How to Set Up and Manage Conference Calls on iPhone

When Bell Labs introduced the conference concept in 1956, it was considered a great way to talk to two or more people at the same time. This concept, everyone knows, has been added to mobile phones. While they may feel old fashioned in the presence of video calls these days, group calls still come in handy especially when there’s internet connectivity issues. If you’re having trouble or don’t know how to make a conference call on your iPhone, read on.

As you read this guide, we’ll help you discover a wide range of features to manage your conference calls efficiently. Let’s start with learning how to set up a conference call, gradually moving into call management.

Note: You can add up to five people (including you) to an iPhone conference call in the US depending on your network service provider. Popular carriers like AT&T and Verizon support up to 5 callers.

How to make a conference call on iPhone

Starting a conference call on iPhone is pretty simple, and you can also join the call on a Bluetooth headset. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Open the Phone app on your iPhone and click on the Keyboard option.

If you remember the person’s number, dial the number or go to the next step.

Step 2: Now, tap on Contacts at the bottom.

Step 3: Locate and tap the contact you want to call and select mobile.

Wait for the person to receive the call. Post that, you can add a second person to the call.

Step 4: Now, tap on add call and select the contact you want to add to the group call.

If you haven’t saved their contact number and want to dial their number, use the keyboard option at the bottom.

Step 5: When the second person is added, the first person will automatically be kept. To create a conference call, tap merge calls.

Once you complete the above steps, you should be able to create a tripartite call on your iPhone. The call name will be displayed in ‘Person1 & Person2’ format. If you want to initiate a 4-way call, just repeat the above process.

Note: Only the conference call organizer can see all the participants.

Now, if there’s a conversation going on between other people on a conference call and you don’t want to disturb them. Or, if you might want to put it on hold without having to exit an ongoing call, use the mute option.

How to mute iPhone during a conference call

When you are on a conference call, you can mute the audio from your side. All you need to do is click on the mute icon on the call screen, as shown in the image below.

But wait, what if someone is calling you and you want them to join your group call? Thankfully, the iPhone gives you an easy option to do just that.

Add incoming callers to a group phone call on iPhone

Step 1: When you receive an incoming call, you will find three different options to answer that call. Click Hold & Accept.

The existing conference call will be paused to accommodate the new incoming call.

Step 2: Now, click on call merge.

This is all you need to do to turn an incoming call into a conference call. However, now that you have multiple people on a call, you may want to convey some information to just one person. This means that what you say must not be heard by the other two. Fortunately, there is an option in the call screen that allows you to do that without disconnecting the call.

How to talk privately on an iPhone conference call

Here’s how you can use the private option to talk to a select few people on a call without the rest of you listening.

Step 1: On the conference call screen, tap the i icon.

Step 2: Now you will get a list of people on the call. Select private under the name of the person you intend to talk to privately.

Note: Availability of the private feature depends on the carrier network you use. Unfortunately, it will be greyed out and inaccessible if your carrier doesn’t support it. (as in our case)

Using this option, you can talk to selected people while making sure everyone else stays on the call. However, if you want to talk to a select number of people and don’t mind removing others from the conference call, you can use the End button.

How to Remove a Person from a Group Call on iPhone

Here’s how you can use the end button to remove a person from a conference call.

Step 1: Click the i icon on the group call screen.

Step 2: Click Finish below the name of the person you intend to delete.

These are all the options you need to know regarding conference call management and control. In case you are comfortable with the steps but have some related questions, check out the FAQ section below.

iPhone Conference Call FAQ

1. Why can’t I merge calls?

You may have to check that everyone on the call is on a good network. If not, it’s likely that the VoLTE feature enabled is preventing you from merging calls. To turn it off: go to Settings > Cellular/Cellular > Cellular/Cellular Data Options > Enable LTE > disable or Data Only.

2. How do I add more than 5 people to a conference call on iPhone?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to add more than 5 people using the iPhone’s default phone app. However, you can use WhatsApp or FaceTime to do that.

3. Does everyone on the conference call need to use an iPhone?

No, if the call is over a cellular network, not everyone is necessarily using an iPhone.

4. How long can you join the conference call?

There is no limit to the length of a conference call on iPhone.

Make conference calls on iPhone the easy way

This is all you need to do to hold conference calls on iPhone. Group calls are a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. Furthermore, we are quite impressed with the number of options that the iPhone gives you to do so. What other options would you like to see on iPhone conference calls? I think they should increase the number of people we can add to the call. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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