Enable Full Screen iPhone Incoming Calls
To enable full-screen incoming calls on an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls and select Full Screen. This replaces the banner-style notification with the classic full-screen caller interface that shows the caller’s name or number, photo, and large Accept/Decline buttons.
Why Did Apple Change the Call Interface?
Starting with iOS 13, Apple introduced a compact banner notification for incoming calls by default. The banner appears at the top of the screen, allowing you to continue using whatever app you were in without interruption. While this is convenient for multitasking, many users found it too easy to accidentally decline a call or miss the incoming call entirely, especially when the phone was locked or in a pocket. The full-screen interface, which was the standard before iOS 13, is still available as an option for those who prefer a more prominent, traditional call screen.
How to Switch to Full Screen (Step-by-Step)
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Tap Incoming Calls.
- Select Full Screen instead of Banner.
That’s it. The change takes effect immediately; there’s no need to restart your iPhone. The next incoming call will use the full-screen interface.
What About FaceTime and Third-Party Apps?
The setting in Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls applies to cellular calls and FaceTime audio/video calls. However, third-party apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom have their own call notification settings. Many of these apps use the system’s notification style, but some have in-app settings to choose between a banner and a full-screen alert. Check the app’s settings under Notifications or Calls to see if such an option exists. If not, the app will use the system default, which you can change in Settings > Notifications > [App Name] – but note that this only controls whether notifications appear as banners or alerts, not the full-screen call UI.
Common Problems and Fixes
- Setting is grayed out: This can happen if you have a corporate or school device with restrictions. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to see if Phone settings are blocked.
- Full screen not working for a specific contact: If you have set a custom ringtone or haptic for a contact, it should still work. If the issue persists, try restarting your iPhone or resetting all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings). This won’t delete your data, but it will reset preferences like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpapers.
- Call screen shows banner even after selecting Full Screen: Make sure you’re on a recent iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check. Some older iOS 13 betas had bugs that were later fixed.
Full Screen vs. Banner: Which Should You Choose?
The choice depends on how you use your phone. Full screen is better if you:
- Want to see the caller’s photo and name clearly.
- Frequently answer calls while driving (using CarPlay, the full screen is still shown).
- Find the banner too easy to miss or accidentally swipe away.
Banner is better if you:
- Often use your phone for navigation or video and don’t want the call to cover the entire screen.
- Prefer to ignore calls without losing your place in an app.
- Want to continue a conversation while seeing who’s calling.
You can switch back and forth anytime; there’s no downside to trying both.
Does This Setting Affect the Lock Screen?
If your iPhone is locked when a call comes in, the full-screen interface always appears, regardless of this setting. The banner option only applies when the phone is unlocked and you’re using an app. So if you’re seeing a banner on the lock screen, that’s not normal – it might be a notification from a third-party app, or you might have “Show as Banner� enabled in the app’s notification settings. For actual phone calls, the lock screen always shows the full-screen caller UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see a small banner instead of full screen?
You likely have the “Banner� option selected in Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls. Change it to “Full Screen� as described above. Also, ensure your iPhone is unlocked; when locked, calls always show full screen.
Can I set full screen for only certain contacts?
No, the setting is global for all calls. You cannot set it per contact. However, you can assign unique ringtones and haptics to specific contacts to help identify them without looking at the screen.
Does this setting apply to FaceTime calls?
Yes, FaceTime audio and video calls use the same setting. If you select “Full Screen,� FaceTime calls will also appear full screen when your phone is unlocked.
Will this drain my battery faster?
No, the full-screen interface uses the same resources as the banner. The screen is on either way; the difference is just the layout of the UI. Battery life is not affected.
I switched to Full Screen but calls still show as a banner. What’s wrong?
Check if you have an older iOS version. The setting was introduced in iOS 13. If you’re on iOS 12 or earlier, the full-screen interface is the only option, so you wouldn’t see a banner. If you’re on iOS 13 or later and the issue persists, try restarting your iPhone or resetting all settings.
Can I make the banner appear at the bottom of the screen?
No, the banner in iOS appears at the top of the screen. There is no official option to move it to the bottom. Some jailbreak tweaks might allow this, but that’s not supported by Apple.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.