How to 3 Way Call on iPhone: Conference Call Guide (2026)

January 31, 2026 8 min read BubblyPhone Team

Learn how to make a 3 way call on iPhone step-by-step. Add participants, merge calls, manage conference calls, and fix common issues.

Can You Make Conference Calls on iPhone?

Yes, your iPhone has built-in support for 3 way calling (also called conference calling). You can add up to five total participants on most carriers—all without downloading any apps.

The feature works by:

  • Calling your first contact
  • Adding a second call (first person goes on hold)
  • Merging both calls together

    • It's straightforward once you know the steps, but there are some carrier-specific limitations to be aware of.

    How to Make a 3 Way Call on iPhone

    Here's the step-by-step process to set up a three-way call:

    Step 1: Call the First Person

  • Open the Phone app on your iPhone
  • Dial the first person's number or select them from your contacts
  • Tap the Call button and wait for them to answer
  • Let them know you'll be adding another person to the call

    • Step 2: Add the Second Person

  • While on the call, tap the Add Call button (looks like a "+" icon)
  • Your first caller is automatically placed on hold—they'll hear hold music or silence
  • Dial the second person's number or select from contacts
  • Tap Call and wait for them to answer

    • Step 3: Merge the Calls

  • Once the second person answers, you'll see both calls on your screen
  • Tap the Merge Calls button
  • All three of you are now connected on the same call

    • That's it! You now have a 3 way call. The other participants can hear each other and you.

    How to Add More People to a Conference Call

    Need more than three people? You can add up to five total participants (including yourself) on most carrier plans:

  • While on your current conference call, tap Add Call
  • All current participants are placed on hold
  • Dial the new person and wait for them to answer
  • Tap Merge Calls to add them to the conference

    • Repeat this process until you reach your carrier's limit (typically 5 participants).

    How to Add an Incoming Caller to Your Conference

    If someone calls you while you're already on a conference call:

  • You'll see the incoming call notification
  • Tap Hold & Accept to answer the new call (your conference is placed on hold)
  • Once connected, tap Merge Calls
  • The new caller joins your existing conference

    • This is handy when you're expecting a third party to call in rather than calling them yourself.

    How to Manage Conference Call Participants

    Once you have multiple people on a call, you can manage them individually.

    View All Participants

  • During the conference call, tap the info button (ⓘ) next to the call timer
  • You'll see a list of everyone on the call
  • Only the person who started the conference can see all names

    • Remove Someone from the Call

  • Tap the info button (ⓘ)
  • Find the person you want to remove
  • Tap the red End button next to their name
  • They're disconnected while everyone else stays on the call

    • Have a Private Conversation

    Want to speak with just one person without others hearing?

  • Tap the info button (ⓘ)
  • Tap Private next to the person you want to speak with
  • Everyone else is placed on hold
  • When finished, tap Merge Calls to bring everyone back together

    • How to End a Conference Call

    You have two options:

    End the entire call: Tap the red End Call button. This disconnects you from the conference, but the other participants may stay connected to each other (depends on carrier).

    Leave while others continue: On some carriers, if you started the call and hang up, the call ends for everyone. On others, the remaining participants can continue talking.

    Carrier Requirements and Limitations

    Not all carriers support conference calling the same way. Here's what you need to know:

    Carrier Support

    What If "Merge Calls" Doesn't Appear?

    If you don't see the Merge Calls option, possible causes include:

  • Carrier doesn't support it: Some prepaid or budget plans don't include conference calling
  • Feature not activated: Contact your carrier to enable it
  • VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling interference: Try disabling Wi-Fi Calling in Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling
  • Network issues: One of the calls may not be fully connected
  • International call: Conference calling to international numbers may not be supported

    • If you're having trouble with calls in general, you might also want to learn about call forwarding codes to redirect calls when needed.

    Troubleshooting Common Issues

    "Add Call" Button is Grayed Out

    Causes:

  • Carrier doesn't support conference calling
  • Current call is using Wi-Fi Calling
  • Network connection issues

    • Solutions:

  • Disable Wi-Fi Calling: Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling → Off
  • Move to an area with better cellular signal
  • Contact your carrier to verify conference calling is on your plan

    • Calls Won't Merge

    Causes:

  • One call is on a different network type
  • VoLTE incompatibility between calls
  • Carrier limitation

    • Solutions:

  • Try the call again with both people
  • Disable VoLTE: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data → LTE, VoLTE Off
  • Use FaceTime Audio instead (works over internet)

    • Poor Audio Quality on Conference Calls

    Causes:

  • Weak cellular signal
  • Too many participants
  • One participant on a bad connection

    • Solutions:

  • Move to an area with better signal
  • Ask participants with poor connections to call back
  • Use speakerphone or AirPods for better audio pickup

    • Conference Call Drops Unexpectedly

    Causes:

  • Signal loss
  • Carrier timeout (some have time limits)
  • Phone overheating during long calls

