iOS · iPhone & iPad

How To Change “Slide to Answer” to “Accept or Decline” for iPhone Call - Tutorial

Original source date

Answer

Slide to Answer (Locked Screen):When your iPhone is locked (no passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID used), you'll see "Slide to Answer".It's designed to prevent accidental call answering when the phone is in your pocket or bag.Swipe horizontally as indicated to answer the call.; When your iPhone is locked (no passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID used), you'll see "Slide to Answer".; It's designed to prevent accidental call answering when the phone is in your pocket or bag.; Swipe horizontally as indicated to answer the call.; Accept or Decline (Unlocked Screen):This option appears when the iPhone is unlocked.Offers quick response options - tap "Accept" to answer or "Decline" to reject the call.; This option appears when the iPhone is unlocked.; Offers quick response options - tap "Accept" to answer or "Decline" to reject the call.

iPhone Call Screens: Locked vs. Unlocked

Slide to Answer (Locked Screen):When your iPhone is locked (no passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID used), you'll see "Slide to Answer".It's designed to prevent accidental call answering when the phone is in your pocket or bag.Swipe horizontally as indicated to answer the call.; When your iPhone is locked (no passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID used), you'll see "Slide to Answer".; It's designed to prevent accidental call answering when the phone is in your pocket or bag.; Swipe horizontally as indicated to answer the call.; Accept or Decline (Unlocked Screen):This option appears when the iPhone is unlocked.Offers quick response options - tap "Accept" to answer or "Decline" to reject the call.; This option appears when the iPhone is unlocked.; Offers quick response options - tap "Accept" to answer or "Decline" to reject the call.

Additional Features

Both screens provide extra functionalities like sending messages or setting reminders, accessible by tapping adjacent icons. Understanding these two modes helps manage incoming calls effectively, matching the security and convenience needs of different situations.

accept or decline
accept or decline

Adapting to Default iPhone Settings

While you cannot change the default 'Slide to Answer' and 'Accept or Decline' settings on iPhones, there are useful workarounds: Rejecting a Call on Locked Screen:Press the power button twice to decline a call on the 'Slide to Answer' screen.; Press the power button twice to decline a call on the 'Slide to Answer' screen.; Silencing a Call:Use the volume buttons to temporarily silence an incoming call.; Use the volume buttons to temporarily silence an incoming call. These methods offer alternative ways to handle calls when you cannot modify the default call answering settings on your iPhone.

accept or decline buttons
accept or decline buttons

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • Can I change my iPhone's 'Slide to Answer' to 'Accept or Decline'?. No, the 'Slide to Answer' and 'Accept or Decline' features are default settings on the iPhone and cannot be changed.
  • What determines if I see 'Slide to Answer' or 'Accept or Decline'?. 'Slide to Answer' appears when your iPhone is locked, and 'Accept or Decline' shows up when your iPhone is unlocked.
  • Is there a way to decline a call on the 'Slide to Answer' screen?. Yes, you can press the power button twice to decline a call on the 'Slide to Answer' screen.
  • How can I silence an incoming call without declining it?. You can silence an incoming call by using the volume buttons on your iPhone.
  • Are these call answering features the same on all iPhone models?. Yes, these features are consistent across different iPhone models.