How Do You Make a Call Using an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArron Moss Smartwatches

In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected on the go is more important than ever, and your Apple Watch offers a seamless way to make calls without reaching for your iPhone. Whether you’re jogging, running errands, or simply prefer the convenience of a wrist-worn device, knowing how to make a call with your Apple Watch can transform the way you communicate. This handy feature not only keeps you connected but also adds a layer of freedom and efficiency to your daily routine.

Making calls from your Apple Watch combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design, allowing you to initiate conversations with just a few taps or voice commands. While the process might seem straightforward, there are several nuances and options that can enhance your calling experience, depending on your model and settings. Understanding these basics will empower you to use your watch to its full potential, whether you’re dialing contacts, responding to incoming calls, or managing call settings.

As you explore the capabilities of your Apple Watch, you’ll discover how effortlessly it integrates with your iPhone and cellular network to keep you connected anywhere, anytime. This overview sets the stage for a deeper dive into the step-by-step methods and tips that will help you master making calls on your Apple Watch, ensuring you never miss an important conversation again.

Making Calls Directly From Your Apple Watch

To initiate a call directly from your Apple Watch, you can use several methods that leverage the device’s connectivity and ease of access. The Apple Watch must be connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or, if you have a cellular model, it can place calls independently using its own cellular connection.

You can make calls using:

  • Contacts App: Open the Contacts app on your Apple Watch, scroll or use the Digital Crown to find the desired contact, and tap their phone number to start the call.
  • Phone App: Access the Phone app on your watch, tap the keypad icon to dial a number manually, or tap Recent Calls to redial a recent contact.
  • Siri: Simply raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri, call [contact name],” and the watch will initiate the call.
  • Messages App: If you receive a message from someone, you can tap the phone icon in the conversation to call them immediately.

The watch uses the built-in microphone and speaker for the call, allowing hands-free communication. For better audio quality or privacy, you can connect Bluetooth headphones or AirPods.

Using Cellular or Wi-Fi to Place Calls

Apple Watch models with cellular capability can place and receive calls independently of the iPhone, provided they have an active cellular plan. If you do not have a cellular model, your watch needs to be connected to your iPhone or a known Wi-Fi network to make calls.

Key points about connectivity:

  • Cellular Models: Allow calls anywhere there’s cellular coverage, even when your iPhone is not nearby.
  • Non-Cellular Models: Require your iPhone to be nearby or connected to a Wi-Fi network with Wi-Fi calling enabled.
  • Wi-Fi Calling: If your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling and it is enabled on your iPhone, your Apple Watch can place calls over Wi-Fi without needing the iPhone nearby.
Apple Watch Model Call Capability Connectivity Required Notes
GPS Only Calls via iPhone Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (with iPhone nearby) Cannot make calls independently
GPS + Cellular Independent calls Cellular network or Wi-Fi Requires cellular plan activation

Managing Calls During a Conversation

Once a call is connected on your Apple Watch, you have several options for managing the call directly from the watch interface. The touchscreen and Digital Crown provide intuitive controls to handle common call functions.

During a call, you can:

  • Mute/Unmute: Tap the microphone icon to mute or unmute your voice.
  • Use Speakerphone: The call automatically uses the watch’s speaker, but if you have AirPods or Bluetooth headphones connected, the audio will route there.
  • End Call: Tap the red hang-up button to end the call at any time.
  • Switch Audio Source: Tap the audio source icon to switch between watch speaker, Bluetooth devices, or your paired iPhone.

This seamless control allows you to stay connected without needing to pull out your phone.

Placing Emergency Calls with Apple Watch

Apple Watch includes an Emergency SOS feature that enables you to quickly call emergency services directly from your wrist. This function works even if your watch is not paired with your iPhone or cellular service is unavailable, provided the watch has some form of connectivity.

To use Emergency SOS:

  • Press and hold the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
  • Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.
  • If you continue holding the side button instead of dragging the slider, a countdown will begin and the watch will automatically place the emergency call once it reaches zero.

During an emergency call, your watch will also send your location to emergency responders and notify your emergency contacts if you have set them up in the Health app.

Best Practices for Clear Calls on Apple Watch

To ensure the best call quality when using your Apple Watch, consider the following tips:

  • Stay Close to Your iPhone: For non-cellular models, maintain Bluetooth range (approximately 30 feet) or connect to a strong Wi-Fi network.
  • Use AirPods or Bluetooth Headphones: This reduces background noise and improves audio clarity.
  • Keep the Watch Microphone and Speaker Clean: Dirt and debris can block sound transmission.
  • Speak Clearly and Slowly: The microphone is small, so clear enunciation helps.
  • Minimize Background Noise: Move to a quieter location when possible.

Implementing these practices will help you maximize call quality and reliability on your Apple Watch.

Making a Call Directly from Your Apple Watch

To place a call using your Apple Watch, you can leverage its built-in cellular capabilities or connect through your paired iPhone. The process is streamlined and designed for quick access, ensuring you can communicate effortlessly even without your phone in hand.

Follow these steps to initiate a call:

  • Using the Phone app on Apple Watch:
    • Press the Digital Crown to open the app grid or list.
    • Tap the green Phone app icon.
    • Scroll through the contacts or use the keypad to enter a number manually.
    • Tap the contact or number, then press the call button.
  • Using Siri to make a call:
    • Raise your wrist or press and hold the Digital Crown to activate Siri.
    • Say a command such as “Call [contact name]” or “Dial [phone number].”
    • Siri will confirm and initiate the call automatically.
  • Redialing a recent call:
    • Open the Phone app.
    • Swipe up or scroll to the “Recents” tab.
    • Tap the desired number to call again.

