iOS · iPhone & iPad
Answer or Decline an Incoming Call on iPhone
Source-checked About 2 minutes
Answer
The incoming-call control depends on whether the iPhone is locked: tap Answer when it is unlocked, or drag the slider when it is locked. Apple does not provide a setting to change that behaviour into one permanent button style.
Check whether the iPhone is locked
Look at the incoming-call screen. iPhone changes the available control based on whether the phone is locked.
Answer on an unlocked iPhone
Tap the Answer Call button to accept the call when the iPhone is unlocked.
Answer on a locked iPhone
Drag the slider to answer when the iPhone is locked.
Silence the ring
Press the side button or either volume button once to silence an incoming call without answering it.
Decline a call
Press the side button twice quickly, tap Decline Call when it appears, or swipe up on the call banner to send the call to voicemail where available.
Reply instead
Tap Message and choose a reply when you need to respond without taking the call.
Use a supported alternative
If you need hands-free control, set up Siri to announce calls and answer or decline with your voice when that feature is available.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If you see a slider instead of a decline button, that is the normal locked-iPhone call interface, not a setting failure.
- In countries or regions without voicemail, a declined call can disconnect rather than going to voicemail.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.