If you’re like most people, you probably have a phone in your pocket and a smile on your face when you answer a call. But if you’re an iPhone user, there are some things you need to know in order to make and answer phone calls on your Mac. First, make sure that your Mac is up to date with the latest security patches. This will help protect your data and ensure that calls are answered properly. Next, be sure that the phone number that is being called is actually connected to the Mac. If it’s not, then the call will be dropped or will be answered incorrectly. Finally, be sure to set up caller ID preferences so that calls show up as they should on your screen instead of just going through the speakerphone. This will help keep track of who is calling and who is answering the phone.
How to Forward Cellular Calls to Your Mac
First, you’ll need to make sure all your devices are signed into iCloud on the same account or else you won’t be able to share anything between them. You’ll also need to be running iOS 8.1 or later on your phone and macOS Yosemite or later on your Mac. Both of your devices will need to be powered on and connected to the same WiFi.
You’ll need to enable call forwarding on both devices. First, open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Phone” category and then “Calls on Other Devices.” Make sure this option is enabled, and make sure that your MacBook is also allowed to connect.
Next, open the FaceTime app on Mac. Make sure you’re signed into FaceTime and have your account enabled. If you do, you’ll be able to open the FaceTime preferences with Command+Comma or from the “FaceTime” dropdown in the top menu bar. Click the checkbox next to “Calls from iPhone.”
Your devices are now linked. If you want to add new devices in the future, you’ll need to re-allow them in your iPhone’s settings.
Making and Answering Calls From Your Mac
Answering a call is simple—once your devices are linked, you’ll get all notified of every phone call on your Mac as well. You can press accept or decline from this notification to open FaceTime.
You can still pick up on your phone, which will make your Mac will stop ringing and vice versa.
To make calls, you’ll need to open the FaceTime app. You’ll see a list of recent and missed calls, and you can click the phone icon next to anyone on this list to call them again.
If you need to make a new call, you’ll need to type their contact name into the search box or type their phone number (or Apple ID) into it directly, and press call. When you’re calling other FaceTime users, keep in mind that “FaceTime” is a video call and “FaceTime Audio” is a regular phone call.
How to Disable Call Forwarding
If you find it annoying that all your devices will ring simultaneously, you can turn it off from your iPhone’s settings, since the calls will still be routed through your iPhone. The process is the same as enabling it; open the Settings app, click “Phone,” then “Calls on Other Devices,” and then disable the “Allow Calls on Other Devices” option.
Alternatively, if you’d like to prevent a specific device from ringing, you can disallow that device from receiving calls in “Allow Calls On.”
How to Make Calls Without an iPhone
If you don’t have an iPhone, you can try using a VoIP program like Skype to make cellular phone calls from your Mac. You’ll have to pay for your number, but otherwise, you’ll be stuck only calling other Apple users.
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