How To Get Phone Calls On Apple Watch?

Learn how to get phone calls on your Apple Watch, connect it to your iPhone, use Wi-Fi or cellular, and manage call settings easily on your wrist.

RKWritten byRahul Kumar
Updated 6 min readComment

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Receive Phone Calls on Apple Watch
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What’s inside6 sections · 6 min read
  1. 01Steps To Get Phone Calls On Apple Watch1 min
    1. Method 1: Pair Apple Watch WIth your Iphone
    2. Method 2: Enable Mirror Iphone
    3. Method 3: Set up Cellular Plan
  2. 02How To Turn On Auto Answer Calls on Apple Watch1 min
  3. 03How to receive Calls On Apple Watch?1 min
  4. 04Why are you Not Receiving Calls On Your Apple Watch2 min
    1. Problem 1: Do Not Disturb Mode
    2. Problem 2: Mirror My iPhone Setting Is Off
    3. Problem 3: Wifi calling Is Off (For GPS models)
    4. Problem 4: Call on Other Devices Off (For GPS Models)
    5. Problem 5: The Cellular Plan or E-SIM has expired
    6. Problem 6: Cellular Signal Is Out
    7. Problem 6: Software is Outdated
  5. 05Final Thoughts1 min
  6. 06Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]1 min

When I say that I love my Apple Watch more than my iPhone, it is completely true.  The Apple Watch provides me with numerous benefits that are particularly useful on the go. One of the functions I absolutely love is being able to make and receive calls with Siri when my hands are full and I cannot whip out my phone.

If you are an athlete or do not like to carry your iPhone with you all the time, this feature on your cellular Apple Watch can be helpful. However, if you are a newbie to Apple Watches and don’t know how to set it up, then I will help you do so.

Steps To Get Phone Calls On Apple Watch#

Method 1: Pair Apple Watch WIth your Iphone#

  • Firstly, make sure you are using the same Apple ID to log in to your Apple Watch as your iPhone to keep the process easy.
  •  To pair the two together, I go to the Watch App on my iPhone.
  • Then I follow the on-screen instructions to pair the two together.
  • Finally, I wait for the setup to be complete.

Method 2: Enable Mirror Iphone#

  • For the second method, go to the Watch App on your iPhone.
  • Now, scroll down to Phone.
  • Finally, turn on ‘Mirror my iPhone’ to receive phone calls on Apple Watch.

Method 3: Set up Cellular Plan#

This is only for those who have a cellular Apple Watch. 

  • For this, you need to go to the Watch App on your iPhone.
  • Then click on Mobile.
  • Then tap on ‘Set Up Cellular’ and follow the instructions to activate the cellular plan. 

How To Turn On Auto Answer Calls on  Apple Watch#

If you are a busy person, then auto-answer calls can be an important feature on your Apple Watch.

  • To do this, start by clicking on the Digital Crown.
  • There, I click on the Settings.
  • Next, I go to the Accessibility option.
  • There, I click on Auto Answer Calls and toggle it on.
  • Once it is turned on, you can select the time limit after which the call will be automatically answered. The minimum time limit is 3 seconds, and you can increase or decrease the time as per your liking by clicking on the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ button.

How to receive Calls On Apple Watch?#

When I see an incoming call option in my Apple Watch, it comes with the usual accept and decline options along with a three-dot menu. To accept the call, I click on the accept button, i.e, the green one, while to decline it, I click on the red button. 

After clicking on the accept button, I can easily talk with anyone on my Apple Watch using the built-in speaker on the watch. If I want to switch the phone call to my iPhone for FaceTime or for more flexibility, then that option is also available. I click on the ‘Answer on iPhone’ option. When I do this, the call is redirected to my iPhone, and the person on the other side is on hold until I pick it up.

Why are you Not Receiving Calls On Your Apple Watch#

Problem 1: Do Not Disturb Mode#

I often get tired from receiving too many calls on my Apple Watch. This is when I decide to turn on do-not-disturb settings. As peaceful as it is, the next day or the day after, I wonder why I am not receiving any more calls on my Apple Watch.

