Before diving into the troubleshooting process, verify that the call problem is not due to a network failure affecting your carrier (either nationally or in your region). Also, try removing the phone’s protective case, as some cases, particularly those with magnetic attachments, can obstruct signals from the carrier and result in the call issue.
1. Enable and Disable the Airplane mode
Enabling and disabling the iPhone’s airplane mode will be force your device to reconnect to the Signal tower fixing any network inconsistency that might be causing this issue. If the issue persists, re-confirm your iPhone is compatible with the carrier network. You can check on the carrier’s website.
2. Re-insert the SIM Card into the iPhone
Reinserting the SIM, power-cycles the SIM card. This can fix any network-related glitches and bugs you might be facing with your iPhone.
3. Force Restart the iPhone
Try a force restart of the iPhone as it will refresh the modules and completely restart your device.
4. Update the Carrier Settings to the Latest Release
You will not be able to receive calls if the phone’s carrier settings are outdated and the carrier towers cannot communicate with the phone. To fix this, update your iPhone’s carrier setting to the latest version.
5. Update the OS of the iPhone to the Latest Version
An iPhone with an outdated OS will not be able to receive calls either because of an incompatibility with the carrier network or as a result of an iOS bug. In both cases, updating the phone’s OS to the latest build will resolve the calling issue.
6. Enable Caller ID in the iPhone’s Settings
The Caller ID feature is used to show your Caller ID when making calls to different mobile phones. Even though this doesn’t have a direct relationship with the calling functionality, we’ve seen cases where enabling this option fixed the problem.
7. Disable and Enable iMessages
Certain in your iPhone’s messaging system can result in network interruptions, consequently preventing incoming calls. This typically arises when the messaging components encounter an error, disrupting the normal flow of network operations. A useful remedy for this issue is to disable and then re-enable the Messages app on your iPhone. This action essentially refreshes the messaging system, clearing any existing issues and hence restoring the ability to receive calls.
8. Disable and Enable the iPhone’s Call Waiting Feature
You will not receive calls on your iPhone if there is a malfunction of the phone’s call-waiting feature. As a result of this, the network “thinks” that the phone is on a call (when it is not), so the call is not routed to the phone. Here, disabling and enabling the phone’s call-waiting feature will clear the issue.
9. Manually Select the Network on the iPhone
In some instances, your iPhone’s automatic network selection can become unreliable, causing frequent disconnections, particularly when a call is being directed to your phone. This leads to missed calls as the network doesn’t stay connected long enough to receive them. A potential solution to this problem is to switch from automatic to manual network selection. This change means your iPhone will maintain a more stable connection to your chosen cell tower, especially in areas with stronger signal strength, improving your call reception. If the above method doesn’t solve the problem, you could consider trying a new SIM card. This could be particularly relevant if you’ve recently upgraded to a new iPhone but are still using an older SIM card. For example, if your SIM card was designed for a 2G or 3G network, it might not work properly with a newer iPhone that’s meant for 4G or 5G networks.
10. Disable Carrier’s HD Calling
HD calling is a feature that enhances the audio quality of your calls, but it requires a strong network connection to function properly. If the cell signal in your area is weak, HD calling might struggle to perform well. Furthermore, the way that HD calling operates on an iPhone might not align perfectly with how your carrier’s system is set up. This discrepancy can also lead to issues with call reception. To disable HD Calling for Verizon:
11. Disable the Call on Other Devices iPhone’s Feature
Apple’s “Call on Other Devices” feature can be quite handy, as it allows you to pick up calls on different devices when your iPhone isn’t close at hand. However, if your iPhone mistakenly believes that you’re answering calls on another device, it might not ring as expected. If you think this might be the case, you can simply disable the “Call on Other Devices” option on your iPhone to see if that resolves the issue.
12. Disable the “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature
The “Silence Unknown Callers” feature on your iPhone is designed to provide a level of convenience by reducing unwanted interruptions from callers not in your contact list. However, due to certain bugs, your iPhone might incorrectly identify a known caller as unknown, causing it to silence their calls. This could potentially be why you’re missing calls. If this is the case, you can rectify the situation by turning off this option on your iPhone.
