The basic way to call someone on iPhone

Open the Phone app — the green icon with a white phone symbol on your home screen. Tap the keypad icon at the bottom (it looks like a grid of numbers). Type the phone number you want to call, then tap the green call button. The call will connect and you'll see the duration counting up on your screen.

If you're calling someone whose number is already saved in your contacts, you can skip typing. Tap the contacts icon at the bottom of the Phone app, find the person's name, and tap the phone number next to their name. Either method takes about five seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • The Phone app is built into every iPhone and is the standard way to make calls — you don't need to download anything.
  • You can dial by typing a number on the keypad or by selecting a saved contact from your contacts list.
  • Calls over Wi-Fi are possible if your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling, which you can turn on in Settings under Phone.
  • Your call history is saved automatically in the Recents tab, so you can call someone back by tapping their name.

Calling someone from your contacts

If you've saved someone's number before, calling them is faster than typing. Open the Phone app and tap the contacts icon (it looks like a silhouette of a person). Scroll through your list or use the search bar at the top to find the person's name. When you see their contact card, tap the phone number or the green call button next to it.

If a contact has multiple phone numbers saved — like a work number and a home number — you'll see all of them listed. Tap whichever number you want to call. This is useful if you're trying to reach someone at a specific location.

Calling from your recent calls list

The Phone app keeps a record of every call you've made, received, or missed. Tap the Recents icon at the bottom of the Phone app (it looks like a clock) to see this list. Find the person or number you want to call and tap it. The call will dial immediately.

This is the fastest way to call someone you've spoken to recently. You can also swipe left on any entry in Recents to delete it from the list, or tap the information icon (a circle with an "i") to see more details about that call, like the exact time it happened.

Making calls over Wi-Fi instead of cellular

If your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling, you can make calls using a Wi-Fi network instead of your cellular signal. This is useful if you're in an area with weak cell service but have a strong Wi-Fi connection. To turn it on, go to Settings, tap Phone, then toggle Wi-Fi Calling on.

Once Wi-Fi Calling is enabled, your iPhone will automatically use it when Wi-Fi is available and cellular signal is weak. You'll see a small Wi-Fi symbol next to your signal bars when a call is being made over Wi-Fi. Not all carriers offer this feature — check with your provider if you're unsure whether it's available to you.

Using Siri to make a call hands-free

You can call someone by voice without touching your iPhone. Press and hold the home button (or say "Hey Siri" if you have that enabled), then say "Call [person's name]" or "Call [phone number]". Siri will confirm the number and start the call.

This works best when you're driving or your hands are full. Siri will look up the number in your contacts, so make sure the person's name is saved correctly. If a contact has multiple numbers, Siri will ask which one you want to call.

What to do if a call won't go through

If you dial a number and the call fails, first check that you have cellular signal or Wi-Fi Calling enabled. Look at the signal bars in the top left corner — if they're empty or very low, move to a different location. If you're using Wi-Fi Calling, make sure you're connected to a Wi-Fi network.

If the number itself is the problem, double-check that you've typed it correctly, including the area code. Some numbers require a 1 before the area code (for calls within the United States), and some don't — if one format doesn't work, try the other. If the call still won't connect after checking these things, contact your carrier to see if there's an outage in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call someone if I don't have cellular service?

Yes, if your carrier supports Wi-Fi Calling and you're connected to Wi-Fi. Without either one, you cannot make a call. Some carriers also support calls over data networks like 5G, but Wi-Fi is the most common alternative when cellular signal is unavailable.

How do I call someone internationally?

Dial 011 (the international access code), then the country code, then the phone number. For example, to call the United Kingdom, you'd dial 011 + 44 + the local number. Costs vary by carrier — check your plan to see if international calls are included or if you'll be charged per minute.

What's the difference between the Phone app and FaceTime?

The Phone app makes standard voice calls over your cellular network or Wi-Fi. FaceTime is a separate app that makes video or audio calls, but both people must have iPhones, iPads, or Macs. Use the Phone app for calling anyone with a phone number; use FaceTime only when both people have Apple devices.

Can I call someone while I'm already on another call?

Yes. While on a call, open the Phone app and dial a new number. Your first call will be put on hold automatically. You can switch between the two calls by tapping the name or number at the top of the screen, or end one call and return to the other.