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.
