Make and Answer Phone or FaceTime Calls with Siri

Siri can make and answer phone calls and FaceTime calls using your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and HomePod. Here, we go through the process of making a hands-free call by asking Siri to dial for you.

Make a phone call or FaceTime call with Siri

First, activate Siri on your device.

iPhone/iPad

  • Press and hold the Side/Home button until Siri appears.
  • By saying “Hey Siri”.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your iPhone.

Apple Watch (FaceTime Audio)

  • By saying “Hey Siri”.
  • By pressing and holding the Digital Crown.
  • By using Raise to Speak.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Apple Watch.

HomePod (FaceTime Audio)

  • By saying “Hey Siri”.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your HomePod.

Mac

  • Say “Hey Siri”.
  • Press the Siri button.
  • Use a keyboard shortcut.
  • Use Type to Siri.

Read more about how to set up and use Siri on your Mac.

AirPods

  • AirPods: (1st generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
  • AirPods: (2nd generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.
  • AirPods Pro: Press the Force Sensor on either of your AirPods to activate Siri, then make your request.

How to make a phone call with Siri

You can ask Siri to call a person or company in your contacts by speaking their number, name, or relationship to you – check out our guide on how to set up relationships using Siri.

Just speak your command naturally, as if you are talking to another person:

Hey Siri, call Jane Smith.

Hey Siri, call ACME Electronics.

Alternatively, use a relationship:

Hey Siri, call Dad.

Hey Siri, call Dad on speaker.

You can also dictate the phone number:

Hey Siri, call ### #### (phone number).

If you have more than one contact of the same name or no match is found, Siri will ask you for further information. If you regularly get name conflicts, consider setting up nicknames for your contacts.

How to make a FaceTime call with Siri

FaceTime is a great way to visually keep in touch with family and friends. It’s a leading video chat service available to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Made even more incredible when used with Siri.

Note: You need to be signed in with your Apple ID for FaceTime to work.

To contact someone using FaceTime rather than by phone, say:

Hey Siri, FaceTime Jane Smith.

Siri will ask you to choose the contact’s email address or phone number as a connection method and then make the call for you.

How to make a FaceTime Audio call with Siri

If you’d prefer not to show your face due to bedhead or don’t want an important client to see you in your pajamas, you can also request a FaceTime Audio call.

Hey Siri, FaceTime audio Jane Smith.

While FaceTime Audio might seem much like making a regular phone call, there are some advantages. It often offers better call quality because it’s a VoIP service similar to Skype. So, it could be preferable if your cell signal is poor.

FaceTime Audio can also be used on Apple Watch, Mac, and HomePod.

How to answer a phone call or FaceTime call with Siri

iPhone/iPad

You can use Siri to answer an incoming call. From iOS 14.5 and later, Siri can tell you the caller’s name and respond to commands such as “Answer” or “Decline.” There is no need to say, “Hey Siri.” To enable this feature:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap on Siri & Search.
  • Tap on Announce Calls.
  • Select under which circumstances you would like Siri to announce calls to you.
Announce Calls settings on iPhone
Announce Calls settings on iPhone

Apple Watch

Announce calls is also available on Apple Watch.

  • Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  • Scroll down and tap Siri.
  • Scroll down to Announce Calls and check the toggle is set to on.
Announce Calls on Apple Watch
Announce Calls on Apple Watch

When a call comes in, the caller is identified, and you’re asked if you want to answer the call. Say “yes” to accept the call, or “no” to decline it.

HomePod

Say:

Hey Siri, answer the phone.

AirPods

If you have a pair of AirPods, do the following to answer a call; do the same to hang up or switch calls:

  • AirPods: (1st generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods.
  • AirPods: (2nd generation) Double-tap either of your AirPods.
  • AirPods Pro: Press the Force Sensor on either of your AirPods.

Hang up a call with Siri

From iOS 16, If you’re on a hands-free call, you can now ask ‌Siri‌ to hang up for you. Just say:

Hey ‌Siri‌, hang up.

Be aware that the person at the end of the line will be able to hear you, so take care if you want to avoid awkward social situations!

If this doesn’t work, check the feature is enabled in settings.

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap Siri & Search.
  • Tap Siri Call Hangup.
  • Toggle the switch to on.

Want to discover more about using Siri, Apple’s popular virtual assistant? We’ve written a helpful collection of tutorials full of techniques for using apps, dictation, using Siri Shortcuts, and a comprehensive beginner’s guide to activating and using Siri.