How to Answer a Video Call From a Grandchild on Your iPhone
June 24, 2026 · by Porchswing Technology
Remember when the telephone rang and you had no idea who was on the other end until you said "Hello"? A video call is much the same — except now you can see the person calling, and they can see you. When a grandchild calls to show off a new puppy or a school art project, picking up is just a matter of knowing which button to press.
Let's walk through it together.
What a Video Call Looks Like When It Comes In
If your grandchild is calling you on FaceTime — that's Apple's video calling service, built right into your iPhone — your screen will light up and ring, just like a regular call. But there are two clues that tell you it's a video call:
The name at the top of the screen will say something like "FaceTime Video" underneath your grandchild's name. And instead of just hearing the ring, you may see a small picture of yourself in the corner — that's the camera turning on, ready to show them your face once you answer.
Answering the Call
How you answer depends on whether your phone is locked (the screen is dark when the call comes in) or unlocked (you were already using it).
If the screen is dark: You'll see a white circle on the right side that says slide to answer. Place your finger on it and slide it to the right. That's it — you're connected.
If you were already using your phone: A smaller window pops up at the top with two buttons. Tap the green Accept button. The red button hangs up, so steer clear of that one unless you mean to decline.
Within a second or two, your grandchild's face will fill the screen, and your face will appear in a small box in the corner so you can see what they're seeing.
A Few Tips for a Good Call
Hold the phone a comfortable arm's length away — about the distance you'd hold a book to read it. Any closer and they'll mostly see your forehead.
Try to have a light in front of you, not behind you. A window behind your back will turn you into a dark silhouette, like a figure in a shadow puppet show. A lamp on the table in front of you works wonders.
If you can't hear well, look for a small speaker icon on the screen and tap it — that turns up the volume so the sound comes out louder, almost like putting the call on speakerphone.
And when you're ready to say goodbye, tap anywhere on the screen and a red circle with a phone in it will appear at the bottom. Tap that to hang up.
If You Miss the Call
Don't fret. A missed FaceTime call shows up in your Recents list, the same place your regular missed calls live. You can tap the name and choose FaceTime to call them right back — and now you'll be the one ringing them.
One Thing to Try Today
Ask a family member to give you a quick FaceTime call this afternoon, just for practice. Tell them ahead of time it's a test run — no need for long conversation. Answering one call when you're expecting it is the best way to feel ready for the next one, when it's a surprise on a Sunday morning.
Need a hand with your technology? We're here to help. Give PorchSwing a call or book an appointment, and we'll walk you through it at your own pace — no rush, no jargon.