What you can change on the iPhone call screen

The iPhone call screen — the display that appears when you make or receive a call — has limited customization options built into iOS. You cannot change the background image, the font, or the overall layout of the call interface itself. What you can change is which information appears during a call, how your name displays to others, and which apps handle your calls.

The most practical changes involve your caller ID name, the apps you use for calling, and the visual elements that appear on your lock screen while a call is active. These adjustments happen in different places depending on what you want to modify.

Key Takeaways

  • Your carrier controls your caller ID name — contact them directly to change how your number appears to people you call.
  • You can switch your default calling app from the Phone app to third-party services like WhatsApp or Skype in Settings > Phone > Default Voice App.
  • The call screen itself cannot be reskinned or redesigned, but you can hide the lock screen wallpaper during calls by enabling Do Not Disturb.
  • Contact photos appear on incoming calls if you have saved them in your Contacts app — updating these photos changes what callers see on your screen.
  • Live Caller ID information (name and photo) comes from your contacts and your carrier's database, not from iPhone settings.

Change your caller ID name through your carrier

Your caller ID name — the text that appears next to your number when you call someone — is controlled by your wireless carrier, not by your iPhone. To change it, you must contact your carrier directly. Call their customer service number, visit a store, or log into your account online.

Most carriers allow you to set a business name, a personal name, or a nickname as your caller ID. Some carriers charge a small fee for this change; others do it at no cost. The change typically takes 24 to 48 hours to appear on other people's phones. Ask your carrier whether they support custom caller ID names — some prepaid carriers do not offer this feature.

Switch to a different calling app as your default

If you prefer to use WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, or another calling service instead of Apple's Phone app, you can set it as your default. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Default Voice App. Select the app you want to use for outgoing calls.

When you set a third-party app as default, tapping a phone number in Contacts or Messages will open that app instead of the Phone app. Incoming calls from your actual phone number still arrive through the Phone app — this setting only affects outgoing calls you initiate. If you change your mind, return to the same menu and select Phone to switch back.

Update contact photos to change what appears during calls

When someone calls you, their contact photo appears on your screen if you have saved one in your Contacts app. To change this, open Contacts, find the person's entry, tap Edit, and tap the photo placeholder. You can take a new photo, choose one from your Photos library, or use an emoji.

Similarly, when you call someone, your contact photo appears on their screen if they have saved you in their contacts. You cannot control what photo they see — that depends on the photo they have saved for you. However, you can change your own contact card by opening Contacts, tapping My Card at the top, and updating your photo there.

Hide the lock screen during calls with Do Not Disturb

During a call, your lock screen wallpaper and notifications remain visible behind the call interface. If you want a cleaner, less distracting call screen, enable Do Not Disturb before the call begins. Open Settings, tap Focus, select Do Not Disturb, and toggle it on.

When Do Not Disturb is active, incoming notifications are silenced and hidden, and your lock screen appears simpler. This does not change the call screen itself, but it removes visual clutter around it. You can also set Do Not Disturb to set up automatically during calls by creating a Focus automation: go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > Automation and select Phone Calls.

Adjust what information shows during a call

While on a call, you can tap the screen to show or hide the keypad, speaker, mute, and add call buttons. Tap once to reveal these controls; tap again to hide them. You cannot permanently remove these buttons or rearrange them — they are part of iOS and appear the same way for all users.

If you want to see more information during a call, such as a contact's address or email, swipe up from the bottom of the call screen to open the contact card. This displays all saved information for the person you are talking to. Swipe down to close it and return to the basic call controls.

Use Live Caller ID to see who is calling

On newer iPhone models, Live Caller ID shows the name and photo of incoming callers before you answer. This information comes from your saved contacts and from your carrier's caller ID database. To change what appears, update the contact's entry in your Contacts app or contact your carrier to update your own caller ID information.

If someone is calling from a number you have not saved, their name may still appear if your carrier recognizes the number. You cannot disable Live Caller ID, but you can block specific callers or numbers by tapping the information icon during an incoming call and selecting Block This Caller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the background color or design of the call screen?

No. The call screen interface is built into iOS and cannot be customized. You cannot change its background, colors, fonts, or layout. Third-party calling apps like WhatsApp or Skype have their own call screens with different designs, but the native Phone app screen is fixed.

Why does my caller ID name show differently to different people?

Your carrier may display different caller ID names depending on the recipient's carrier and their phone type. Some carriers strip out custom caller ID names and show only your number. Contact your carrier to confirm what name you have set and whether they support custom caller ID in your region.

Can I use a custom ringtone or vibration pattern for specific callers?

Yes. Open Contacts, find the person, tap Edit, and scroll to Ringtone and Text Tone. Select a different ringtone or vibration pattern for that contact. When they call, your iPhone will use that custom sound instead of your default ringtone.

What if I want to hide my number when I call someone?

Open Settings, tap Phone, then Show My Caller ID. Toggle it off to hide your number from outgoing calls. Your carrier may override this setting for certain calls, and some recipients' phones may still display your number. You can also hide your number for individual calls by dialing *67 before the phone number (in the United States).

Can I change the call screen for FaceTime calls?

FaceTime calls use a different interface than regular phone calls, and it also cannot be customized. You can update your FaceTime contact photo in your Contacts app, which appears to the person calling you, but the call screen layout itself is fixed by Apple.