13. Update the Network Provisioning on the iPhone
If your iPhone has lost its provisioning with the carrier, then it will not be able to receive calls. Here, updating the iPhone’s network provisioning will do the trick. To update network provisioning on Sprint or any other similar network:
14. Disable Call Forwarding on the iPhone
The “Call Forwarding” feature on your iPhone allows you to redirect incoming calls to another number. However, if this feature isn’t configured properly, it could result in your calls being sent straight to voicemail or even another number that’s not currently in use, thereby causing you to miss those calls. Try disabling this feature and see if this does the trick.
15. Remove the Call Protecting App
You will not be able to receive calls on the iPhone if a call-protecting app on your phone is not letting the calls show on your phone. In addition, if you have enabled any call-blocking feature on the carrier side (either manually or through an app), then that might also lead to the problem at hand. In this scenario, removing the call-protecting app on the iPhone or disabling the call-blocking features on the carrier side will resolve the issue. The process of disabling AT&T Call Protect: AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter app, and One Talk Dialer are also reported to cause the iPhone’s call issue at hand. If that does not work, check if the blocked contacts in your iPhone (Settings > Phone > Blocked) are not causing the problem.
16. Disable the iPhone’s Focus or Edit the Focus Settings
If your iPhone is in Focus mode and set to send calls to voicemail, it will not receive or display incoming calls. This can be solved by turning off Focus mode or editing its settings.
17. Disable Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Calling on the iPhone
Sometimes, the inability to receive calls on your iPhone could be due to interference from Wi-Fi signals. Also, if Wi-Fi calling is activated on your phone, it may cause your calls to be routed through the Wi-Fi network instead of your regular cellular network, leading to missed calls. In such a scenario, the easiest way to solve this problem would be to switch off the Wi-Fi on your phone temporarily or to disable the Wi-Fi Calling feature on your iPhone.
18. Disconnect the Watch from the iPhone
If you’ve added an Apple Watch to your carrier account, it could potentially disrupt the call reception on your iPhone. This happens because the carrier might have difficulty routing calls to two devices that have the same caller ID. To fix this, you can disconnect the Apple Watch from your iPhone. If your Apple Watch has cellular capabilities, you might need to go a step further and remove the watch from your cellular plan. This should help your iPhone start receiving calls again as expected.
19. Edit the Cellular or Mobile Data Options of the iPhone
If the iPhone is set to a carrier network type (like 5G) that’s not compatible with your device, it could interfere with receiving calls. Essentially, your carrier might struggle to route calls to your phone if it’s configured to use a network type that doesn’t mesh well with your phone. A good way around this is by adjusting your iPhone’s cellular or mobile data settings to use a different network type. For instance, you could switch from 5G to 4G.
20. Remove and Re-add the ESIM to the iPhone
If you’re using an eSIM on your iPhone and it’s not functioning correctly due to an invalid profile, it can prevent you from receiving calls. A practical solution to this problem is to remove and then re-add the eSIM to your iPhone. By doing this, you essentially reset the eSIM profile, which can often clear up any issues and restore your ability to receive calls.
21. Reset the Network Settings of the iPhone
If the iPhone’s network modules are not functioning properly and are failing to comply with the cell tower, it will result in the iPhone issue at hand. Additionally, an excess of cell tower data in the iPhone’s network memory can bog down the network settings, particularly if you have recently switched carriers or ported your number. To resolve this, reset the network settings on the iPhone. It is important to note that resetting the network settings will erase all network-related information such as Wi-Fi credentials, so make sure to back up or note down any essential information.
22. Reset All the iPhone’s Settings to the Defaults
Sometimes, an operating system update on your iPhone might disrupt some settings related to communication. This can interfere with your ability to receive calls. If you suspect this might be the case, a simple solution is to reset your phone’s settings back to their default state. This can resolve any conflicts or inconsistencies that were introduced during the update, and it should help to restore your ability to receive calls as expected.
23. Reset the iPhone to the Factory Defaults
An operating system update on your iPhone might unintentionally mess up some crucial operating system modules, particularly those associated with network functionality. If this happens, it can lead to issues, including the inability to receive calls. One way to tackle this is by resetting your iPhone to its original factory settings. This can help clear any system hiccups and should ideally get your phone back to functioning as it should.
