Have you ever wanted to make a phone call directly from the watch on your wrist? I‘ve tested out calling on every Apple Watch model, and I‘m here to walk you through everything it can do!
A Quick History of Calling Features
Apple has added more and more communication abilities to the Watch over time. Here‘s a quick overview:
| Model | Year | Calling Features |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch 1 | 2015 | Receive calls only through iPhone |
| Apple Watch Series 2 | 2016 | Wi-Fi calling added |
| Apple Watch Series 3 | 2017 | Cellular connectivity added |
| Apple Watch Series 4 | 2018 | Walkie-Talkie feature introduced |
| Apple Watch Series 5 | 2019 | Support for FaceTime Audio calls |
As you can see above, the Apple Watch went from simply redirecting iPhone calls initially to being pretty much a standalone phone by Series 3 in 2017.
The cellular connection is a real game-changer for leaving your actual phone behind!
Wi-Fi vs Cellular – What‘s the Difference?
When looking to make calls from your Apple Watch, you‘ll encounter two types of connectivity:
Wi-Fi calling relies on an internet connection to route calls through your iPhone. As long as your iPhone has Wi-Fi access, your Watch can make calls from anywhere using its number.
Cellular calling uses your carrier‘s mobile network to enable direct calling from the Watch. This works even if your iPhone is turned off or not connected. But it does require an additional monthly fee to add cellular access for your Apple Watch through your carrier.
Below is a simple breakdown:
| Feature | Wi-Fi Calling | Cellular Calling |
|---|---|---|
| Works without iPhone nearby | Yes | Yes |
| Extra monthly fee | No | Yes |
| Needs Wi-Fi connection | Yes | No |
So in short – Wi-Fi calling is cheaper but requires internet, while Cellular gives you true standalone freedom.
Making Truly Independent Calls
If you have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with cellular activated, you can chat away even when your iPhone is turned off or left at home!
It has its own connection through the eSIM inside, so it can function as an independent phone without your actual phone. Pretty cool right?
I take calls from my Watch all the time while walking my dog or running errands without carrying my iPhone. The freedom is addictive!
How Do You Actually Make Calls?
Enough background…let‘s get into the fun stuff!
There are a few ways to go about making calls from your Apple Watch:
Using Your Contacts
If you want to call someone already saved in your contacts, just:
- Press the Digital Crown and tap the green Phone icon
- Tap ‘Contacts‘ in the bottom right corner
- Browse or search to find the contact
- Tap their name, then tap the number to call
Easy as that! This mimics calling through your Phone app on iPhone.
With Siri Magic
Hey Siri always has your back! Simply:
- Summon Siri by holding the Digital Crown or side button
- Say "Call Mom" or "Call 0123 456789"
- Verify number/contact and say Yes to connect the call
I use this voice-activated method all the time to keep my hands free!
Through Favorites
For your very frequent contacts, add them as Favorites:
- Open Phone app > Contacts > Tap contact
- Scroll down and tap ‘Add to Favorites‘
- Open Favorites tab in Phone app to call them
Much faster than scrolling through your whole contact list!
Dialing Manually
In a real old-school mood? You can tap out a number directly:
- Open the Phone app on your Watch
- Tap the blue Keypad icon
- Use the screen or Digital Crown to input a phone number
- Tap the green phone receiver button to dial!
Give these a try next time you feel like making a call from your wrist!
Answer Calls Instantly with Your Watch
Wondering how to take those calls from your watch when your iPhone rings?
It‘s simple, just:
- Open the Watch app and select Phone
- Toggle on Allow Calls on Other Devices
Now whenever someone calls your iPhone number, your Apple Watch will also light up and ring!
When you get an incoming call, just tap Accept to answer or Decline to ignore.
Moving Calls Back to Your iPhone
If you answered on your Watch but want to transfer back just:
- Swipe up from the bottom to reveal more call options
- Tap Return to Call on iPhone
This instantly hands the call back to your iPhone – super convenient!
Adjusting Call Volume
There are a couple ways to control your call volume:
- Open the Control Center on your Watch and turn the Digital Crown
- Ask Siri to turn volume up or down
- Go to the Watch app on your iPhone and fine-tune in Sounds & Haptics
And that‘s everything you need to know about making and taking calls on your Apple Watch! I highly recommend getting a cellular plan if you want the true freedom of leaving your iPhone behind.
Let me know if any other calling questions come up!
