The basic way to answer a call
When someone calls your Samsung phone, the screen shows their name or number and two large buttons: a green phone icon to answer, and a red phone icon to decline. Tap the green phone icon to pick up the call. The call connects when ready and you can start talking.
If your phone is locked when a call comes in, you'll see the same answer and decline buttons on the lock screen. Tap the green phone icon even with the phone locked—you don't need to unlock it first. Once you answer, the call screen opens and you can talk right away.
To end the call, tap the red phone icon or the "End Call" button on the screen. The call disconnects and you return to your home screen or lock screen.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the green phone icon on the incoming call screen to answer; the call connects when ready.
- You can answer calls from your lock screen without unlocking your phone first.
- Tap the red phone icon to decline a call and send it to voicemail.
- During a call, tap the red phone icon or "End Call" button to hang up.
- If you miss a call, it appears in your call log and voicemail (if set up) stores the message.
Answering calls when your phone is in your pocket or bag
If your Samsung phone is in your pocket or bag when it rings, you can answer without taking it out. Press the volume up button or volume down button on the side of the phone—either one will answer the call. This works even if the screen is off or the phone is locked.
Some Samsung models also let you answer by waving your hand over the screen (called "Air Gesture" or "Moto Chop" depending on the model), but this feature is not on all phones and may need to be turned on in Settings. The volume button method works on all Samsung phones and is the most reliable way to answer hands-free.
Declining a call and sending it to voicemail
When a call comes in, tap the red phone icon to decline it. The call stops ringing and goes to voicemail if you have voicemail set up with your carrier. The caller hears a message saying you're unavailable and can leave a message.
On some Samsung phones, you can also swipe the incoming call notification downward or to the side to decline it without tapping a button. The exact gesture depends on your phone model and Android version, but swiping down usually works on newer Samsung phones.
If you decline a call by mistake, you can call the person back by opening your phone's call log (the Phone app shows recent calls) and tapping their name or number.
Answering a second call while you're already on the phone
If someone calls while you're talking to another person, your Samsung phone alerts you with a notification. You'll see a banner at the top of the screen or hear a tone. Tap "Answer" or the green phone icon to pick up the second call.
When you answer the second call, your first call is put on hold. You can switch between the two calls by tapping the "Swap" button or the name of the person you want to talk to. To end the current call and return to the first caller, tap the red phone icon.
If your phone plan and carrier support it, you can also merge the two calls into a conference call. Look for a "Merge" or "Combine" button on the call screen. Not all carriers allow this, so check with your service provider if you're unsure.
Using speaker phone and mute during a call
Once you've answered a call, the call screen shows several buttons at the bottom. The speaker icon (looks like a speaker with sound waves) turns on speaker phone so you can talk without holding the phone to your ear. Tap it again to turn speaker phone off and go back to holding the phone normally.
The microphone icon (looks like a microphone with a line through it) mutes your voice so the other person can't hear you, but you can still hear them. This is useful if you need to talk to someone else in the room without the caller hearing. Tap the microphone icon again to unmute.
You can also tap the keypad icon to bring up a number pad if you need to enter numbers during the call (for example, when calling a bank's automated system). Tap the keypad icon again to hide the numbers.
What to do if you can't hear the caller or they can't hear you
If you can't hear the caller, first check that speaker phone is on or the phone is held close to your ear. If you're using speaker phone, make sure you're not in a very noisy place. You can also tap the volume up button on the side of the phone to increase the call volume.
If the caller says they can't hear you, check that the microphone icon is not muted (it should not have a line through it). If it is muted, tap it to unmute. If the microphone is already unmounted and they still can't hear you, try moving to a different location or switching off speaker phone and holding the phone closer to your mouth.
If the problem continues, hang up and call back. Sometimes a poor connection causes one-way audio. If calls consistently don't work, contact your carrier to check your account and service.
Answering calls on your Samsung watch or car
If you have a Samsung smartwatch paired to your phone, incoming calls appear on the watch screen too. Tap the green phone icon on the watch to answer. Your voice comes through the watch's speaker and microphone, so you can talk without taking your phone out.
If your Samsung phone is connected to your car's Bluetooth system, calls ring through the car's speakers. Look for an answer button on your steering wheel or the car's touchscreen. The exact location depends on your car model. Once you answer, you can talk through the car's microphone and speakers.
To switch from your watch or car back to your phone, tap the phone icon on your phone's call screen. To switch from your phone to your watch or car, disconnect the watch or car from Bluetooth, or tap the device name on the call screen if your phone gives you the option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't see the answer button when someone calls?
Make sure your screen is not completely dark or in a very low-power mode that hides the buttons. If the screen is black, press the power button or volume button to wake it up. If you still don't see buttons, restart your phone by holding the power button for 10 seconds and turning it back on.
Can I answer a call without the person knowing I'm there?
No. Once you tap the green phone icon, the call connects and the other person can hear you. If you want to listen without speaking, you can mute your microphone by tapping the microphone icon, but the call is still active and they know you answered.
Why does my phone keep declining calls automatically?
Check your Settings to see if "Do Not Disturb" or "Block" mode is turned on. Open Settings, search for "Do Not Disturb," and turn it off if it's on. Also check if the caller's number is on your blocked list by going to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Numbers. If their number is there, tap it and select "Unblock."
Can I answer a call if my phone is completely dead?
No. Your phone needs power to receive and answer calls. If your battery is completely drained, charge it for at least 15 minutes before it will turn on and receive calls. If someone tries to call while your phone is off, the call goes to voicemail.
What happens if I accidentally tap decline instead of answer?
The call goes to voicemail if your carrier has it set up. You can call the person back by opening the Phone app, finding their name in your recent calls, and tapping it. If they left a voicemail, you can listen to it in your voicemail inbox.