Conference calling—also known as a three-way call—allows you to speak with multiple people on the same phone call using your device’s built-in calling features. It’s a practical tool for work meetings, quick group conversations, family coordination, or customer support without needing third-party apps.
Both Android phones and iPhones support conference calls, but the exact steps and available features can vary depending on your device, operating system, and mobile carrier.
Availability
Conference calling availability, participant limits, and features depend on your mobile carrier. Some carriers restrict conference calls when using VoLTE (Voice over LTE) or Wi-Fi Calling.
How to Make a 3-Way Call on Android
All modern Android phones follow nearly the same process for starting a conference call. While button placement may differ slightly by device, the steps are essentially identical.
Steps to Start a Conference Call on Android
Open the Phone app on your Android device and make the first call.
- Call the first person and wait for the call to connect.
- Once connected, tap Add Call (usually shown as a plus (+) icon).
- Dial the second person or select them from your contacts.
Before merging, you can tap Swap or Switch to move between callers and speak to one person at a time.
When ready, tap Merge Calls to combine both calls into one conversation.
You can repeat this process to add additional participants, if allowed by your carrier.
How to Make a Conference Call on iPhone (iOS)
Apple’s iPhone supports conference calls with up to five participants, depending on your carrier and network configuration.
Note: Conference calls or certain features like merging or adding callers may not be available if your call is using VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling.
Start a 3-Way or Conference Call on iPhone
Open the Phone app and make the first call:
- Call the first person and wait for the call to connect.
- Tap the 3-dot ellipsis/More, then tap Add People.
- Call the second person and wait for them to answer.
- Tap Merge Calls to combine the calls into a single conference.
Repeat these steps to add more people, if your carrier supports additional participants.
Managing a Conference Call on iPhone
Once the conference call is active, iOS provides several controls:
Talk Privately With One Person
- Tap More Info
- Tap Private next to the participant’s name
To return to the group call, tap Merge Calls
Add an Incoming Caller
- Tap Hold Call & Answer
After the call connects, tap Merge Calls
Remove Someone From the Call
- Tap More Info
- Tap End next to the person you want to disconnect
Why Conference Calling May Not Work
If you’re unable to create or merge calls on iPhone, possible reasons include:
- Your mobile carrier does not support conference calling
- VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling is enabled
You’ve reached the maximum number of participants allowedNetwork or plan restrictions
If problems continue, contact your mobile carrier to confirm conference calling support on your account.
For official Apple guidance and the latest iOS details, you can learn more directly from Apple’s support documentation on having and making a conference call.
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