The peace is addictive; however, someone like me, who has a hectic schedule, needs to be on top of my game. Hence, if you consciously or accidentally have turned on Do Not Disturb mode, then you will not receive any calls on your  Apple Watch.

Problem 2: Mirror My iPhone Setting Is Off#

To receive calls from your iPhone to your Apple Watch, you need to ensure that Mirror My iPhone settings are turned on. For this to happen, I go to the Watch App on my iPhone and turn on Mirror my iPhone. If this setting is not on, then it is highly likely that your Apple Watch will not receive any phone calls.

Problem 3: Wifi calling Is Off (For GPS models)#

If you are using a GPS Apple Watch, then it has the option of receiving calls even if your iPhone is not nearby. However, that only happens if you are sharing the same Wi-Fi network, but there is a catch.

If your Wi-Fi calling is not turned on on your Apple Watch, then you will not receive any calls. To run this feature, I go to Settings on my iPhone > Apps > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. I turned on this option to receive calls on my Apple Watch through Wi-Fi.

Problem 4:  Call on Other Devices Off (For GPS Models)#

Another catch for people using the GPS model is to turn on the call on other devices option. To do this, you need to go to the Settings of your iPhone. Then go to the Apps > Phone > Calls on Other Devices > Allow Calls on Other Devices.

If this is off, then there is no way for your GPS-only Apple Watch to receive calls. 

Problem 5: The Cellular Plan or E-SIM has expired#

When my eSIM cellular plan expires, I am unable to make any calls. Apple Watch cannot make any calls without an eSIM or an active plan. You can make calls over WiFi, but only if you are connected to WiFi. Without an active cellular plan and WiFi, you will not be able to receive or make calls.

Problem 6: Cellular Signal Is Out#

Using a cellular Apple Watch has a lot of advantages, but if it does not have a signal, then there is nothing you can do. If you are in areas where there is no signal, then you need to rely on your luck. If you are lucky, you can use Wi-Fi calling if that is enabled on your device. However, if you are out and about in a deserted area, then there is no other way you can make or receive calls.

Problem 6: Software is Outdated#

A very common glitch that happens to me all the time is when my iPhone or Apple Watch is not updated. Updating your software is very important if you want to use your gadgets to their best potential without any glitches. To do this, go to the settings of your iPhone and Apple Watch and check for software updates for the best performance.

Final Thoughts#

Now you know how to receive calls on  Apple Watch. However, you can also put it on hold or switch it to an iPhone. Attending calls on an Apple Watch will be very beneficial for you if you are always on the go.

For someone like me who doesn’t always carry their iPhone but has their  Apple Watch on them, it is essential to know this feature.  Another important thing to note is that these steps work independently for the cellular Apple Watch; however, if you are using only the Apple Watch, then you need a Bluetooth connection or your iPhone nearby to attend and receive phone calls.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]#

01Can you switch the audio to another device from your iPhone?

If you want to switch the audio to another device, then click on the three dots and select the device that you want to redirect your call to. If you have your Bluetooth speaker connected, then you can also redirect the call there.

02How to adjust volume during calls on Apple Watch?

To adjust the volume while making calls on Apple Watch, you can turn up or down the digital crown on the side of your Apple Watch.

03Can you listen to voicemail on your Apple Watch?

Yes, you can listen, read, and even delete voicemail on your Apple Watch.

04Can you receive phone calls on your Apple Watch without your iPhone?

Yes, you can receive phone calls on your Apple Watch without your iPhone if the calls redirected to Apple Watch are on and you have an active cellular plan on your Apple Watch.

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RK

Written by

Rahul Kumar

With a focus on real-world usability, Rahul at WearableXP covers smartwatches and wearable fitness tech. He evaluates how devices combine activity tracking, health metrics, battery life and connectivity. His work helps readers understand how smartwatches fit into everyday routines through practical performance and software-driven features.

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