Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you receive a call on your iPhone, you get two distinct screens? One moment it is two buttons — a red one to decline and a green one to accept — and at other times, it is just a simple slider that says “slide to answer.” What is going on here?
Understanding iPhone’s Two Incoming Call Screens
Apple actually provides two different incoming call screens depending on the state of your device. If your iPhone is unlocked and actively being used, it shows the two familiar buttons: red to decline and green to accept. But if your iPhone is locked, it instead presents the slider saying “slide to answer,” without any obvious option to decline.
Why Does Apple Use Two Screens?
The reason behind this split design is simple: to prevent accidental actions. Imagine having your phone in your pocket, bag, or purse — physical buttons could easily be pressed unintentionally. Apple introduced the slider on the locked screen because it is harder to activate by mistake, ensuring that users do not accidentally accept or reject calls without realising it.
A Brief History of iPhone Call Screens
This was not always how it worked. In fact, during the first five versions of iOS, iPhones only had one incoming call screen with red and green buttons, no matter what. However, users complained about accidental declines and acceptances when fishing their phones out of pockets to see who was calling.
Listening to these complaints, Apple introduced the “slide to answer” feature starting with iOS 6 — but here’s the thing, it was not a brand-new idea. Apple had already been using a similar sliding gesture to unlock the iPhone since the very first model. This move was inspired by a real-world problem at the time: accidental "butt dialing."
Butt Dialling and How It Shaped Design
If you have ever owned an old mobile phone, you probably experienced or heard of "butt dialling" — when a phone in someone’s back pocket accidentally called a random number. It was incredibly common before smartphones.
When the iPhone debuted, many thought touchscreens would make accidental calls even worse. Fortunately, the slide-to-unlock feature nearly eliminated the problem. So when it came to incoming calls, applying the same logic made perfect sense. The sliding motion meant you had to intentionally interact with your screen, making mistakes much less likely.
How to Decline a Call on the Slider Screen
Here is something many users still do not know: even though the slider screen does not show a decline button, you can still decline a call. If you find yourself staring at the “slide to answer” screen and want to reject the call quickly, simply double-press the side button on your iPhone. It is not obvious, but it works perfectly once you know the trick.
Modern iOS Updates and User Reactions
Since introducing these two call screens, Apple has made subtle tweaks but has largely kept the system the same. Most users appreciate the practicality, but a few wish for a more intuitive way to decline calls without needing hidden gestures.
Some have even suggested an optional setting that could allow visible decline buttons on the slider screen for those who prefer it. Whether Apple will ever implement such an option remains to be seen.
Lessons Learned from iPhone Design Choices
This small design tweak reveals a lot about Apple’s design philosophy: protecting users from their own mistakes through clever, thoughtful interfaces. The goal has always been seamless, frustration-free user experience. In this case, a simple slider dramatically improved how we answer calls and reduced accidental declines — a seemingly minor change that made a huge difference.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the visible buttons or the slider, understanding why they exist helps you appreciate the thought behind the iPhone’s design. Next time you receive a call, you will know exactly why the screen looks the way it does — and how to handle it like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone sometimes show buttons and other times a slider?
It depends on whether your iPhone is locked or unlocked. If locked, it shows the slider; if unlocked, it shows buttons.
How can I decline a call when the slider appears?
Double-press the side button on your iPhone to decline the call even when the slider is showing.
Was the slider to answer feature always available?
No, it was introduced in iOS 6 to address complaints about accidental call handling.
What is butt dialling?
Butt dialling happens when a mobile phone accidentally calls a number while in a pocket or bag, often without the user realising it.
Did older phones experience more butt dialling?
Yes, especially older feature phones without screen locks. The issue was widespread before smartphones adopted better locking mechanisms.
Is there a way to show a decline button on the slider screen?
Currently, no official setting allows this, but you can decline with the side button trick.
Why did Apple choose a slide gesture instead of a button?
Sliding requires a deliberate action, making accidental answering or declining much less likely.
Can I change how incoming calls are displayed?
Not directly. The behaviour is tied to whether your iPhone is locked or unlocked and cannot be changed through settings.
Does the slide to answer feature exist on Android phones?
Some Android phones also use slide gestures for answering calls, but implementation varies by manufacturer.
Will future iPhones have a new way to answer calls?
It is possible. Apple regularly updates user interfaces based on feedback and technological advances, so new methods could emerge.
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