iPad User Guide

Answer or decline incoming calls on iPad

You can answer, silence, or decline an incoming call. If you decline a call, it goes to voicemail. You can also respond to a call with a text.

Answer a call

Do one of the following:

Tip: You can have Siri announce incoming calls, which you can accept or decline using your voice.

Silence a call

Press the side button or either volume button when a call is coming in.

You can still answer a silenced call until it goes to voicemail.

Note: You can also automatically screen and silence calls from unknown numbers. See Screen or silence unknown numbers.

Decline a call and send it directly to voicemail

Do one of the following for an incoming call:

You can also swipe down on the call banner for more options. Do any of the following:

  • Tap Remind Me, then choose when you want a reminder to return the call.

  • Tap Message, then choose a default reply or tap Custom.

    To create your own default replies, go to Settings 👁 Image
     > Apps > Phone > Respond with Text, tap any field below Respond With, then type your own reply.

Note: In some countries or regions, declined calls are disconnected without being sent to voicemail.

Ask a caller for more information without answering a call

When you receive a call, you can type a message asking the caller for more information before deciding whether to answer.

Tap Type to Reply, then type the message you want your iPad to say to the caller. Their reply will appear on your screen as text.

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