How to Make Hands-Free Calls on the iPhone

Do you find yourself answering the phone and quickly putting it in speakerphone mode so you can use your iPhone hands-free? Do you find it annoying to scroll through contacts, calls, and messages just to make a phone call? Well, there’s an easier way. You can set your iPhone settings to place and receive calls hands-free, automatically, within the Settings app. It’s part of Apple's accessibility and Hey Siri features. Here’s how to use Siri to make calls and have them automatically answer on speaker so you never have to use your hands.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

  • Answer calls hands-free and automatically on speaker, so you never have to touch your iPhone.
  • Make calls with Siri completely hands-free so you can stay busy while getting work done. 

How to Use Siri to Make Hands-Free Calls

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Learn how to download the latest iOS.

As an artist, it's not unusual for my hands to be covered in paint or charcoal when I need to answer the phone. Additionally, I find I have the same problem when I want to make a call. If you want to be able to use your iPhone as a hands-free device, there are two different settings you need to enable. If you like learning cool tips and tricks about your iPhone, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

How to Use Siri to Make a Call:

You'll need to make sure Hey Siri is on to place calls hands-free on an iPhone.

  1. Open the Settings app.

    hands free iphone
  2. Tap Siri & Search.

    hands free phone
  3. Tap Listen for.

    iphone handsfree
  4. Enable either "Hey Siri" or "Siri" or "Hey Siri."

    hands free mode on iphone
  5. Then, under Siri & Search, tap Allow Siri When Locked.

    hands free mode for iphone
  6. To make an outgoing call, "Hey, Siri, call [name of contact]."

    iphone make calls with siri

How to Enable iPhone Hands-Free Calls:

Now, you'll need to enable the auto speaker feature in Accessibility, so you don't have to tap the speaker button.

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  1. Open the Settings app.

    make calls with siri on iphone
  2. Select Accessibility.

    automatic speaker phone on calls
  3. Select Touch.

    automatically enable speaker on a call
  4. Scroll down and tap on Call Audio Routing.

    set automatic speaker phone
  5. Select Speaker.

    siri automatically answers call on speaker

Your call audio will automatically be routed to speakerphone from now on. In the same settings, you can also choose Bluetooth Headset instead if you’d like your calls to be routed that way. You can also answer calls directly on your AirPods.

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Author Details

Abbey Dufoe's picture

Author Details

Abbey Dufoe

Abbey Dufoe is a freelance writer and a web producer at a nonprofit based in Princeton, NJ. She's always itching for the newest iOS gadget (current favorite - the Apple Watch). She tweets and blogs about the earth and the Internet on Twitter at @abbeydufoe and at abbeydufoe.com.