iOS 11 has a hidden feature that automatically answers a phone call for you. This can be a cellular call or a VoIP call from apps like WhatsApp or Skype. If you’ve been around the internet for a long time, you might remember Nokia phones with a similar feature.

It’s meant to be an Accessibility feature but it can be used for all sorts of reasons. If you’re the kind of person who always needs to pick up your phone when you’re at work, or when you’re in the car, you can enable this feature. Alternatively, you can turn this on when you have open office hours at work.

How to Enable Auto Answer for Calls

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on General -> Accessibility.

Step 3: Select Call Audio Routing.

Step 4: From the bottom, select Auto-Answer Calls.

Step 5: Tap on the toggle at the top to enable it.

Step 6: Select the duration after which the call will be answered automatically. By default, it’s at 3 seconds. But you can select anything between 0 and 60 seconds.

Use This with Do Not Disturb Mode

To make sure that this feature isn’t abused by strangers calling you, use to along with Do Not Disturb feature. Here, you can set up so that you only get calls from your Favorite contacts, which will be answered automatically after a set time.

Step 1: From Settings, tap on Do Not Disturb.

Step 2: Enable Do Not Disturb. Either use it manually or put it on Schedule.

Step 3: Tap on Allow Calls From and select Favorites.

Now, you’ll only receive calls from your Favorites list, which will be answered automatically.

How Often Do You Use The Phone Part of the iPhone?

To a lot of us, the Phone app in iPhone is the least used app. Do you mostly use texting as a way of communication? Or does your work require you to make a lot of calls? Share with us in the comments below.