Where to find and disable automatic answer
Automatic answer on iPhone is a feature that picks up incoming calls without you tapping the screen. You turn it off in Settings under Accessibility, then Hearing Devices, then toggle off the switch labeled "Auto Answer Calls." The setting applies to all incoming calls unless you use hearing aids or a cochlear implant connected to your phone — in that case, the feature is designed to work with those devices specifically.
If you do not see this option in Hearing Devices, your iPhone model or iOS version may not support it, or it may already be off. Older iPhones and some iPad models do not have this feature at all.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic answer is found in Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, and you turn it off by toggling the switch to the off position.
- This feature is designed primarily for people using hearing aids or cochlear implants, not as a general calling feature.
- If the setting does not appear on your phone, your device either does not support it or it is already disabled.
- Turning off automatic answer means all calls will require you to tap to answer, giving you control over which calls you pick up.
Why automatic answer exists and who uses it
Apple added automatic answer as an accessibility feature for people wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants. When your hearing device is paired with your iPhone via Bluetooth, the phone can automatically connect the call to that device without requiring you to tap the screen. This is useful if you have limited hand mobility or if you want calls to route directly to your hearing aid without an extra step.
The feature does not work for regular phone calls unless you have a compatible hearing device connected. If you have never set up hearing aids or a cochlear implant with your iPhone, automatic answer should not be active even if the setting exists on your phone.
Step-by-step: Turning off automatic answer
Step 1: Open Settings on your home screen.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Step 3: Tap Hearing Devices (this option only appears if your iPhone supports hearing aid connectivity).
Step 4: Look for the toggle next to "Auto Answer Calls" and tap it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray when disabled.
Step 5: Exit Settings. The change takes effect when ready.
What happens after you turn it off
Once automatic answer is disabled, your iPhone will ring or vibrate when someone calls, but the call will not connect until you tap the green answer button on your screen. This gives you time to see who is calling and decide whether to pick up. If you have Do Not Disturb enabled, calls will still be silenced or sent to voicemail depending on your Do Not Disturb settings.
If you use hearing aids or a cochlear implant and want calls to still route to your device, you can answer the call manually and it will connect to your hearing device through Bluetooth just as it would with automatic answer on. The only difference is that you control when the call connects.
If the setting does not appear on your phone
The Hearing Devices section only shows up on iPhones that support hearing aid connectivity. This includes iPhone XS and later models, as well as some earlier models running iOS 13.1 or newer. If you have an older iPhone or iPad, this setting may not exist on your device at all.
If you see Accessibility but no Hearing Devices option, your device does not support this feature. In that case, automatic answer is not running on your phone and there is nothing to turn off. You can also check your iPhone model and iOS version in Settings > General > About to confirm what you are running.
Hearing device pairing and automatic answer
If you own hearing aids or a cochlear implant and want to pair them with your iPhone, you do this through the Hearing Devices section in Accessibility. Once paired, your device will appear in that menu, and you can then toggle automatic answer on or off for that specific device. Some hearing aids have their own app that also controls this setting, so check your device's documentation.
If you unpair your hearing device from your iPhone, automatic answer will no longer function even if the toggle is on. The feature only works when a compatible device is actively connected.
Troubleshooting if calls still answer automatically
If you turned off automatic answer but calls are still connecting without you tapping, check whether you have a hearing device still paired with your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and look for any hearing aids or cochlear implants in the list. If one is there and you do not want it connected, tap the info icon next to it and select "Forget This Device."
You can also restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on, which clears temporary settings and can resolve unexpected behavior. If the problem persists after restarting and you have confirmed automatic answer is off and no hearing device is paired, contact Apple Support to rule out a software issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off automatic answer for some contacts but not others?
No. Automatic answer is an all-or-nothing setting — it either applies to all calls or none. If you want to control which calls connect automatically, you would need to use Do Not Disturb with exceptions for specific contacts, though that silences calls rather than blocking automatic connection.
Does automatic answer work with speakerphone?
Automatic answer is designed to route calls to your hearing device via Bluetooth, not to speakerphone. If you want calls on speakerphone, you need to answer manually and then tap the speakerphone button.
Will turning off automatic answer affect my hearing aid's other features?
No. Turning off automatic answer only stops calls from connecting automatically. Your hearing aid will still pair with your iPhone and work for other functions like audio streaming, phone calls you answer manually, and any features built into the hearing aid's own app.
What if I want automatic answer back on later?
Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices and toggle "Auto Answer Calls" back on. The setting will take effect when ready for any new incoming calls.