Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating a phone call from a wireless communication device based on physical interaction with the wireless communication device. In one example, a method for initiating a call from a wireless communication device, includes: receiving sensor data from a first sensor in the wireless communication device during a user interaction time interval; detecting a number of user interactions on the wireless communication device during the user interaction time interval based on the sensor data; determining a contact number associated with the number of user interactions; and causing the wireless communication device to dial the contact number at an end of the user interaction time interval.