Pocket dialing (also known as butt dialing) is when you accidentally call a phone number from your smartphone while it's in your pocket or handbag. This is a common problem that can lead to embarrassing situations and even unwanted charges on your phone bill. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions to help you avoid this issue.
One of the best ways to prevent accidental calls or dialing from your iPhone is by enabling passcode protection. If your iPhone has a passcode lock enabled, it will not unlock and initiate calls or other actions when bumped or jostled in your pocket or purse. To turn on passcode protection, head to Settings and tap "Touch ID & Passcode" on an iPhone 5s or later or "Passcode" on other models.
Another easy way to stop pocket dialing is to disable the Raise to Wake feature on your iPhone. The Raise to Wake feature turns on your iPhone's screen when it's in your pocket or bag, which can cause the device to accidentally call numbers when it's in your pocket. To disable this feature, head to Settings and tap "Display & Brightness" then toggle the Raise to Wake option off.
Lastly, it's also a good idea to make sure that your digital assistant (Siri on an iPhone and Google Assistant on Android) is not set to answer calls or other requests when your iPhone is locked. This is a common cause of butt dialing, as it only takes an inadvertent button press or a misunderstood voice command for your device to call someone. To disable Siri or Google Assistant when your iPhone is locked, head to Settings and then tap 'General' or 'Accessibility' then toggle the Allow Access When Locked switch off.
