Why is the green answer button missing on my smartwatch when a call comes in?
Answer
The missing green button usually means the watch is connected to the phone for notifications only, and the separate Bluetooth link used for calls has dropped or lost permission. Re-enable the phone, contacts and notification permissions for the companion app, then reconnect the watch's call Bluetooth in the phone's Bluetooth settings. If it still fails, re-pairing the watch is the last step to try.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Only download the companion app from your phone's official app store, and be wary of third-party "watch repair" apps or support callers who ask for remote access to your phone.
Follow these steps
Check the companion app's permissions
On the phone, open Settings > Apps, select the companion app, and open Permissions. Allow Phone (or Calls), Contacts, Call logs, Nearby devices (or Location, on older Android versions) and Notifications. Then open Settings > Notifications > Device & app notifications (the wording varies by phone) and make sure the companion app has notification access. Google's guide to changing app permissions on your Android phone shows where these screens are.
You should see: Every permission related to calls, contacts, nearby devices and notifications shows as Allowed.
Stop battery saving from closing the app
In the same app settings screen, open Battery and choose Unrestricted (or turn off "Optimize battery usage" for this app). Also lock the app in the recent-apps view if your phone offers that option, so the system does not close it in the background.
You should see: The app's battery setting no longer says Optimized or Restricted.
Look for the watch's calling connection
Open the phone's Settings > Bluetooth and look at both the paired devices and the available devices. Many watches list a second entry, often the watch name followed by "BT" or a similar suffix. If one exists but shows as disconnected, tap it and choose Connect. If the watch's calling entry is missing, check the watch's own settings for a Bluetooth calling or "BT call" switch and turn it on.
You should see: A calling entry for the watch appears in the phone's Bluetooth list and shows Connected, with call audio allowed.
Allow call audio for that connection
Open Settings > Connected devices > Saved devices (or Bluetooth, if you don't see Saved devices) and tap the gear icon beside the watch's calling entry. Make sure Phone audio is switched on. Without it the phone may connect but never hand calls to the watch. Google lists this fix, and the other basics, in its guide to fixing Bluetooth problems on Android.
You should see: Phone audio is turned on for the watch.
Restart both devices and test a real call
Turn the watch off and on, then restart the phone. Open the companion app and wait until it says the watch is connected. Ask someone to call, or call the phone from another line, and watch the screen as it rings.
You should see: The incoming call screen on the watch shows the green answer icon next to the red one.
Re-pair the watch only if nothing has worked
In the phone's Bluetooth list, choose Forget for every entry belonging to the watch, then remove the watch inside the companion app. Add it again from the app, and then connect the calling entry from the phone's Bluetooth settings. Google's guide to pairing and forgetting Bluetooth devices walks through those screens. If it still fails, contact the watch maker's support with the watch model and app version.
You should see: The watch appears as freshly paired, and a test call shows both answer and decline icons.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the watch's name appears twice in the phone's Bluetooth device list (one for the app connection, one for calling), and whether it shows "Connected" for calls. Also note whether the watch's other features, such as message alerts and the dial pad, still work.
Before you change anything: Make sure the watch has at least 30% battery. Note the exact name of the companion app and the watch model printed on the back of the watch or in the app's device screen. Check whether other notifications still reach the watch, which tells you the app connection is alive. Do not factory-reset the watch yet; it is a last resort and erases its saved settings.
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