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How to Make Calls on Apple Watch: Your Comprehensive Guide

Want to ditch your phone for a quick chat? The Apple Watch is your wrist-mounted solution for making and receiving calls! This article will walk you through the ins and outs of making calls directly from your Apple Watch, ensuring you’re connected even when your iPhone is out of reach.

Making Calls on Your Apple Watch: The Definitive Guide

Making calls on your Apple Watch is surprisingly straightforward. There are several methods, each catering to different scenarios and preferences. Here’s a breakdown:

Using the Phone App: The most intuitive way is through the Phone app on your Apple Watch. This mirrors your iPhone’s recent calls, contacts, and keypad, allowing you to initiate calls much like you would on your phone.
- Accessing the Phone App: Press the Digital Crown to access your app grid and locate the Phone app icon (it looks like a green phone). Tap it to open.
- Making a Call from Recent Calls: The Phone app defaults to the Recents tab, displaying your recent call history. Simply tap a contact to call them back.
- Calling from Contacts: Tap the Contacts tab (represented by a person icon) to browse your iPhone’s contact list. Tap a contact, then select their phone number to initiate the call.
- Using the Keypad: For numbers not in your contacts, tap the Keypad tab (represented by a dial pad icon). Dial the number using the on-screen keypad and tap the green phone icon to call.
Using Siri: The power of Siri extends to your wrist, enabling hands-free calling. Just raise your wrist and say “Hey Siri, call [Contact Name]” or “Hey Siri, dial [Phone Number]“. Siri will initiate the call for you.
- Ensuring Siri is Enabled: Go to the Watch app on your iPhone. Navigate to Siri and ensure “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” is toggled on. Also, check that “Raise to Speak” is enabled if you prefer activating Siri by raising your wrist.
Calling from Messages: If you have a recent text conversation with someone, you can call them directly from the Messages app.
- Opening the Conversation: Open the Messages app on your Apple Watch and select the conversation you want to call from.
- Initiating the Call: Scroll to the top of the conversation. If the contact has a phone number associated with their name, you’ll see a phone icon. Tap the phone icon to start the call.
Using the Walkie-Talkie App: While not a traditional phone call, the Walkie-Talkie app offers instant voice communication with pre-approved contacts who also own an Apple Watch.
- Adding Contacts to Walkie-Talkie: Open the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch. Tap the “+” button to add a contact. The contact will need to accept your invitation.
- Initiating a Walkie-Talkie Conversation: Select the contact you want to talk to. Press and hold the “Talk” button to send your voice message. Release the button to send. The other person will hear your message instantly.
Via Cellular Connectivity (If Applicable): If you have an Apple Watch with cellular capabilities and an active cellular plan, you can make and receive calls even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. This is the most liberating option, allowing you to leave your phone at home while staying connected. The call methods remain the same (Phone app, Siri, Messages), but the connection is made directly through the cellular network.
- Checking Cellular Status: Look for the cellular icon (a series of green dots) in the Control Center of your Apple Watch (swipe up from the bottom of the watch face). If it’s green, you’re connected to cellular. If it’s red, you’re not.

FAQs: Apple Watch Calling Explained

Here are some common questions about making calls on your Apple Watch:

1. Can I make calls on my Apple Watch without my iPhone nearby?

Yes, but only if you have an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity and an active cellular plan. Without cellular, your Apple Watch needs to be within Bluetooth range of your iPhone or connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.

2. How do I set up cellular on my Apple Watch?

You need to contact your cellular carrier to add your Apple Watch to your existing mobile plan. The process usually involves scanning a QR code provided by your carrier with the Watch app on your iPhone.

3. What happens if someone calls me while I’m wearing my Apple Watch?

Your Apple Watch will notify you of the incoming call. You can answer the call directly on your watch, send it to voicemail, or answer it on your iPhone.

4. How do I switch a call from my Apple Watch to my iPhone?

During a call on your Apple Watch, unlock your iPhone. You should see a green phone icon at the top of the screen. Tap the icon to transfer the call to your iPhone.

5. Can I use headphones with my Apple Watch for calls?

Yes, you can use Bluetooth headphones paired with your Apple Watch for calls. This improves audio quality and privacy.

6. How do I adjust the volume during a call on my Apple Watch?

Rotate the Digital Crown during a call to adjust the volume. You’ll see a volume indicator on the screen.

7. How do I mute a call on my Apple Watch?

Tap the mute button (represented by a microphone icon with a line through it) on the call screen to mute your microphone.

8. How do I end a call on my Apple Watch?

Tap the red phone icon on the call screen to end the call.

9. Why can’t I make calls on my Apple Watch?

Several reasons could be preventing you from making calls.

Bluetooth Connectivity: Ensure your iPhone and Apple Watch are connected via Bluetooth.
Cellular Plan: If you have a cellular Apple Watch, verify that your cellular plan is active and properly configured.
Airplane Mode: Ensure Airplane Mode is turned off on both your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Software Update: Make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest software updates.
Proximity: If you don’t have a cellular Apple Watch, ensure your iPhone is nearby.

10. How do I improve the call quality on my Apple Watch?

Proximity to iPhone: If not using cellular, stay within Bluetooth range of your iPhone.
Minimize Interference: Avoid areas with strong radio frequency interference.
Bluetooth Headset: Use a Bluetooth headset for improved audio.
Clean the Microphone: Ensure the microphone on your Apple Watch isn’t blocked by dirt or debris.

11. Can I make emergency calls on my Apple Watch?

Yes, you can make emergency calls on your Apple Watch. Press and hold the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag the slider to the right to initiate the call. Cellular models can make emergency calls even without your iPhone nearby.

12. Does the Apple Watch support Wi-Fi Calling?

Yes, Apple Watch supports Wi-Fi Calling. If your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling and it’s enabled on your iPhone, your Apple Watch can use Wi-Fi Calling when connected to a Wi-Fi network and your iPhone is not nearby but is powered on and connected to the internet.