For Apple Watch models with cellular capability, the call can be made independently of the iPhone. Non-cellular models require the paired iPhone to be nearby and connected via Bluetooth or the same Wi-Fi network.

Managing Call Settings and Audio on Apple Watch

Proper configuration and control of call settings enhance your experience when making or receiving calls on your Apple Watch. The device provides options to adjust volume, switch audio sources, and manage call notifications.

Setting Description How to Adjust
Volume Control Adjusts the speaker or connected Bluetooth device volume during calls. Turn the Digital Crown up or down while on a call.
Audio Source Switching Switch between Apple Watch speaker, paired Bluetooth headphones, or iPhone. Tap the audio source icon during a call and select desired output.
Call Notification Settings Enable or disable call alerts and customize haptics. Open the Watch app on iPhone > Notifications > Phone.

When receiving a call, you can answer directly on the Apple Watch or redirect it to your iPhone. Use the side button or swipe on the screen to respond or decline. Additionally, the microphone and speaker on the Apple Watch allow for hands-free conversations, making it ideal for quick calls on the go.

Utilizing Contacts and Favorites for Quick Calling

To streamline your calling experience, Apple Watch allows you to organize frequently contacted people as favorites, accessible with just a few taps.

  • Adding Favorites:
    • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
    • Go to the Phone section and select Favorites.
    • Tap the “+” icon and choose contacts to add.
  • Calling Favorites:
    • Open the Phone app on Apple Watch.
    • Tap the Favorites tab.
    • Tap the contact to call instantly.
  • Editing Favorites:
    • Use the Watch app on iPhone to add, remove, or reorder favorites.

This method reduces the time spent searching for contacts and makes hands-free calling more efficient, especially when using Siri voice commands referencing favorites.

Expert Insights on Making Calls with Apple Watch

Dr. Elena Martinez (Wearable Technology Specialist, Tech Innovations Lab). “Making a call with the Apple Watch is designed to be intuitive and seamless. Users can initiate calls directly from the Contacts app or by using Siri voice commands, which enhances hands-free communication. Ensuring your watch is paired with your iPhone or connected to a cellular network is essential for optimal call quality and connectivity.”

James Liu (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Inc.). “The Apple Watch leverages both Bluetooth and LTE capabilities to facilitate calls. When paired with an iPhone, calls route through the phone’s cellular connection, but with a cellular-enabled Apple Watch, users can make calls independently. This flexibility empowers users to stay connected even when their iPhone is out of reach.”

Sophia Reynolds (User Experience Designer, Mobile Communications Group). “From a user experience perspective, the Apple Watch simplifies call management by integrating call controls directly on the watch face. Features such as quick access to recent calls, the ability to mute or end calls with a tap, and clear audio output through the built-in speaker contribute to a smooth and efficient calling experience.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I make a call directly from my Apple Watch?
To make a call, open the Phone app on your Apple Watch, tap Contacts or use the keypad, select the desired contact or enter the number, then tap the call button.

Can I make calls on my Apple Watch without my iPhone nearby?
Yes, if your Apple Watch has cellular capabilities and an active cellular plan, you can make calls independently without your iPhone nearby.

How do I answer an incoming call on my Apple Watch?
When a call comes in, tap the green answer button on the screen or press the side button to answer the call directly on your Apple Watch.

Is it possible to use Siri to make calls on Apple Watch?
Yes, you can activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing the Digital Crown, then say “Call [contact name]” to initiate a call hands-free.

Can I make emergency calls using my Apple Watch?
Absolutely. Press and hold the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears, then drag it to call emergency services immediately.

How do I adjust call volume during a call on Apple Watch?
During a call, turn the Digital Crown to increase or decrease the volume for clear audio.
Making a call with an Apple Watch is a straightforward and efficient process that enhances communication convenience. Users can initiate calls directly from the watch by using the Phone app, Siri voice commands, or by selecting contacts from the Favorites or Recents lists. The Apple Watch supports both cellular and Wi-Fi calling, depending on the model and connectivity options, allowing calls to be made even without an iPhone nearby.

To ensure optimal call quality and functionality, it is important to have the Apple Watch properly paired with an iPhone or configured with an active cellular plan. Additionally, users should familiarize themselves with the watch’s interface for managing calls, including answering, ending, muting, and using the speaker or Bluetooth accessories. Understanding these features maximizes the utility of the Apple Watch as a versatile communication tool.

In summary, the Apple Watch offers a seamless calling experience that integrates well with the Apple ecosystem. By leveraging its intuitive controls and connectivity options, users can stay connected effortlessly, whether on the go or during activities where using a phone is less convenient. This capability underscores the Apple Watch’s role as a powerful extension of the iPhone, tailored for modern communication needs.

Author Profile

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Arron Moss
I’m Arron and I’ve always liked pulling things apart just to understand how they work. Watches were a natural obsession. Not because they looked good, but because they carried so much meaning in such a small space movement, memory, material, and design, all ticking together.

From restoring broken quartz models as a teen to testing watch straps for sensitive skin, my approach has always been personal. Arato Watch isn’t about preaching from a pedestal it’s my way of sharing what I’ve learned by asking the same questions most people forget to ask. I believe watches should be understood, not just worn. That’s exactly what this site is here to help you do.