Galaxy Watch Auto-Answers Calls Without Touching Screen
If your Galaxy Watch automatically answers incoming calls without you swiping or tapping, the setting causing this is usually on your phone, not your watch.
Why This Happens
Auto-answer features exist for accessibility and hands-free convenience, but may be enabled accidentally.
- Phone Auto-Answer: Samsung Phone app has built-in auto-answer settings
- Lift to Ear: Moving phone or watch toward your ear can trigger answering
- Accessibility Settings: TalkBack or other accessibility features may auto-answer
- Gesture Controls: Some phones have motion-based call answering
Solution 1: Disable Phone Auto-Answer (Samsung)
The most common cause is in your Samsung Phone app settings.
- Open the Phone app on your Samsung phone
- Tap the three dots menu Settings
- Select Call settings or Answering and ending calls
- Find Auto answer (after set time)
- Toggle it OFF
Primary Fix for Samsung Users
This setting is the #1 cause of unexpected auto-answered calls. It's in your phone app, not watch settings.
Solution 2: Disable Lift to Ear (Samsung)
Samsung phones may answer when you lift them to your ear.
- Go to
SettingsAdvanced featuresMotions and gestures - Look for Lift to answer or similar
- Toggle it OFF
Solution 3: Disable Lift to Answer (OnePlus/Other Android)
Non-Samsung phones have similar features.
OnePlus:
- Go to
SettingsSystem settingsGestures - Find Lift to ear to answer call
- Toggle it OFF
Other Android:
- Search "gestures" in your phone settings
- Look for call-related motion controls
- Disable any auto-answer gestures
Solution 4: Check Watch Gesture Settings
Your watch may also have gesture-based answering.
- On your watch, go to
SettingsAdvanced features - Look for Gestures or Motion
- Check for any call-answering gestures
- Disable if present
Solution 5: Disable Accessibility Auto-Answer
Accessibility features may enable auto-answer.
- On your phone, go to
SettingsAccessibility - Check TalkBack or Voice Assistant settings
- Look for auto-answer call options
- Disable if enabled
Testing After Changes
After adjusting settings:
- Have someone call you
- Let the call ring without touching anything
- Verify it doesn't auto-answer
- If still happening, check for other gesture/motion settings
Multiple Settings
You may need to disable settings in multiple places - both phone and watch. Check all locations mentioned above.
See Also: Galaxy Watch Connectivity Issues|Galaxy Watch Notification Problems|Galaxy Watch Non-Samsung Phone