Imagine your phone being super low on battery and you get a very important call that you cannot miss. This has happened to me more times than I can count, and the saviour? The transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch feature.
You see, the Apple Watch was never meant to replace the iPhone for long calls, as it drains the battery, the audio without AirPods isn’t ideal and holding up your wrist for 20 minutes is unrealistic. But Apple knew this and built a smarter solution instead.
The ability to transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch, I can start a call on one device and finish it on the other without dropping or reconnecting the call. No friction, no learning curve and no constantly asking if I’m audible. If you are wondering how to do this, this guide breaks down the how and the why, along with when it works best, where it fails and how to fix it when it does.
Quick Steps for Transfer Calls Between iPhone and Apple Watch
If you just want to transfer calls without thinking too much, these are the quick steps you need to follow.
Transfer Calls From iPhone to Apple Watch
If you get a call, it will appear on both your devices. You can:
- Answer the call on your iPhone or
- Raise your wrist and tap the green Phone icon on your Apple Watch
- Confirm the transfer
That’s it. The call will instantly move from your iPhone to your Apple Watch.
Transfer Calls From Apple Watch to iPhone
- Unlock your iPhone
- Tap the green call bar or the bubble at the top of the screen
This will automatically shift your call back to your iPhone. After doing this for the first time, transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch becomes muscle memory. It is that easy.
Requirements
In case the above mentioned steps do not work, which is a rare possibility, your setup may be missing a requirement. Since this feature relies on Apple’s Continuity and Handoff systems working together, you can check if the following are enabled:
- iPhone and Apple Watch are signed into the same Apple ID
- Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone
- Devices are within Bluetooth range
- Active wifi or cellular connection
- Software is updated on both the Apple Watch and the iPhone
- Handoff is enabled in your iPhone settings
Bluetooth is used for continuity and proximity, wifi for data handoff and iCloud for identity. If one of these is not enabled, transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch become unreliable.
To enable Handoff:
On your iPhone:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone
- Tap General > AirPlay & Continuity > toggle Handoff On
On your Apple Watch (via iPhone):
- Open the Watch app
- Tap General
- Toggle on Handoff
This will usually solve the problem of not being able to transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch.
Transfer During a Call
To transfer calls from Apple Watch to iPhone and vice versa during a call,
- Simply pick up the call from your iPhone and tap the Green Bubble at the top of the screen.
The call will be transferred from your Apple Watch automatically without any interruptions.
- Similarly, tap the phone icon at the top of your Apple Watch screen to transfer the call from your iPhone to your Apple Watch.
- Tap the three dots icon at the bottom of the screen and select a device.
Benefits of Transferring Calls Between Apple Watch and iPhone
Out of the many benefits of the Apple ecosystem, this feature is one that makes my life the most convenient. I cannot tell you the countless times I have saved my iPhone’s battery from dying with my Apple Watch.
Here are a few benefits of this feature:
- Saves battery: Like I said, whenever my iPhone is running low on battery, which is a very frequent occurrence, transferring an ongoing call or answering an important call on my Apple Watch lets me preserve my phone’s battery for more important things like booking or paying for a cab.
- Hands-free: you know that meme, girls’ hands? Well, that’s me every single day. Phone, bag, a huge emotional support bottle of water, keys, and whatnot. Answering a call on top of all that is not only difficult, but it’s also nearly impossible. Now the most convenient way to answer the call would be with AirPods, but if I don’t have them on me, the Apple Watch is a saviour because it automatically answers the call using speakers.
- Digital detox: In today’s digital era, working without a phone is impossible, but whenever I do need a break and go on a digital detox, the Apple Watch still keeps me connected to important calls without having to carry my phone around everywhere.
- Continuity: the handoff feature of the Apple ecosystem is just a chef’s kiss. Be it copying and pasting from Mac to iPhone or switching calls from iPhone to Apple Watch. It is so seamless that the conversation does not get cut off or lag.
Fixes if Transferring Calls Between Apple Watch and iPhone Doesn’t Work
Rare case, but digital devices and their features may sometimes not work. Here are some fixes:
Fix 1: Make sure it is a regular phone call
The transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch only work on standard cellular phone calls from the Phone app. It does not work with internet or Wi-Fi based calling apps such as FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, etc.
Fix 2: Check Bluetooth Range
We know that for the Apple Watch and iPhone to be connected, Bluetooth must be enabled. However, in case the transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch do not work, it may be because you are too far away from your phone.
Try moving closer to the iPhone and the handoff will work seamlessly.
Fix 3: Toggle Handoff
Speaking of handoff, follow the steps above to make sure Handoff is enabled on both devices. If it is enabled and your call transfer is still not working, turn it off and then wait for about 10 seconds before turning it back on.
Fix 4: Restart both devices
The tried and tested fix for anything wrong with our digital devices. If the transfer feels inconsistent, restart both your iPhone and the Apple Watch and check again.
Fix 5: Update your software
Outdated software on either of your devices may cause delayed audio, failed handoff or a missing transfer icon.
Make sure both the iOS and the watchOS are updated to the latest version.
While these fixes work, there are certain limitations:
- The transfer won’t work outside Bluetooth range.
- The audio on Apple Watch uses its speakers, so without AirPods, the call will be audible to everyone around you.
- GPS-only models of the Apple Watch will require close proximity to the iPhone for the call transfer to work seamlessly.
- Weak wifi may slow handoff.
Wrap Up
Whether your iPhone is running out of battery, charging in the other room or buried deep inside your tote bag, the transfer calls between iPhone and Apple Watch keep the conversation alive without lagging.
You don’t have to worry about the battery or having to explain why you will call the other person back, you just keep talking. Seamlessly. That’s the real strength of the Apple ecosystem: it is not new hardware or loud and flashy features, just seamless continuity that doesn’t require thinking.
So the next time a call interrupts your battery saving plan, just answer via your Apple Watch and let Apple handle the rest.
