Skip to content 
In this comprehensive guide, weโll walk you through some essential steps to troubleshoot an iPhone not receiving calls.
TL;DR: If your iPhone isnโt receiving calls, check the status of your Do Not Disturb settings and your Phone settings. If those settings are correct, you may need to update your software or reset your network settings.
Scroll down to get a detailed answer
The first step when dealing with an iPhone not receiving calls is understanding the fundamental settings. Here are some aspects to consider:
- Do Not Disturb mode: Is your iPhone set to Do Not Disturb mode? This feature silences calls, alerts, and notifications while your phone is locked. To check, go to โSettingsโ > โDo Not Disturbโ and ensure itโs turned off.
- Airplane Mode: Have you accidentally turned on Airplane Mode? This could be the culprit. Swipe down from the upper right corner to bring up the Control Center and check if the airplane icon is activated.
Table of Contents
Network and Carrier Settings
Network problems often cause iPhones not to receive calls. If youโve ruled out the basics, these are your next steps:
- Check Cellular Network: Are you in a location with poor cell service? No service equals no incoming calls. Try moving to a location with better service, or connect to Wi-Fi calling if itโs available.
- Update Carrier Settings: Your carrier releases updates to improve network connectivity and performance. You can check for these in โSettingsโ > โGeneralโ > โAboutโ. If an update is available, a prompt will appear.
Software Updates and Resets
If the problem persists, itโs time to consider a software update or reset:
- Update iOS: Sometimes, not having the latest version of iOS can cause communication issues. I recommend updating to the latest version under โSettingsโ > โGeneralโ > โSoftware Updateโ.
- Reset Network Settings: This can resolve the issue by clearing out any problematic network settings. To do this, go to โSettingsโ > โGeneralโ > โResetโ > โReset Network Settingsโ.
Note: this will also erase saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, so have those handy.
Check for Call Forwarding
One often overlooked feature that could result in your iPhone not receiving calls is call forwarding. If itโs been accidentally activated, all your calls may be redirected to another number.
Inspect Physical Damage
While itโs rare, physical damage could impact your iPhoneโs ability to receive calls. If your iPhone has recently been dropped, exposed to water, or suffered any other kind of physical damage, it could be causing the issue.
Look for any visible signs of damage, such as cracks or deformities. In such a case, I would recommend seeking professional help from an Apple authorized service provider or the Apple Store.
Try Turning Off Silence Unknown Callers
The Silence Unknown Callers feature prevents calls from unknown numbers from ringing on your device. While itโs useful for cutting down on spam, it could also silence calls from numbers you havenโt saved. To turn it off, navigate to โSettingsโ > โPhoneโ > โSilence Unknown Callersโ and disable the feature.
Reset All Settings
As a last resort, if youโre still not receiving calls, you might need to reset all settings on your iPhone. This action wonโt erase any personal data, but it will reset all your system preferences to the factory defaults. You can do this by going to โSettingsโ > โGeneralโ > โResetโ > โReset All Settingsโ.
Note:
Remember to backup your iPhone before initiating this reset. Although it wonโt delete your data, itโs better to be safe than sorry.Software Glitches and Bugs
Occasionally, minor software bugs could cause disruptions in receiving calls. These glitches might not be evident or significant enough to disrupt other functions of your iPhone.
However, a simple restart could rectify these minor bugs. Hold the power button, slide to power off, and after a minute, restart your iPhone.
Examine Your Date and Time Settings
Sometimes, if your date and time settings arenโt correctly set, it can lead to some disruptions in your phoneโs services, including receiving calls. Make sure your settings are correct by going to โSettingsโ > โGeneralโ > โDate & Timeโ.
Use iOS Recovery Mode
Finally, if nothing else works, you might need to put your iPhone into recovery mode and then restore it via iTunes. Be aware, though, this method should be used as a last resort because it will erase all data on your iPhone.
Before undertaking this step, back up all your data and consult with Apple Support or a trusted tech expert. Understanding and undertaking such a process requires a fair level of technical know-how.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If youโre still experiencing issues, try the following:
- Check Blocked Numbers: Ensure that the callerโs number isnโt on your blocked list. Check under โSettingsโ > โPhoneโ > โBlocked Contactsโ.
- Reinsert SIM Card: Sometimes, removing and reinserting your SIM card can resolve connection issues.
Seeking Further Help
If none of these solutions work, I recommend contacting your carrier or Apple Support directly. They may be able to offer additional insight or arrange for a hardware inspection if needed.
Conclusion
When your iPhone isnโt receiving calls, it can be frustrating, but by taking a systematic approach to troubleshooting, you can identify and resolve the issue.
Starting with the basic settings, then moving onto network and carrier settings, and finally considering software updates or resets, should help get your iPhone back in business. Remember, if in doubt, professional help is just a call away!
FAQs
Is there a way to ensure that only calls from my contacts get through?
Yes. In the โDo Not Disturbโ settings, you can select โAllow Calls Fromโ and choose โAll Contactsโ.
Iโve updated my iOS, but Iโm still not receiving calls. What should I do?
Try resetting your network settings. If that doesnโt work, itโs time to contact your carrier or Apple Support.
Iโve tried everything, but my iPhone still isnโt receiving calls. What now?
Contact your carrier or Apple Support. There could be a hardware issue with your iPhone, and you might need professional assistance.
