The basic way to answer a call
When someone calls your Samsung phone, the screen shows their number or name and displays two options: a green phone icon to answer, and a red phone icon to decline. Tap the green phone icon to pick up the call. The call then connects and you can hear the person on the other end.
On older Samsung models, you may see a green bar or button labeled "Answer" instead of an icon. The action is the same — tap it to connect. Once you answer, the screen changes to show call duration, volume controls, and options to mute the microphone or put the call on speaker.
If you are holding your phone to your ear, the screen may go dark to save battery. This is normal. You can still hear the other person and they can hear you. If you need to see the screen again — to add another caller or switch to speaker — move the phone away from your face.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the green phone icon when a call comes in to answer it when ready.
- Tap the red phone icon to decline a call and send it to voicemail.
- You can answer a call even when your phone is locked — just tap the green icon on the lock screen.
- If you swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead of tapping the icon, you will also answer the call on most Samsung models.
Answering a call when your phone is locked
You do not need to unlock your Samsung phone to answer a call. When the phone rings and the screen is locked, the incoming call screen appears on top of the lock screen. Tap the green phone icon and the call connects — you stay on the lock screen until you hang up or unlock the phone manually.
This is useful if you are driving or your hands are wet. You can answer, talk, and hang up without ever entering your PIN or pattern. If the caller needs you to do something on your phone — check a calendar or read a message — you can unlock it during the call by swiping up or entering your PIN.
Using gestures to answer instead of tapping
Some Samsung phones let you answer by swiping instead of tapping. When a call comes in, swipe the green phone icon upward or to the side — the exact direction depends on your model and Android version. This works the same way as tapping: the call connects and you can talk normally.
If swiping does not work on your phone, tapping the icon always will. Swipe gestures are optional and can be turned off in your phone's settings if you find them confusing. Sticking with tapping is simpler and works on every Samsung model.
Answering with headphones or a car system
If you have headphones plugged in or connected by Bluetooth, you can often answer a call by pressing the button on the headphone cord or on the headset itself. On Samsung earbuds, this is usually a single tap on one earbud. On wired headphones, press the center button on the remote.
When your phone is connected to a car's Bluetooth system, the call rings through the car speakers and you can answer using the car's steering wheel button or dashboard screen. The phone screen still shows the incoming call, so you can also tap the green icon if you prefer. Using the car controls keeps your hands on the wheel and is the safest option while driving.
What happens if you do not answer
If you tap the red phone icon or do nothing and let the call ring out, the call goes to voicemail. The caller hears a message saying you are not available and can leave a recording. You will see a notification that you missed a call, and if a voicemail was left, you can listen to it later in the Phone app under the Voicemail tab.
Declining a call does not block the person — they can call again anytime. If you want to block a number so they cannot reach you at all, you can do that in the Phone app by long-pressing the number and selecting "Block" or "Block number," depending on your Android version.
Answering a second call while already on the phone
If someone calls while you are already talking to another person, your Samsung phone shows a notification of the incoming call. You can tap the green icon to answer the second call, which puts the first caller on hold. The screen then shows both calls — you can switch between them by tapping the name or number of the person you want to talk to.
To merge both calls into one conversation so all three of you can hear each other, look for a "Merge calls" button on the call screen. Not all carriers support this feature, so it may not appear. If you want to end the second call and go back to the first, tap the red icon next to the second caller's name.
Troubleshooting when you cannot answer
If the green answer icon does not appear or does not respond when you tap it, restart your phone first. Power it off completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. This fixes most call-answering problems.
If restarting does not work, check that Do Not Disturb is not turned on. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings and look for "Do Not Disturb." If it is highlighted or shows a moon icon, tap it to turn it off. Calls may still ring, but the answer screen might not appear if this setting is active. You can also check your call blocking settings in the Phone app — if you have blocked all unknown numbers, calls from people not in your contacts will not ring through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I answer a call by voice command?
Yes, if you have Google Assistant or Samsung's Bixby voice assistant turned on. Say "Answer call" or "Accept call" when the phone rings and it will connect. You can also say "Decline call" or "Reject call" to send it to voicemail. Voice commands work even when your hands are full or your phone is across the room.
What if I accidentally tap decline instead of answer?
The call goes to voicemail and the caller can leave a message. You can call them back when ready by opening the Phone app, going to the Recents tab, and tapping their name or number. There is no penalty for declining — you can answer the next time they call.
Why does my screen stay dark when I answer a call?
Samsung phones have a proximity sensor near the top of the screen that detects when you hold the phone to your ear. When it senses your face is close, it turns off the screen to save battery and prevent accidental button presses. Move the phone away from your face and the screen turns back on.
Can I answer a call if my phone is in airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including cellular and Bluetooth. Calls cannot reach your phone at all when airplane mode is on. Turn it off in Quick Settings if you need to receive calls.
What is the difference between answering and accepting a call?
There is no difference. "Answering" and "accepting" mean the same thing — you are connecting to the incoming call by tapping the green icon. The terms are used interchangeably.