macbook pro

apple call relay

Call relay is part of Apple’s Continuity features.  It allows you to answer and place calls from your iPhone using your Mac.  This means that you don’t have to search for your phone in the mess that is your bed.  Or is that just me?  Because call relay uses the same phone number, carrier, and plan as your iPhone, the person who you’re calling won’t be able to tell the difference.  It also shows you the caller’s phone number, contact picture, and well, anything else you need to know about them (so long as it’s in your contacts), so you won’t lose out.  Not only that, but it’s incredibly easy to use.  In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know!

Before we get started, you have to make sure that your system will allow it. In order for call relay to work, both your iPhone and Mac need to be:

  • Running iOS 8.1 or later on iPhone, OS X Yosemite or later on Mac.
  • Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account).

Enable or Disable Call Relay on your Mac

  1. Launch FaceTime from the Dock or Finder.
  2. Click on FaceTime in the top menu.
  3. Click on Preferences.
  4. Click the checkbox next to Calls from iPhone.

In order to disable Call Relay, you just have to repeat the same steps and uncheck the box, as outlined in step #4 above.  Something you should know is that neither the FaceTime app on your phone, or on your Mac actually need to be active, or running in order to enable your Mac to place and take calls.  The preferences to manage this particular feature are found within the FaceTime settings.  This part of it can be a bit confusing, but it’s just where it’s located in the settings.  You can safely exit out of FaceTime on your Mac and it will still work.

Enable Call Relay on your iPhone

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Tap Calls on Other Devices.
  4. Tap the switch next to Allow Calls on Other Devices.
  5. Tap the switch next to each device on which you want to allow calls.

Answer a Phone Call on your Mac

Answering a call is really easy, and in fact, there is only one step.  Simply click Accept to answer when the notification pops up on your Mac.  Declining the call is also just as simple.  Simply click Decline when the notification pops up on your Mac.  Alternatively, you can click the drop-down arrow and choose to be reminded of the call in 5 minutes, 15 minutes or an hour.

Placing a Call on your Mac

  1. Launch FaceTime from the Dock or Finder.
  2. Enter someone’s name or phone number where it says Enter a name, email, or number.
  3. Click the phone button.
  4. Click the number under Call using iPhone

Transfer a Call from Mac to iPhone During the Call

If you’d like to continue your call that started on your Mac on your iPhone, you can easily transfer mid-call:

  1. Unlock your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Touch to return to call banner at the top of your screen.
  3. Tap the audio button.
  4. Tap iPhone.
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