How to Make a Three Way Phone Call on a Mobile Phone

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Chat with two friends at once on your iPhone, Android, or landline

Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: May 16, 2025

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Home Phones

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iPhone

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Verizon

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Generic Phones

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Back in the old days, they had "party lines," when several houses were connected to the same phone line. Those days are mostly gone, but having a couple other people on the line is still a party! Nearly all phones are capable of making three-way calls, and most plans provide for three-way calling. If you want to connect to two of your friends at the same time, but don't know how, read on!

Basic Steps to Make a Conference Call

Call the first person that you're trying to reach.
Click on Add Call or tap the receiver button quickly.
Dial the second number that you want to add to the call.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Home Telephone

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Dial their number as you would normally do, and let them know you're going to add the third person.
Quickly press and release the hang-up (or flash) button. Don't linger, or you'll hang up on the first person!

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Wait till you hear the dial tone, then call the second person. When they answer, let them know you're setting up a three way.
Now all three of you are connected.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using an iPhone

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When that call is established, tap "add call."
When that second call is established, tap "Merge Calls."
Tap "Conference," tap the red phone icon next to the person, then tap "End Call."
Tap "Conference," then tap "Private" next to the person. Tap "Merge Calls" to continue the conference.
For GSM phones (generally AT&T plans) you can add up to five people to a call; CDMA phones (usually Verizon), the options are more limited. See the owner's manual and your service plan for details.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Verizon Plans (non-iPhone)

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When that call is established, dial the number of the second person.
When you press this, the first person is put on hold, and the call is made.
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Press SEND again. When the second person answers, press SEND to create the conference call.
- If the second person does not answer, press SEND twice to end the connection and return to the first person.
- Note per Verizon: If you are traveling and the instructions don't work, or if you are in OH, MI, MN, SD or Southern IL, you will also need to press SEND before dialing the number of the second person.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Feature Phones, GoPhones, and Generic Phones

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When that call is established, press the "Flash" button.
When they've answered, press "Flash" again.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can someone listen in on my calls without me knowing?

Community Answer

If your phone line is connected to the same phone line as a house phone, yes. But if you have a mobile phone, no.

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Will my phone carrier know if I placed a three-way call?

Christopher

Top Answerer

Yes, your phone carrier will know when you placed a three-way call and with whom you placed it, similar to traditional two-way calls.

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Tips

You may be able to make consecutive calls to different third parties by pressing the hang-up button for 2 seconds, listening to the dial tone, then adding the next third party to the call.^{[1]
X
Research source}

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If your friend is talking to you and adds someone, making it a three-way, then you hang up, they can still talk.

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On certain cell phones three way calling may be referred to as a "conference call".

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Warnings

Three-way, or conference calls, are not available for all plans, or in all areas. Some plans charge more for multi-party calls, and in most cases, all long-distance and data charges still apply.

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If you connect to somebody and drop, you will end the conversation.

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