Skip to Content

How to Disable Ability to Return Missed Calls When iPhone Is Locked

by

In iOS, it's possible to return missed calls directly from the iPhone Lock Screen. This article explains why you might want to disable access to this feature, and how to go about it.

iphone x speakerphone call handsfree
In early versions of Apple's mobile operating system, all a user could access on their ‌iPhone‌'s Lock Screen was the time, date, any notifications, and the camera and flashlight functions. To do anything else, like return a missed call, you had to unlock the ‌iPhone‌ first.

These days, iOS allows for optional access to several additional features from the Lock Screen, including (but not limited to) the ability to return missed calls. But what if you don't want missed call notifications showing up on your iPhone when you leave it unattended? Fortunately, you can disable the Return Missed Calls feature in the following way.

  1. Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
  3. Enter your passcode at the prompt.
  4. Scroll down, and under "Allow Access When Locked," toggle off the switch next to Return Missed Calls.

disable return missed calls lock screen

The Return Missed Calls feature will be disabled with immediate effect, and will no longer be available from the Lock Screen, giving you that added level of privacy and security.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Be Like Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Sunday March 15, 2026 9:42 am PDT by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that iOS 27 will be similar to 2009's Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that one of Apple's biggest priorities is bug fixes for improved performance and stability. During WWDC 2008's State of the Union, Apple showed a slide that said Mac OS X Snow Leopard had "0 new features," as it opted to focus on performance and...
AirPods Max 2 Feature

Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 With H2 Chip and More

Monday March 16, 2026 6:12 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled AirPods Max 2, with key upgrades including the H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. The new AirPods Max have the same overall design as the previous generation, with most of the new features coming from the upgrade to the H2 chip:- Adaptive ...
apple design award 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Design Award Winners Ahead of WWDC 2025

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:14 am PDT by
As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement. The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category: Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game) Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ -...