch may not always be something you do, but it’s a handy feature to hack as a backup.