    • Solutions:

  • Ensure stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection
  • Keep calls under carrier's time limit if applicable
  • Give phone a break if it's warm

    • Alternatives to iPhone Conference Calling

    If the built-in conference call feature doesn't meet your needs, consider these alternatives:

    FaceTime Group Calls

  • Participants: Up to 32 people
  • Requirements: All participants need Apple devices
  • Bonus: Video option available
  • How: Open FaceTime → New FaceTime → Add participants → Tap Audio or Video

    • WhatsApp Group Calls

  • Participants: Up to 32 people
  • Requirements: All participants need WhatsApp
  • Works on: iPhone and Android
  • How: Open group chat → Tap call icon → Select participants

    • Zoom

  • Participants: Up to 100 (free plan)
  • Requirements: Zoom app (free)
  • Bonus: Screen sharing, recording, virtual backgrounds
  • How: Create meeting → Share link with participants

    • Google Meet

  • Participants: Up to 100 (free plan)
  • Requirements: Google account
  • Works on: Any device with browser or app
  • How: Create meeting at meet.google.com → Share link

    • Skype

  • Participants: Up to 100
  • Requirements: Skype app or account
  • Works on: All devices
  • How: Create group → Call all participants

    • Tips for Better Conference Calls

    Before the Call

  • Test the feature with a friend first
  • Ensure adequate battery life (conference calls drain faster)
  • Find a quiet location
  • Have all phone numbers ready

    • During the Call

  • Mute yourself when not speaking (reduces background noise)
  • Identify yourself when speaking if participants don't know each other
  • Use headphones for clearer audio
  • Don't interrupt—it's harder to recover in conference calls

    • For Business Calls

  • Send calendar invites with call details
  • Start on time—waiting for participants wastes everyone's time
  • Have an agenda
  • Summarize action items at the end

    • If you need to document important conference calls, check out our guide on how to record phone calls on iPhone.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you do a 3 way call on iPhone?

    Call the first person, tap Add Call, dial the second person, then tap Merge Calls once they answer. All three of you will be connected on the same call.

    How many people can be on an iPhone conference call?

    Most carriers support 5-6 participants total (including yourself). The exact limit depends on your carrier and plan. For larger groups, use FaceTime (32 people) or apps like Zoom (100+ people).

    Why can't I merge calls on my iPhone?

    Common causes include: carrier doesn't support conference calling, Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE interference, network issues, or the feature isn't enabled on your plan. Try disabling Wi-Fi Calling in Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling.

    Can the other person add someone to a 3 way call?

    No, only the person who initiated the conference call can add new participants. If another person needs to add someone, they would need to start a new call.

    Do conference calls cost extra on iPhone?

    On most unlimited plans, conference calls use your regular minutes and don't cost extra. On limited minute plans, each participant's time may count against your minutes. Check with your carrier.

    Can you record a 3 way call on iPhone?

    With iOS 18.1+, yes—use the built-in recording feature in the Phone app. All participants will hear "This call is being recorded." For older iOS versions, use third-party apps like TapeACall.

    Can you conference call between iPhone and Android?

    Yes, conference calling works between any phones regardless of type. The feature uses the cellular network, not internet, so iPhone-to-Android calls merge just like iPhone-to-iPhone calls.

    Why does my conference call drop when I add someone?

    This usually happens due to network issues or carrier limitations. Ensure you have a strong signal before adding participants. Some carriers also limit conference call duration.

    Can you do a 3 way call on FaceTime?

    Yes! FaceTime supports group audio calls with up to 32 participants. Open FaceTime → New FaceTime → Add multiple contacts → Tap Audio. This works over WiFi or cellular data.

    Does the person on hold hear the other conversation?

    No, when you tap Add Call, the first person is placed on hold and can't hear your conversation with the second person until you merge the calls.

    Related iPhone Features

    Managing phone calls effectively involves more than just conference calls. Check out these related guides:

  • Call Forwarding Codes — Redirect calls to another number when you're busy
  • How to Record Phone Calls on iPhone — Record important conference calls with iOS 18
  • How to Schedule Texts on iPhone — Send messages at the perfect time
  • Auto Reply Text iPhone — Automatically respond when you're on calls

    • Wrapping Up

    Making a 3 way call on iPhone is simple once you know the steps: call the first person, add the second, and merge. Most carriers support up to 5-6 participants, and you can manage each person individually during the call.

    Key takeaways:

  • Tap Add Call to dial a second person (first goes on hold)
  • Tap Merge Calls to connect everyone
  • Up to 5-6 participants depending on carrier
  • If Merge Calls is missing, check carrier support or disable Wi-Fi Calling
  • For larger groups, use FaceTime (32) or Zoom (100+)

    • Whether you're coordinating with family, running a quick business meeting, or catching up with friends, iPhone conference calling has you covered.

    Last updated: January 2026

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