The basic steps to answer an incoming call

When someone calls your phone, a notification appears on your screen — usually a large banner, a ringing sound, or both. On most phones, you answer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, pressing a green button, or tapping the caller's name. The exact motion depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, and which version you have.

Once you answer, the call connects and you can hear the other person. Your screen then shows the call timer, options to mute or speaker, and a red button to end the call. The call stays active until you press that red button or the other person hangs up.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhones, swipe up from the bottom of the lock screen or tap the green answer button if your phone is already unlocked.
  • On Android phones, swipe up from the bottom or tap the green phone icon, depending on your phone model and Android version.
  • If you miss a call, you can call the person back from your recent calls list or by opening the phone app.
  • You can silence an incoming call by pressing the volume button, which sends it to voicemail without rejecting it.
  • Answering a call while your screen is locked may require you to unlock your phone first on some devices.

Answering on iPhone

If your iPhone is locked when a call comes in, the full-screen caller notification appears. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen with one motion to answer. You can also press the green phone icon if it appears on the notification.

If your iPhone is already unlocked, a smaller notification banner drops down from the top. Tap the green answer button on that banner to pick up the call. Some older iPhone models show a green slider instead — swipe it to the right to answer.

If you want to decline the call instead, swipe down or tap the red button. The call goes to voicemail and the caller hears your greeting.

Answering on Android

Android phones vary more than iPhones because different manufacturers customize the system. Most current Android phones show a full-screen notification when locked. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the green phone icon to answer.

If your Android phone is unlocked, a smaller notification usually appears at the top. Tap the green answer button to pick up. Some Android phones use a different layout — look for a green phone icon or the word "Answer" on the notification.

To decline, swipe down, tap the red button, or look for a "Decline" option. The call goes to voicemail.

What to do if you miss a call

If a call rings while your phone is in another room or you do not reach it in time, the call goes to voicemail. A notification appears on your lock screen or in your notification center showing a missed call. The phone app also keeps a list of recent calls, including missed ones.

To call someone back, open the phone app, find their name or number in the recent calls list, and tap it. The phone dials automatically. You can also tap the information icon next to their name to see the time they called and how many times they have called recently.

Silencing a call without rejecting it

If you want to stop the ringing but do not want to reject the call outright, press the volume button on the side of your phone. The ringing stops but the call stays active — the caller does not know you silenced it. They still hear ringing on their end until you answer or the call goes to voicemail.

This is different from declining the call. When you decline, the caller knows you rejected them. When you silence, they think you are not near your phone yet.

Answering when your phone is locked

Most phones let you answer a call without unlocking your phone first. The call notification appears on top of your lock screen, and you can swipe or tap to answer directly. Once you answer, you may need to unlock your phone to access other features like speaker or mute, but the call itself connects without unlocking.

Some older phones or phones with certain security settings may require you to unlock before answering. If the answer button does not work on your lock screen, try unlocking your phone first, then tapping the notification.

Using speaker, mute, and other call controls

Once a call is active, your screen shows several buttons. The speaker button (usually a speaker icon) plays the call through your phone's speaker instead of the earpiece — useful if you want others nearby to hear or if you need both hands free. Tap it again to switch back to the earpiece.

The mute button (usually a microphone with a line through it) stops the other person from hearing you, but you can still hear them. This is helpful if you need to cough, talk to someone else, or take a moment without the caller knowing. Tap it again to unmute.

The red button ends the call. Tap it when you are done talking and the connection closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I answer a call on my lock screen?

Some phones require you to unlock before answering, especially if you have certain security features turned on. Try unlocking your phone first, then tapping the incoming call notification. If the answer button still does not appear, restart your phone and try again.

What happens if I press the volume button during a call?

Pressing the volume button while a call is ringing silences the ringing sound but keeps the call active. The caller still hears ringing on their end. If you press it after you have answered, it adjusts the call volume instead.

Can I answer a call while using another app?

Yes. When a call comes in, the notification appears on top of whatever you are doing. Tap or swipe to answer, and the call connects while your previous app stays open in the background. You can switch between the call and your app by swiping or tapping the home button.

What is the difference between declining and silencing a call?

Silencing stops the ringing on your phone but the call stays active — the caller hears ringing and does not know you silenced it. Declining rejects the call immediately and sends it to voicemail — the caller knows you declined them.

How do I answer a call if my phone is in my pocket?

Take your phone out and look at the screen. If it is locked, the call notification appears on the lock screen and you can swipe or tap to answer without unlocking. If it is unlocked, tap the green answer button on the notification at the top.