Calls ending on your iPhone when you accidentally press the side button: Here’s how to stop it

Your iPhone can automatically end an active phone call if the side button is pressed. It is a handy default iOS feature that can sometimes cause accidental call disconnects and frustrations.

The button provides a fast way to end a call without using the on-screen controls, but Apple has provided a way to turn this off in iOS 16. You can change the setting (under Accessibility) so that the side button locks your device instead of hanging up the call, which can help prevent accidental hang-ups during a conversation. The option is available on iPhones running iOS 16 or later and takes only a few steps to enable.

How to stop the Side button from ending calls

You can disable the feature by following these steps:1. Open Settings.2. Tap Accessibility.3. Select Touch.4. Scroll down to Prevent Lock to End Call.5. Turn on the toggle.Once the setting is enabled, pressing the side button during an active phone call will no longer disconnect the conversation. Instead, the iPhone will lock while the call continues in the background.Users can restore the original behaviour at any time by turning off the same toggle in the Accessibility menu on their iPhones.

What changes you will see after enabling this iPhone setting

Enabling Prevent Lock to End Call also changes how the side button responds to incoming calls. After the feature is turned on, pressing your iPhone's side button twice during an incoming call will no longer decline it. However, pressing the side button once will continue to silence the ringtone, which remains the default behaviour.The change only affects how the side button on the iPhone works. Calls can still be ended using the on-screen End Call button, compatible wired or wireless headsets, Bluetooth devices and other supported call controls.