Your iPhone making calls by itself is typically caused by accidental activation of voice features, Bluetooth interference, or software glitches rather than malicious activity. The most common culprits are the Voice Dial and Return Missed Calls settings, which can trigger calls when the phone is locked or through unintended voice commands. Bluetooth devices (like headphones) may also accidentally activate calling functions, while outdated iOS versions can introduce bugs that cause random dialing. Hardware issues like overly sensitive touchscreens or "ghost touches" are less frequent but possible causes.

Key findings from the sources:

• Voice Dial (under Touch ID/Face ID & Passcode) allows locked-phone calls via voice commands and is frequently triggered accidentally ^[1][3][8]
• Return Missed Calls feature can auto-dial contacts without user input, especially on iOS 16 ^[2][5]
• Bluetooth headphones or car systems may send erroneous call signals to the iPhone ^[3][5]
• Software bugs in older iOS versions (pre-iOS 17) are known to cause random calling; updating often resolves this ^[4][7]
• Pocket dialing ("butt dialing") remains a common issue, exacerbated by long auto-lock delays ^[3][6]

How to Stop Your iPhone from Making Calls Automatically

Voice Command and Accessibility Settings

The majority of unintended calls stem from voice-activated features that interpret background noise or accidental button presses as commands. iPhones have two primary voice-related settings that can trigger calls: Voice Dial and Voice Control, both of which operate even when the device is locked. Disabling these is the first step to preventing random calls.

Voice Dial, located under Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode), allows the phone to place calls using voice recognition while locked. Users report this feature activating when:

• Coughing or speaking near the phone’s microphone ^[1]
• Pressing headphone buttons accidentally triggers Siri or voice commands ^[3]
• Background conversations are misinterpreted as "Call [Contact Name]" ^[5]

Voice Control, found in Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control, is designed for hands-free operation but can misfire due to:

• Ambient noise in cars or crowded spaces ^[7]
• Bluetooth devices sending errant signals ^[8]
• Software glitches in iOS 16 and earlier versions ^[2]

Steps to disable these features:

• Turn off Voice Dial: Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode), scroll to Allow Access When Locked, and toggle off Voice Dial ^[1][3]
• Disable Voice Control: Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn it off ^[5][9]
• Adjust Auto-Lock to 30 seconds to reduce pocket dialing: Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock ^[3]

Software Updates and Bluetooth Interference

Outdated iOS versions contain known bugs that cause random calling, particularly in iOS 16. Apple has addressed many of these issues in subsequent updates, making software updates a critical fix. Additionally, Bluetooth-connected devices (headphones, car systems, smartwatches) can inadvertently trigger calls through:

• Malfunctioning call buttons on wireless earbuds ^[3]
• Cross-device synchronization errors (e.g., Apple Watch initiating calls) ^[2]
• Signal interference causing repeated call attempts ^[5]

Software-related solutions:

• Update to the latest iOS version: Settings > General > Software Update. iOS 17 specifically includes fixes for random calling bugs present in iOS 16 ^[2][4]
• Restart the iPhone after updating to ensure changes take effect ^[4]
• Forget and reconnect Bluetooth devices: Settings > Bluetooth, tap the "i" icon next to the device, and select Forget This Device ^[3][9]

Bluetooth troubleshooting steps:

• Test calls with Bluetooth disabled to isolate the issue: Settings > Bluetooth > Toggle off ^[5]
• Check for firmware updates for your Bluetooth accessories (e.g., AirPods, car systems) ^[8]
• Disable Call Audio Routing to headphones: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing > Set to "Automatic" ^[7]

For persistent issues, perform a hard reset (press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Side Button until the Apple logo appears) to clear temporary software glitches ^[3][9]. If problems continue, reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings), which preserves data while restoring default configurations ^[5][8].