If your iPhone suddenly stopped receiving calls after updating to iOS 17, you’re not the only one. Many users have run into the same issue, and it can be frustrating—especially if your phone looks like it’s working fine otherwise. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to get your iPhone accepting calls again.
Here’s a full guide to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Check Your Network Connection
Your iPhone needs a solid cellular signal to receive calls. If you’re in a poor coverage area or your phone isn’t connecting to your carrier, calls won’t come through.
Here’s how to check:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
- Make sure Airplane Mode is off. If it’s on, tap it to disable.
- Look for signal bars at the top of your screen. If it says “No Service” or “Searching,” move to a location with better coverage.
You can also go to Settings > Cellular to make sure Cellular Data is enabled.
Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, all it takes is a quick reboot to clear temporary software glitches.
To restart:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
After your phone powers back on, try having someone call you again.
Reset Network Settings
If your iPhone still can’t receive calls, a quick reset of your network settings might help. This will erase saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and VPN settings, but it won’t delete personal data.
To reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Once it reboots, reconnect to your Wi-Fi and test call functionality again.
Check Call Forwarding Settings
It’s possible that calls are being forwarded to another number without you realizing it.
To check:
- Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding.
- If it’s turned on, you’ll see the number your calls are being sent to.
- Tap to turn it off.
Now try calling your iPhone from another device to see if it rings properly.
Make Sure Do Not Disturb Isn’t On
Do Not Disturb (now part of Focus in iOS 17) can block incoming calls if enabled.
Check this in two ways:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner and look for the crescent moon icon. If it’s white, tap it to turn Do Not Disturb off.
- Or go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure it’s disabled. You can also adjust settings to allow calls from certain people even when Do Not Disturb is on.
Update to the Latest iOS Version
iOS 17 might have introduced a bug, but Apple typically issues patches quickly.
To update:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Your phone will reboot once the update is complete. Test incoming calls afterward.
Contact Your Carrier
If you’ve tried all of the above and you still can’t receive calls, it’s time to check with your cellular provider. They can verify if there are issues on your account, tower outages in your area, or provisioning problems.
Tips before calling:
- Have your iPhone model and serial number ready.
- Let them know you’ve already tried restarting, resetting settings, and updating iOS.
Sometimes, they can fix the issue remotely or recommend next steps.