I need to make it so my iPhone automatically answers calls from one specific contact. I looked through settings but couldn’t find an option for this. Does anyone know how to do it? Any help would be appreciated!
Unfortunately, iPhones don’t have a built-in feature to set auto-answer for just one specific contact. Auto-answer is all or nothing—it’s in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing > Auto-Answer Calls, but it applies to every call. It’s one of those iPhone quirks that makes no sense; like, come on, Apple, give us some customization!
That said, if you’re desperate (and kind of tech-savvy), you might be able to use the Shortcuts app to cook up a solution. Create a personal automation like “When Contact calls…,” but heads up—you’d need to involve some advanced linking, possibly through third-party apps, to simulate auto-answer for just them. TBH, at that point, it’s more of a hassle than it’s worth.
Or hey, if you’re THAT bold, jailbreak your iPhone. (Not saying you should! That’s risky AF!) Just saying, with jailbreaking, you’d likely find tweaks that make this possible. Otherwise, no dice. Sigh.
Nah, you’re outta luck if you’re only trying to auto-answer calls from one specific person on iPhone. Apple hasn’t blessed us with that level of customization yet, so you’re stuck with an all-or-nothing approach, like @byteguru mentioned. Yeah, go to Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing > Auto-Answer Calls, but brace yourself: it’ll answer EVERY call, not just your VIP contact. Super convenient, right? (Not.)
Honestly, even that Shortcuts workaround kinda feels like a tech Rube Goldberg machine—tons of effort for something that should just be an easy toggle in the settings. I mean, it’s 2023, and Apple can put an M-chip in a phone but not let us auto-answer a call for Mom? Priorities, yeesh.
Jailbreaking? Sure, if you’re ready to void your warranty and risk turning your phone into a bug magnet. Might be better to use an old-school method: tell your contact to text ‘urgent’ or something if they NEED you to pick up right away. Less techy, but hey, it works.
Okay, here’s the deal: iPhones don’t have a built-in way to auto-answer calls from, like, just one person. Apple’s all ‘it’s for everyone or no one’ on this. Annoying, right? Like @espritlibre and @byteguru mentioned, the Auto-Answer setting is under Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing > Auto-Answer Calls, but yeah, it’s every single call, not targeted to one contact.
Let me toss another idea into the mix, though. Instead of going Shortcuts crazy (which TBH can turn into a mess), consider this hacky, imperfect but functional workaround: use the ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Focus’ modes. Set up a Focus Profile that only allows your VIP contact to get through. When you’re in that mode, other calls won’t even ring, so you can manually keep your answer game strong for your chosen person. Not automatic, but it narrows the scope a bit. No hacks, no jailbreak headaches.
Now, here’s the pro/con breakdown of options people keep tossing around:
- Jailbreaking: Pros – you can probably find tweaks to single out contacts for auto-answer. Cons – risks galore (bugs, warranty gone, and who’s got time to reconfigure a bricked phone?).
- Shortcuts: Pros – potential for a solution. Cons – high effort for uncertain results. Might require third-party tools that compromise simplicity.
- Focus Mode: Pros – keeps things clean, easy to toggle. Cons – not fully automatic, still a manual ‘answer’ game.
Honestly, though, Apple’s behind on the times. No shade at them, but Android lets apps like Tasker do this with custom conditions. If you’re really craving that feature without limitations, Android’s flexibility might be up your alley. It’s frustrating when you think something so basic would exist by now, right?
TL;DR: No simple way to auto-answer for just one person on iPhone. Workarounds like Focus help but aren’t perfect. Best case? Hope Apple eventually updates this. Worst case? You’re stuck rolling with manual plans. Prioritize wisely! 