The basic way to call someone on iPhone

To call someone on an iPhone, open the Phone app (the green icon with a white phone symbol on your home screen), tap the keypad icon at the bottom, and type the phone number you want to call. Then tap the green call button. The call connects and you hear ringing or the person answers.

If you have already talked to this person before, their number is saved in your Contacts app. In that case, you can open Contacts, find their name, and tap the green phone icon next to their number. This is faster than typing the number each time.

You can also ask Siri to call someone by holding down the side button (or home button on older iPhones) and saying "Call [person's name]". Siri looks up the number in your contacts and dials it for you.

Key Takeaways

  • The Phone app is where you make calls on iPhone — it is the green icon on your home screen.
  • You can dial a number using the keypad, call a saved contact by name, or use Siri voice commands to call someone.
  • Saving phone numbers in your Contacts app means you do not have to type the number every time you want to call that person.
  • The green call button starts the call; the red button ends it.
  • If you do not have a cellular plan or Wi-Fi calling turned on, your iPhone cannot make calls.

Calling someone whose number you already saved

If you have already saved someone's phone number in your Contacts, calling them takes two taps. Open the Phone app, tap the Contacts icon at the bottom (it looks like a person's silhouette), scroll to find the person's name, and tap the green phone icon next to their number.

You can also search for a contact without scrolling. At the top of the Contacts list, there is a search box. Type the person's first or last name, and their contact card appears. Tap the green phone icon to call them.

Using Siri to call hands-free

If your hands are full or you are driving, Siri can make the call for you. Hold down the side button on the right edge of your iPhone (or the home button if you have an older model) until you see a waveform appear on the screen. Then say "Call [person's name]".

Siri looks up that person in your Contacts and shows you their number before dialing. If the person has more than one number saved (home, work, mobile), Siri asks which one you want to call. Say the type of number you want, and Siri dials it.

If Siri does not understand the name, try saying it more slowly or use the full name instead of a nickname. If the person is not in your Contacts, Siri cannot call them this way.

What happens when you call someone

When you tap the call button, your iPhone connects to the phone network and dials the number. You hear ringing while the call tries to reach the other person. If they answer, you can hear them and they can hear you. If they do not answer, the call goes to their voicemail (if they have set one up), and you can leave a message.

While you are on a call, the screen shows the person's name or number, how long the call has lasted, and buttons to end the call, mute your microphone, turn on speaker, or add another person to the call. If you tap the red button, the call ends.

Calling from recent calls or favorites

The Phone app keeps a list of people you have called recently. Tap the Recents icon at the bottom of the Phone app (it looks like a clock), and you see a list of the last calls you made or received. Tap any name or number to call that person again.

You can also add people to your Favorites list so they appear at the top of the Phone app for quick calling. Open a contact, tap Edit, scroll down, and tap Add to Favorites. That person now appears in the Favorites tab (the star icon at the bottom of the Phone app) so you can call them with one tap.

Calling when you do not have the number saved

If someone gave you a phone number but you have not saved it yet, open the Phone app and tap the Keypad icon at the bottom. Type the number using the on-screen buttons. You can dial numbers, the symbols * and #, and the + sign (for international calls). Once you have typed the full number, tap the green call button to dial.

After the call ends, the number appears in your Recents list. If you want to save this number for future calls, tap the "i" icon next to the number in Recents, then tap Create New Contact or Add to Existing Contact. This way, the next time you want to call this person, you can find them in your Contacts instead of typing the number again.

International calls and special numbers

To call someone in another country, tap the Keypad, then tap and hold the 0 key until a + symbol appears. Type the country code (for example, 44 for the United Kingdom, 81 for Japan, 33 for France), then the person's phone number without the leading 0. Tap the green call button to dial.

Some numbers are free or low-cost to call, like 911 for emergencies or 411 for directory information. Other numbers, like 1-800 numbers, are toll-free in the United States. Your carrier may charge for international calls, so check your plan before calling someone overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call someone if I do not have their number saved?

Yes. Open the Phone app, tap Keypad, type the number, and tap the green call button. The call goes through as long as you have a cellular plan or Wi-Fi calling turned on. You can save the number afterward if you want to call them again.

What if the person does not answer?

The call goes to their voicemail. You hear a greeting (usually their recorded voice) and a beep. Speak your message, then hang up. They can listen to your message later and call you back if they want to.

Can I call someone while I am using the internet?

Yes, as long as you have Wi-Fi calling turned on or a cellular data plan. If you are on Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi calling is off, you cannot make calls. Check Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling to see if it is turned on.

How do I add someone to a call I am already on?

While on a call, tap the add call button (usually a + or add icon on the call screen), find the person you want to add, and tap their name. Your first call is put on hold while you dial the second person. Once they answer, tap Merge Calls to put both people on the same call.

What does it mean when I see a missed call?

A missed call is when someone called you but you did not answer. Open the Phone app, tap Recents, and look for a missed call (usually shown in red or with a missed call icon). You can tap it to call the person back or see if they left a voicemail.