How Do You Fix Call Failed on Apple Watch?

The “Call Failed” message on an Apple Watch usually shows up as soon as you try to make a call, but the call ends right away without connecting. This error means the watch cannot make the call through your iPhone, Wi-Fi, or its own cellular plan. The most common reason is that there is no cellular plan linked to the watch.

Other reasons include FaceTime being turned off, the iPhone being out of reach, or problems with the network.

Before trying the solutions below, restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone. Also note, most iPhones without FaceTime (especially those with models ending in EA) may display a call failed error on the Apple Watch. Additionally, when making a call from your Apple Watch, ensure you are within active Bluetooth range of your iPhone.

1. Re-Pair Your Earbuds with the Apple Watch

You may see this error if you’re trying to use earbuds with your Apple Watch but the connection is stuck or isn’t working properly. In this situation, unpairing and then re-pairing your earbuds can often fix the problem.

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and tap Bluetooth.

   

2. Tap the info icon next to your earbuds, then tap Forget Device.

   

3. Check if your Apple Watch can now make calls without the error.
4. If not, re-pair the earbuds with your watch and see if the issue is resolved.

2. Re-Pair the Apple Watch and iPhone

The call failed error may be caused by a temporary glitch in the connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch. Re-pairing them can help.

1. Bring your Apple Watch and iPhone close together.
2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
3. Go to the My Watch tab and tap your watch (near the top of the screen).
4. Tap the Info button.

   

5. Tap Unpair Apple Watch. You may be asked whether you want to keep or remove the cellular plan.

   

6. Tap Confirm to unpair. Enter your Apple ID and password if required.
7. Restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone.
8. After restarting, re-pair your watch and iPhone to see if the issue is fixed.

3. Disable Optimized Battery Charging in iPhone Settings

Optimized Battery Charging is designed to slow battery aging by learning your charging habits, but sometimes it can interfere with how your Apple Watch communicates with your iPhone. Turning off this setting may help.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Battery.

   

2. Tap Battery Health and disable Optimized Battery Charging.

   

3. Check if your Apple Watch can now make calls as expected.

4. Disable Wi-Fi Calling and Handoff on Apple Watch and iPhone

Your Apple Watch can make calls using Wi-Fi (learn more). The Handoff feature lets you switch between Apple devices easily. Sometimes, if these features are stuck or not working properly, you may see the call failure. Turning them off and on again can help.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Phone.
2. Tap Wi-Fi Calling and turn off Allow Calls on Other Devices.

   

3. Tap the back button and turn off Wi-Fi Calling.

   

4. Open iPhone Settings and tap General.

   

5. Tap AirPlay & Handoff and turn off Handoff.

   

6. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch, tap General, and disable Handoff.

   

7. Restart both devices. When they’re back on, check if the call failed error is gone.
8. If not, enable these options again and try making a call from your Apple Watch once more.

5. Unlock Your iPhone Before Calling Through the Apple Watch

Sometimes, there’s a bug that prevents you from making calls from your Apple Watch if your iPhone’s screen is locked. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked before trying to place a call from your Apple Watch.

1. Unlock your iPhone, then try making a call from your Apple Watch to see if it works.
2. If successful, try locking your phone and placing another call to confirm the error is resolved.

6. Unlock the Apple Watch Using Your iPhone

A glitch between devices can occasionally cause call errors. Unlocking your Apple Watch via your iPhone rather than directly on the watch can clear up this problem. Many users have found this method helpful.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap Passcode.
2. Enable Unlock with iPhone.

   

3. Restart your Apple Watch and iPhone.
4. Once restarted, do not unlock the Apple Watch directly. Instead, unlock your iPhone and try making a call by manually dialing a number on your watch (not picking from contacts) to check if the issue is fixed.

7. Toggle Bluetooth on Apple Watch and iPhone

Your Apple Watch uses Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi) to communicate with your iPhone. Sometimes, toggling Bluetooth off and on can reset the connection and solve the issue. Be sure to keep Wi-Fi enabled during this process if you aren’t using a mobile data plan.

1. Restart your Apple Watch and iPhone. Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch and go to Settings.
2. Tap Bluetooth and switch Bluetooth off. If it’s already off, turn it on.

   

3. Check to see if you can now make calls through your Apple Watch.

8. Toggle Wi-Fi on Apple Watch and iPhone

The Apple Watch needs either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect to your iPhone. Sometimes, toggling Wi-Fi can help resolve calling issues.

1. Turn off your Wi-Fi router and unplug it from the power outlet.
2. Wait for 5 minutes, then plug the router back in and turn it on.
3. Restart your Apple Watch and iPhone as well.
4. Try making a call from your Apple Watch.
5. If it still doesn’t work, swipe up on your watch face to open the Control Center.
6. Tap the Wi-Fi icon to turn Wi-Fi off. If it’s already off, turn it on and connect both devices to the same network.

   

7. Try making another call from your watch to check if the error is fixed.

9. Update Your iPhone’s iOS to the Latest Version

Apple regularly releases iOS updates with bug fixes and improvements. Running outdated software might be causing your problem. Updating your iPhone’s iOS could resolve the issue.

1. Perform a backup of your iPhone first.
2. Connect your iPhone to a power source and a Wi-Fi network (check the update size if you’re using cellular data).
3. Open Settings and tap General.

   

4. Tap Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.

   

5. Once the update is complete, see if your Apple Watch can now make calls.

10. Update Your Apple Watch to the Latest WatchOS

Keeping your Apple Watch’s operating system updated can solve bugs and glitches like the call failed error.

1. Update your iPhone’s iOS first (see Solution 9).
2. Charge your Apple Watch to at least 50% and connect it to Wi-Fi.
3. Open Settings on your watch and tap General.
4. Tap Software Update. If there’s an update available, follow the prompts to download and install it.

   

5. After updating, check if your Apple Watch can make calls without error.

11. Reset Your Apple Watch to Factory Defaults

If re-pairing hasn’t worked, there’s a chance your Apple Watch’s system is corrupted. Resetting it to factory settings may resolve persistent issues.

1. Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone (see Solution 2).
2. Open Settings on your watch and tap General.
3. Tap Reset, then choose Erase All Content and Settings. (You may be asked if you want to keep or remove your data plan.)
4. Confirm by tapping Erase All.

   

5. Restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone.
6. After restarting, re-pair your devices and see if the issue is resolved.