Often the only obvious option given is "slide to answer" — leaving someone trying to avoid a call no choice but to watch their phone ring until voicemail picks up. Those who have spotted the "decline" button wonder why it isn't always there.


The answer is deceptively straightforward: If your iPhone screen is locked, the "slide to answer" bar appears. But if your screen is unlocked and open, the "decline" and "answer" buttons will show. 
When your phone is locked, here's what an incoming call looks like:
iphone locked screen slide to answerKim Renfro/Tech Insider
If your screen is unlocked when the call comes in, this is what you'll see:
iphone unlocked screen decline buttonKim Renfro/Tech Insider
The elusive "decline" button really bums some people out. 
But — there's a trick. You actually CAN decline an incoming call when your screen is locked, it just takes a couple more clicks.
Pressing the lock button once will stop your iPhone from ringing and/or vibrating. And the second click will decline the call. Voila! But be warned: the incoming caller will know that you've chosen to decline their call, since your voicemail will kick in sooner than expected. 
Now go forth into the world with your newfound knowledge (shared with millions who learned this the last time we explained it), and never stare at your ringing phone screen again.
EXCLUSIVE FREE REPORT:
25 Big Tech Predictions by BI Intelligence.
Get the Report Now »

NOW WATCH: 5 hidden iPhone features only power users know about