Answering Phone Calls Like a Pro Guide Call
When it comes to productivity and convenience, having multiple ways to accomplish something - such as managing phone calls, email archiving, taking screenshots, or web searching - is often better than relying on a single method. You can choose the approach that suits you best or even switch between these methods depending on the situation.
With that in mind, we want to make sure you are aware that there are other options when it comes to answering phone calls, beyond simply picking up your phone and tapping the screen to answer. You may have used at least one of these methods before, but you may find something you didn't know (or learned and forgot) here.
1) How can I answer phone calls using voice commands?
You can use this smart assistant that adjusts settings for weather alerts and answering incoming phone calls - or at least use it if you're using an Android system and using Google Assistant. First, you need to ensure voice activation without voice, "Hey Google," is enabled. Then, you can use voice commands to answer or reject incoming calls.
From the Google app on your phone, click on your profile picture (top right), go to Settings, and select Google Assistant. Under the Hey Google & Voice Match section, on the "This device" tab, make sure to enable Hey Google. You'll need to use the "Hey Google" or "Ok Google" command to answer the phone.
Incoming phone calls appear as notifications on your Android phone, and all you need to do is say "Hey Google, answer the call" (or something similar) to answer without lifting a finger. You can also use the "decline the call" command if you don't want to talk to someone right now.
Another option is to use a smart speaker like Google Nest or Amazon Echo to control your phone - you can set it up through the Google Home or Amazon Alexa apps as needed. What you can't currently do is use Siri to answer incoming phone calls on an iPhone unless you have a separate pair of connected headphones.
2) How can I answer the phone Call using headphones?
People have been using Bluetooth headphones to answer phone calls, of course. Connect one of these devices to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and the phone call will be directed straight to your earphones - although the response method will vary depending on the device you use. Most modern car stereo systems now work in the same way.
In recent years, phones have become smarter when it allows you to answer a phone call without using your hands via a pair of headphones or earbuds: usually, all it requires is a single tap somewhere when the call comes in, but you still need to check the instructions that come with your device. With Sony WF-1000XM4, for example, all it takes is a double tap on one of the earbuds.
If you use certain AirPods or Beats headphones with your iPhone, you can instruct Siri to recognize the caller and use voice commands to answer the phone call. From the menu, select Phone, then choose Phone Notifications: Headphones Only, and you will hear call details in your earphones. You don't need to say 'Hey Siri' when enabling this feature; you can simply say 'Yes' to answer a phone call or 'No' to decline when prompted by Siri.
Using Google's Pixel Buds, you can click the right earbud to instantly answer incoming phone calls, but you cannot use Google Assistant for phone calls. You can use Google Assistant to make calls through Pixel Buds, but you can't answer with your voice alone.
3) How can I answer the Calls phone using my computer?
Answering a phone call from a laptop or desktop computer still seems somewhat mysterious in terms of reception, although this type of seamless technological synchronization has been around for several years. To make it work, you must at least enable it through an official solution or through Apple on all your devices or any of them.
The process is straightforward if you have an iPhone and a Mac: select 'Phone' in iPhone settings, then choose 'Calls on Other Devices' to enable the feature. Assuming you're connected with the same Apple ID and using the same Wi-Fi network, it should be automatic: an incoming phone call on your iPhone will prompt you to click a notification on macOS to answer the phone call. You can execute the same strategy using a Windows phone and an Android phone. Open the Phone Link app that comes with Windows, and then follow the on-screen setup instructions to connect your Android phone to the Windows operating system. As long as both devices are connected via Bluetooth and you enabled this connection during setup, you can click a prompt on Windows to answer a phone call on your Android device.
As of the time of writing this report, you cannot answer phone calls on Android Chromebook devices, but this feature appears to be on the way (or may come by the time you're reading this). Currently, you can share files and notifications with a Chromebook device by connecting your Android phone: in the Chrome OS, click on the clock icon, go to settings, under connected devices, select settings next to your Android phone.
