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 connects and you can speak.

If you want to call someone whose number is already saved in your contacts, tap the Contacts icon at the bottom of the Phone app instead. Find the person's name, tap it, and tap the phone number next to their name. The call starts immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • The Phone app is the standard way to make calls, and you reach it from your home screen or by swiping up from the bottom and searching for "Phone".
  • You can dial a number directly using the keypad, or find a saved contact and tap their number to call them.
  • FaceTime lets you make video calls to other iPhone, iPad, or Mac users, and you start it the same way — through Contacts or by typing a number.
  • If you have a weak signal, your iPhone may fall back to Wi-Fi calling automatically, and you can also turn it on manually in Settings.
  • You can add a contact to your phone before calling them, so their name appears on your screen when they call you back.

Calling someone from your Contacts

Open the Phone app and tap Contacts at the bottom. Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the person you want to call. Tap their name to open their contact card. You will see one or more phone numbers listed — tap the one you want to use. The call begins right away.

If the person has multiple numbers (home, work, mobile), each one is labeled so you know which you are calling. If you have not saved someone's number yet, you can still dial it directly from the keypad instead of searching Contacts.

Making a video call with FaceTime

FaceTime is built into iPhone and lets you make video calls to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. Open the Phone app, find the contact you want to call, and tap the FaceTime icon (a white video camera symbol) next to their name. If they do not have FaceTime, you will not see that icon.

You can also start a FaceTime call from the FaceTime app itself — tap the plus icon, search for or select a contact, and tap the video icon. The other person will see an incoming FaceTime call on their screen and can accept or decline. Once they accept, you can see each other and talk.

Calling over Wi-Fi when you have no signal

Wi-Fi Calling lets you make and receive calls using a Wi-Fi network instead of cellular signal. This is useful if you are in a location with poor cell coverage but have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Your carrier must support Wi-Fi Calling — most major carriers do, but check with yours to be sure.

To turn on Wi-Fi Calling, go to Settings, tap Phone, then tap Wi-Fi Calling and toggle it on. You will need to confirm your emergency address so emergency services can find you if you call 911 over Wi-Fi. Once it is set up, your iPhone will use Wi-Fi Calling automatically when your cellular signal is weak. You can also turn it off the same way if you do not want to use it.

Saving a new contact before you call

If you want to call someone whose number you have but who is not yet in your contacts, you can save them first so their name appears on your screen when they call back. Open the Phone app, tap Contacts, then tap the plus icon in the top right. Enter their name and phone number, then tap Done. Their contact is now saved.

Alternatively, you can dial the number first from the keypad, and before you call, tap the plus icon that appears next to the number. This opens a new contact card where you can enter their name and save them. Either way, the next time they call or you call them, you will see their name instead of just a number.

Returning a missed call or recent call

Open the Phone app and tap the Recents icon at the bottom. You will see a list of calls you have made and received, with the most recent at the top. Missed calls appear in red. Tap any entry to call that person back. If you want to remove an entry from your recents list, swipe left on it and tap Delete.

The Recents list also shows how long each call lasted and when it happened. If you want to clear your entire recents history, tap Edit in the top left, then tap Clear at the bottom right, and confirm. This does not delete your saved contacts — it only clears the call log.

Using Siri to make a call hands-free

If your hands are full or you are driving, you can use Siri to make a call without touching your phone. Press and hold the side button (or home button on older iPhones) until Siri appears, then say "Call [contact name]" or "Call [phone number]". Siri will confirm who you want to call and start the call.

You can also say "FaceTime [contact name]" to start a video call. Siri works best when you use the exact name as it appears in your contacts, but it can usually understand variations. If Siri does not recognize the name, it will ask you to clarify before making the call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if the call will not connect?

Check that you have cellular signal or Wi-Fi Calling turned on. If you are in airplane mode, turn it off. If the number is correct and you still cannot connect, try restarting your iPhone by holding the side button and volume button together, then sliding to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.

Can I call someone if I do not have their number saved?

Yes. Open the Phone app, tap the keypad icon, type the number, and tap the green call button. You do not need to save a contact first. If you want to save them after the call, tap the plus icon in the top right of the call screen or add them to Contacts afterward.

How do I know if someone is calling me?

When an incoming call arrives, your iPhone displays the caller's name (if saved) or their phone number on your screen. You can tap Accept to answer or Decline to send it to voicemail. If your phone is locked, swipe up from the bottom to answer or press the side button twice to decline.

Can I call internationally on iPhone?

Yes, but international calls may cost extra depending on your carrier plan. Dial the plus sign (hold 0 on the keypad), then the country code, then the phone number. For example, +44 for the United Kingdom. Check your carrier's rates before calling to avoid unexpected charges.

What is the difference between a regular call and FaceTime?

A regular call uses your cellular network or Wi-Fi Calling and works with any phone number. FaceTime is video-only and works only between Apple devices. FaceTime uses data instead of minutes, so it may be better if you have limited cellular minutes but unlimited data.