iPhone Call Transfer: Add Call and Merge Steps
Transfer a live cellular call on iPhone with Add Call, then Merge Calls, then End yourself. Carrier limits, blind-transfer caveats, and how this differs from Call Forwarding and FaceTime handoff.
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What “call transfer” means on iPhone
People searching “call transfer iPhone” usually want to move an active cellular conversation to someone else and leave the call. That is not the same as Call Forwarding (every inbound call redirects automatically) and not the same as FaceTime Continuity handoff to your own iPad or Mac.
Apple’s public “while on a call” guide covers mute, hold, and audio routing; multi-party transfer itself depends on carrier multi-call support [Apple Support: While on a call on iPhone, checked 2026-10-18]. If Add Call is missing or greyed out, the account often lacks call waiting / conference features.
Steps: warm transfer with Add Call and Merge
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | On the live cellular call, tap Add Call |
| 2 | Dial or pick the contact who should take over |
| 3 | When the second leg connects, tap Merge Calls so all parties share one conference |
| 4 | Open the conference info control, tap End next to your own number/line, and leave the other two connected |
That sequence is the reliable warm (consultative) path: you can brief the destination before you drop. Some carriers expose a long-press on Merge that relabels to Transfer for a faster blind handoff; treat that as optional and plan-specific, not an iOS guarantee.
Limits and lookalikes
VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Teams, Zoom Phone, softphones) transfer inside their own UI. The Phone app steps above apply to the cellular line.
Call Forwarding permanently redirects inbound calls: Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Forwarding on GSM-style service [Apple: Set up call forwarding on iPhone]. To cancel codes later, see call forwarding deactivate code.
FaceTime handoff moves your FaceTime session to another Apple device signed into the same account; it does not transfer a caller to a coworker [Apple: Hand off a FaceTime call].
Small offices that need attended transfer, queue callbacks, and CRM logging usually outgrow handset merge. Compare hosted options in business call forwarding services and Vonage alternatives.
FAQ
Why is Add Call missing?
The cellular plan may not include multi-party or call waiting. Confirm with the carrier; Wi-Fi Calling quirks can also hide controls until you are on the cellular network.
Can I blind-transfer without talking to the destination?
Only when the carrier surfaces a one-tap transfer control. Otherwise stay on the line long enough to name the caller, then exit so the remaining pair keeps talking.
Does this work on Dual SIM?
Start from the line that owns the active call. Forwarding menus let you pick a line; transfer inherits the active leg.
Is Merge the same as transfer?
Merge creates a three-way conference. Transfer is finished only after you leave and the other two remain connected.