How to Put a Phone Call on Speakerphone So You Can Use Both Hands

Remember the old kitchen wall phone with the long curly cord? You could stretch it across the room to stir a pot or jot down a note. Today's phones don't have a cord at all — but they do have a button that frees up both your hands. It's called the speakerphone, and once you know where it is, you'll wonder how you got along without it.

What Speakerphone Does

Speakerphone simply means the sound of the call comes out of the phone's little built-in speaker, loud enough to hear without holding it to your ear. You can set the phone down on the table and keep talking. The other person hears you just fine as long as you're within a few feet.

It's wonderful when you're on hold with the pharmacy, getting directions from a friend, or talking to your daughter while you fold laundry. No more sore neck from pinching the phone against your shoulder.

Turning It On During a Call (iPhone)

When you're already on a call, your screen shows a set of round buttons. One of them is labeled **Speaker** and has a little picture of a speaker on it (usually in the top right of the button group).

Tap that **Speaker** button once. The button will turn white or light up to show it's on, and the sound will jump out louder. Set the phone down on a table in front of you — face up — and talk normally. To turn it off and go back to holding the phone to your ear, tap the **Speaker** button again.

Turning It On During a Call (Android)

On most Android phones — Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and others — the steps are nearly the same. During a call, look at the screen for a button that says **Speaker** with a small speaker icon. Tap it once. It will light up or change color to show it's working. Tap it again to turn it off.

If your screen has gone dark mid-call, just tap the screen once to wake it up. The call buttons will reappear.

A Few Tips for a Clear Call

Speakerphone works best when the phone is sitting on a hard, flat surface — a table or kitchen counter is ideal. A soft couch cushion can muffle the sound.

Stay within about three feet of the phone when you speak. You don't need to lean down or shout — talk in your normal voice. If the other person says you sound far away, just move a little closer.

One more thing: speakerphone makes your conversation audible to anyone in the room. If you're discussing something private — a medical appointment, a bank matter — you may want to step somewhere quiet first, or pick the phone back up and turn speaker off.

Try It Today

The next time the phone rings and it's someone you'd like to chat with for a while, answer the call, then tap the **Speaker** button. Set the phone down. Pour yourself a cup of coffee. Talk with both hands free, the way you used to with that long curly cord.

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.