What Does Outgoing Call Mean?
If you are wondering what does outgoing call mean then the answer is simple. An outgoing call is a phone call that you make to another person. When you press the call button and your phone starts calling someone else the call is shown in your call history.
You can make this type of call from a mobile phone or a landline phone. It does not matter if the other person answers the call or not. The call can still appear in your phone history.
What Is an Outgoing Call?
An outgoing call is a call that you make from your phone to another phone. For example if you call your friend and their phone starts ringing then you have made a call from your phone.
You may see this activity in your phone call history. It shows that you started the call.
You can call:
- A family member
- A friend
- A work contact
- A business
- A customer service number
- An emergency number
You can also learn more about phone and technology topics on our technology guide.
How Does It Work on a Phone?
When you call another number your phone sends a call request through your mobile network. The other phone then receives the call.
For example:
You call your brother at 5:00 PM. The call appears in your call history. This shows that you started the call.
If your brother calls you instead then the call appears as an incoming call on your phone.
Outgoing and Incoming Calls
Outgoing and incoming calls are easy to understand.
An outgoing call is a call that you start.
An incoming call is a call that someone else starts with you.
For example if you call your friend then it is an outgoing call for you. The same call is an incoming call for your friend.
Simple Example
You call Sarah: Outgoing call for you.
Sarah calls you: Incoming call for you.
This is why your phone uses different labels in the call history.
Does It Mean Someone Answered?
No. An outgoing call does not always mean that someone answered.
Your phone may show the call when:
- The person answered
- The person did not answer
- The phone was busy
- The call ended quickly
- The call went to voicemail
The exact details can depend on your phone and mobile network.
Why Do I See a Call I Do Not Remember?
Sometimes you may see a call that you do not remember making. There can be several simple reasons for this.
You may have called the number by mistake. You may have tapped a contact while using your phone. Another person may have used your phone.
Some apps can also use phone calling features.
If you do not recognize the number then check the contact details and your phone settings.
How Does It Work on WhatsApp?
On WhatsApp you can start a voice or video call with another person. When you tap the call button you are starting the call.
For example if you open a WhatsApp chat and tap the phone icon then you have started a voice call.
If the other person calls you then it is an incoming call for you.
What Does It Mean on iPhone?
On an iPhone you can see your recent calls in the Phone app. Calls that you start can appear in your recent call history.
The call history can help you see which numbers you called. It can also show the date and time of the call.
The exact design can change with different iPhone versions.
What Does It Mean on Android?
Android phones also show your recent calls in the Phone app.
When you call another person the activity can appear in your call history. You may see the phone number or contact name along with the date and time.
The design can be different on different Android phones. The basic meaning stays the same.
Does It Use Phone Credit?
A normal mobile call can use your phone balance or call minutes. The exact cost depends on your mobile network and calling plan.
If you use an internet calling app such as WhatsApp then the call normally uses mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Some mobile plans also include free call minutes. Check your plan to know how calls are charged.
Final Thoughts
The simple meaning is that you started a call to another person or number.
When you see this activity in your phone history it means your phone started the call. The other person does not always need to answer for it to appear in your call history.
The simple difference is:
Outgoing call = You call someone.
Incoming call = Someone calls you.