The basic ways to answer a call
When someone calls your Samsung Galaxy phone, you will see a full-screen incoming call notification with the caller's name or number, their photo if it is saved in your contacts, and two large buttons at the bottom. To answer the call, swipe the green phone icon upward or tap it directly — either motion works. The call connects immediately and you can start talking.
If your phone is locked when the call comes in, the same green phone icon appears on the lock screen. Swipe it upward the same way. You do not need to unlock your phone first; answering the call unlocks it automatically.
On some Samsung models, you may see a small green button labeled "Answer" instead of an icon. Tap that button to pick up the call.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe the green phone icon upward or tap it to answer an incoming call on any Samsung Galaxy phone.
- You can answer a call from the lock screen without unlocking your phone first.
- If you swipe down or tap the red icon instead, you will reject the call and send it to voicemail.
- During a call, you can mute your microphone, switch to speaker mode, or add another caller using the buttons that appear on your screen.
- If you miss a call, the phone stores it in the Call Log, which you can open from the Phone app to see who called and when.
Rejecting a call or sending it to voicemail
If you do not want to answer, swipe the red phone icon downward or tap it. The call goes to voicemail and the caller hears your voicemail greeting instead of ringing. You can also press the power button or volume button to silence the ringing without rejecting the call — it will keep ringing until the caller hangs up or your voicemail picks up.
Some Samsung phones let you send a quick text message to the caller instead of answering. When the call comes in, look for a "Message" button or option. Tap it to send a preset text like "I'll call you back" without speaking to them.
Answering a call when you are already on another call
If you are already talking to someone and another call comes in, your Samsung will pause the first call and show you the incoming call notification. Swipe the green icon to answer the second call. Your first caller is put on hold.
While you have two calls active, you will see buttons on the screen to switch between them or merge them into a conference call. Tap "Swap" or the caller's name to switch who you are talking to. Tap "Merge" or "Combine" to talk to both people at once. The exact button names vary by your phone model and carrier.
Using speaker mode and muting during a call
Once you are on a call, your Samsung shows a row of buttons at the bottom of the screen. The speaker icon (usually a small speaker symbol) turns on speaker mode so both people can hear the call without holding the phone to your ear. Tap it again to turn speaker mode off and go back to holding the phone normally.
The microphone icon (usually a small microphone symbol) lets you mute your side of the call. When muted, the other person cannot hear you, but you can still hear them. This is useful if you need to cough, talk to someone else in the room, or take a moment without the other person hearing background noise.
You will also see buttons to add another caller, end the call, and access your contacts. The exact layout depends on your phone model and which version of Samsung's software you have.
What to do if you miss a call
If a call comes in while your phone is locked or you do not notice it, Samsung stores the missed call in your Call Log. Open the Phone app and tap the "Call Log" or "Recents" tab at the bottom. You will see a list of all incoming, outgoing, and missed calls with the date and time each one happened.
Missed calls usually show a small red dot or badge on the Phone app icon to let you know you have unread calls. Tap any call in the log to see more details, call that person back, or send them a message. You can also delete calls from the log by holding down on them and tapping "Delete."
Answering calls with your voice or smartwatch
If you have a Samsung smartwatch paired to your Galaxy phone, incoming calls appear on your watch as well. You can answer directly from your wrist by tapping the green phone icon on the watch screen. Your voice comes through the watch's speaker and microphone, so you can take the call without touching your phone.
Some Samsung phones also support voice commands. You can say "Answer" or "Accept call" to pick up a call if your phone has voice assistant features turned on. Check your phone's settings under "Accessibility" or "Voice Control" to see if this option is available on your model.
Troubleshooting when calls do not ring or connect
If calls are coming in but your phone is not ringing, check that your volume is not turned all the way down. Press the volume up button on the side of your phone to increase the ringer volume. You can also go to Settings, tap "Sounds and Vibration," and make sure the ringer volume slider is not at zero.
If calls are not coming through at all, check that airplane mode is off. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings and look for the airplane icon. If it is highlighted or blue, tap it to turn airplane mode off. You can also restart your phone by holding the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart."
If you are still not receiving calls, contact your carrier to check whether your account is active and your phone number is working. Some carriers also let you check your account status through their website or app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I answer a call without swiping if my hands are full?
Yes. Press the volume up button or power button to answer without swiping. You can also use voice commands if your phone has them turned on — say "Answer" when the call comes in. If you have a smartwatch paired to your phone, you can answer from your wrist instead.
What happens if I accidentally reject a call?
The call goes to voicemail. You can call the person back by opening the Phone app, going to Call Log or Recents, finding their name, and tapping the call to dial them. You can also send them a text message to let them know you missed their call.
Can I answer a call while using another app?
Yes. The incoming call notification appears on top of whatever you are doing. Swipe the green icon to answer, and the call screen opens. You can switch back to your other app while staying on the call by tapping the back button or swiping up from the bottom.
How do I know if someone is calling from a blocked number?
Blocked calls usually do not ring at all — they go straight to voicemail. If a call does come through from a blocked number, it may show "Unknown" or "Private" instead of a name. You can block a number by opening the Phone app, finding the call in your log, holding down on it, and tapping "Block Number."
Why is my phone showing a call notification but no sound?
Your ringer volume may be muted or set very low. Press the volume up button to increase it. You can also check Settings under "Sounds and Vibration" to make sure the ringer volume is turned up and vibration is on if you prefer to feel the call instead of hearing it.