Why is My Mac Taking my iPhone Calls

Apple introduced a feature known as Continuity that allows you to transition easily across all Apple’s devices. You can receive calls from your iPad, Mac, or any other Apple device as long as they share the same network as your iPhone.

Continuity also includes other sub-features such as Handoff, iPhone Cellular calls, SMS/MMS messaging, Universal Clipboard, Continuity Camera, Instant Hotspot, Continuity Markup, Continuity Sketch and Auto Unlock.

 

Why Mac is taking your iPhone calls

Your Mac is receiving your iPhone calls has an in-built feature known as Continuity. Continuity allows you to receive and make phone calls from your Apple devices. However, having all your Apple devices ringing at the same time can be annoying.  Here is what you can do to disable Continuity.

 

How to stop Mac from taking your iPhone calls

To disable the calling feature on your iPhone;

1. Go to Setting and tap the Phone
2. Scroll down until you find a Call on Other Device
3. Tap the Call on Other Device icons to turn off and disable Continuity.

To disable the calling feature on your Mac:

1. Open the app known as the FaceTime app.
2. Select FaceTime, and choose Preferences.
3. Click Settings and deselect Calls from iPhone.

How to enable Mac to take your iPhone calls

If you want other Apple devices to receive your calls, ensure they meet all the Continuity System requirements. Remember, they only work when the devices are close to each other. Moreover, ensure they are set up correctly using the following format;

• Ensure the iCloud of each gadget is logged in with the same Apple ID.
• The device FaceTime ID is identical to the Apple ID.
• The device’s Wi-Fi active.
• Mac shares the same network as your phone.

To receive and make calls across all your Apple devices, you have to set cellular calls. Besides, you should also know how to approve iPhone from Mac.

 

To set up your iPhone’s cellular call;

• Go to Setting, and click on the Phone
• Tap the Call on Other Devices to activate calls across all devices.
• Afterward, go to your Ipod’s or iPad settings.
• Click the FaceTime
• Tap the Calls from iPhone to turn it on.

 

 To enable Mac to take your iPhone calls;

• Open the FaceTime
• Click Facetime and select Preferences.
• Click the Setting icon, and toggle the Calls From iPhone icon to activate calls.

 

How to make and receive calls using Mac

To make a call using Mac;

1. Point the number you want to call in the contacts, Safari or any other app that detects your data. Click the box containing the selected number and then select Call.
2. Alternatively, you can open the FaceTime app, key in the number you want to call and then click the Calling icon.

To answer calls using Mac, follow these steps;

1. If your Mac device is open, you’ll find a notification appearing if someone is calling you. You can either answer the call or send it to voicemail.
2. Also, if you’re not in a position to answer the call, you can send the caller a message. To send a message, click the Message icon, and click New Message. Click the Send icon to send.

 

What to do if FaceTime Calls are not coming through on Mac

If you’re the kind that likes the Continuity calling feature, you can be frustrated if you learn that you can’t receive calls through Mac. If you experience such a glitch, here are some possible solutions to solve the problem:

• Check whether Mac is connected to Wi-Fi and ensure the internet is transmitting data. If other devices connect but Mac is not connecting, check your VPN and disable it if it is active.
• If you find your connection is okay, disable FaceTime and turn it back on after a while. To disable Facetime, open the FaceTime app and click the Menu. Select the Turn FaceTime Off icon. Repeat the same process to re-enable the app again.
• Check the FaceTime contact address connected to your Apple ID. If you’re using multiple addresses, confirm that you’re receiving calls from the same Apple ID. To configure addresses, Open the FaceTime app and click the main Menu bar. Select the Preferences icon, and enter your preferred address.
• Check date and time settings. Sometimes FaceTime calls can fail to go through if the time or date is not set correctly. To fix, click the Mac Status icon and tap the Open Date and Time Preferences. Scroll down until you get the Date and Time icon. You’re required to enter your MacBook’s password before you proceed. Set your preferred date and ensure the Set Date and Time Automatically box is enabled.
• Check the status of your Mac’s FaceTime server. Check whether the FaceTime server is active by visiting your Mac’s System Status page.
• Update macOS. If all the above solutions fail to fix the problem, update to the latest macOS version. To check whether there is a new update, visit the System Preferences app and click the Software Update to download the latest update.

 

Conclusion

If you are using an iPhone iOS 8.1 and later and Mac OS X Yosemite or later, it is normal to receive calls across both devices. While some people may like the Continuity feature, it can be a nuisance to others. However, you can easily set your preferences by going to Mac’s FaceTime settings.