When I try to call someone on my iPhone, I can’t hear the phone ringing. It’s confusing and I’ve checked the volume and silent mode but still no luck. Any ideas why this is happening or how to fix it?
It’s probably something weird with the iPhone’s network settings. Sometimes calls don’t ring or make sound because of carrier issues or a glitch in the settings. First, just force-restart your iPhone—it fixes like 90% of tech problems somehow. If that doesn’t help, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. But heads-up, this will wipe saved Wi-Fi passwords and stuff, so have those handy.
Also, if you’ve got Bluetooth on, check if the sound is going to some random paired device like earbuds or a speaker in another room. Happens to me all the time—makes me feel like my phone hates me personally. Oh, and update your iOS if you haven’t! Apple sneaks bug fixes in there, though they never admit it outright.
If STILL no luck, it might be something goofy with the carrier settings (yeah, like another setting you didn’t know existed). Go to Settings > General > About, and if an update appears, install it. Worst-case scenario, you’re calling Apple support or your carrier. Good times, right?
Hmm, sounds annoying, right? Okay, so let’s dive into the less-obvious stuff since you’ve already checked the basics like volume and silent mode. One big potential culprit: Do Not Disturb or Focus mode. If either of those is on, you won’t hear ANYTHING, not even a ring. Swipe down to check your Control Center—see if the little moon icon or “Focus” mode is active. If yes, tap it off. Easy fix.
Another thing—have you checked if the “Ringtone” is actually set to something? Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or just “Sounds” depending on your iOS version) and make sure a real tone hasn’t been swapped out for “None.” It happens. Also, while you’re there, turn “Change with Buttons” on and try cranking up the ringtone volume. Sometimes people adjust media volume (for music/videos) and assume it’s the same as the ringtone volume. Spoiler: It’s not.
Now about @vrijheidsvogel’s advice—they brought up good points, especially Bluetooth. But honestly, before you start resetting network settings and losing all your Wi-Fi passwords, just disconnect all your Bluetooth devices for a hot second. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it off. Test your calls. If sound comes back, you found the villain, and it’s probably your wireless headphones lurking nearby.
Lastly, if nothing above works, might as well call this what it likely is—an iPhone glitch, because, of course, Apple. And yeah, updating your iOS might fix it, but it might also break five other things. Classic Apple move. Seriously though, consider backing up your phone and updating, especially if you’re running software from, like, 2019. Hope this fixes your phantom silence!