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

Apple Lists 250 Changes Across iOS 27 and More Feature

Apple Shares List of 250 Changes Across iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and More

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:34 pm PDT by
During its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, Apple briefly showed a slide with hundreds of new features and enhancements coming across iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27. All of the software updates are currently available as developer betas, and they are expected to be released to all users in September. We already highlighted some of the key new features from the ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple to Release These 15 New Products Later This Year

Friday June 12, 2026 7:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual WWDC developers conference is drawing to a close, but there is still a lot to look forward to in the second half of the year. Apple is expected to release at least 15 more products later this year. Now that the more intelligent and personal version of Siri has finally arrived in beta, a full two years after Apple first previewed it at WWDC 2024, we should begin to see some new ...
iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:29 am PDT by
If you pay for extra iCloud storage on your iPhone, beyond the 5GB included for free, you might receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. First, Apple said there will be daily usage limits for some of the new and enhanced Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27, including image generation. However, the company noted that "increased access" is available with "most" iCloud+ storage ...