My iPhone Won’t Make Calls but Will Text

When your iPhone won’t make calls but can still text, it can be very frustrating. This issue might seem confusing at first, but it’s often due to some simple problems. The fastest fix is usually checking if Do Not Disturb is on or if Airplane Mode has been accidentally enabled.

If simple checks don’t work, delve into the settings. Examine network settings, reset them, and update carrier settings if needed. Sometimes, restarting your device solves the problem by refreshing the system.

Regularly updating your iPhone’s software can also help. This makes sure you have the latest features and bug fixes. Don’t forget to check if your carrier settings are up to date as well.

My iPhone Won’t Make Calls but Will Text: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

If your iPhone can send texts but won’t make or receive phone calls, you’re not alone. This is a common issue with several possible causes. Here’s a comprehensive guide to fix the problem.

Quick Checks First

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, try these simple fixes:

1. Check Your Signal

• Look at the signal bars in the top corner
• If you see “No Service” or “SOS,” you may be in a low-coverage area
• Try moving to a different location

2. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

• Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right on iPhone X or later, swipe up on older models)
• Tap the airplane icon to enable it
• Wait 10 seconds
• Tap again to disable it
• This resets your cellular connection

3. Restart Your iPhone

• iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold Volume Down + Side button until you see the Apple logo
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold Home + Top (or Side) button until the Apple logo appears

Detailed Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Check Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes

Do Not Disturb or Focus modes might be blocking calls:

1. Go to Settings > Focus
2. Check if any Focus mode is active (indicated by a colored icon)
3. Tap on the active mode and either turn it off or adjust settings to allow calls
4. Check Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers – if enabled, calls from numbers not in your contacts will be silenced

Step 2: Verify Call Forwarding is Off

1. Open Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding
2. Make sure it’s toggled OFF
3. If it’s on, your calls may be forwarding to another number

Step 3: Check Call Blocking

1. Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts
2. Review the list to ensure you haven’t accidentally blocked important numbers
3. Check Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and turn it off if needed

Step 4: Update Carrier Settings

1. Go to Settings > General > About
2. If an update is available, you’ll see a popup
3. Tap Update and wait for it to complete
4. Carrier updates can fix calling issues

Step 5: Reset Network Settings

Warning: This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
2. Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings
3. Enter your passcode
4. Confirm the reset
5. Your iPhone will restart
6. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and test calling

Step 6: Remove and Reinsert SIM Card

1. Turn off your iPhone
2. Locate the SIM tray (usually on the right side)
3. Use a SIM ejector tool or paperclip to open the tray
4. Remove the SIM card and check for damage or dirt
5. Clean the SIM card gently with a soft cloth
6. Reinsert it firmly
7. Turn your iPhone back on

Step 7: Check for iOS Updates

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update
2. If an update is available, download and install it
3. Software bugs can sometimes cause calling issues

Step 8: Reset All Settings

If nothing else works:

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings
3. This won’t delete your data but will reset all settings to default
4. Enter your passcode and confirm

Check for Hardware Issues

Test the Microphone and Speaker

1. Open Voice Memos and record your voice
2. Play it back – if you can’t hear anything, there may be a speaker issue
3. Try making a call on speakerphone vs. regular mode
4. Test with headphones or AirPods

Check for Physical Damage

• Inspect the Lightning/USB-C port for debris
• Check for water damage indicators
• Look for obvious physical damage

Carrier-Specific Issues

Contact Your Carrier

If the problem persists, it might be carrier-related:

• Account issues: Your account may have restrictions or payment issues
• Network outages: Check your carrier’s website or social media for outage reports
• Plan limitations: Verify your plan includes voice calls (some data-only plans don’t)
• eSIM issues: If using eSIM, try removing and re-adding it

Verify Your Phone Number

1. Go to Settings > Phone > My Number
2. Confirm the number is correct
3. If it’s wrong, contact your carrier to update it

Why Texts Work But Calls Don’t

Understanding the difference:

• iMessage uses data/Wi-Fi, not cellular voice service
• SMS/MMS uses a different cellular pathway than voice calls
• This is why you can text but not call – the voice service specifically is having issues

iPhone-Specific Features to Check

Wi-Fi Calling

If cellular is weak but Wi-Fi is strong:

1. Go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling
2. Toggle it ON
3. This allows calls over Wi-Fi instead of cellular

VoLTE (Voice over LTE)

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options
2. Tap Voice & Data
3. Select 5G or LTE
4. Make sure LTE is enabled for better call quality

When to Contact Apple Support

Visit an Apple Store or contact Apple Support if:

• You’ve tried all troubleshooting steps
• The issue started after physical damage
• Your iPhone is under warranty or AppleCare+
• You suspect hardware failure

Contact Apple: https://support.apple.com or visit an Apple Store

When to Contact Your Carrier

Contact your carrier if:

• The SIM card appears damaged
• You’re getting “No Service” consistently
• Multiple iPhones on your account have issues
• You recently changed plans or phone numbers

Prevention Tips

• Keep iOS updated
• Regularly check for carrier updates
• Avoid exposing your iPhone to extreme temperatures or moisture
• Use a quality case for protection
• Monitor your cellular data and account status

Still Not Working?

If you’ve exhausted all options:

1. Backup your iPhone via iCloud or computer
2. Factory reset: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
3. Restore from backup after the reset
4. If the problem persists after a factory reset, it’s likely a hardware issue requiring professional repair

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Most common solution: In many cases, simply resetting network settings (Step 5) or toggling Airplane Mode resolves the issue. Start with the simplest solutions first!

Key Takeaways

• Check if Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode is enabled.
• Reset network settings and update carrier settings.
• Restart your phone and update software regularly.

Troubleshooting Network and Software Issues

When your iPhone can’t make calls but can send texts, it might be due to network or software problems. Below are steps to identify and fix these issues.

Assessing Network Connectivity and Carrier Issues

First, check if your iPhone has good signal strength. Look at the signal bars at the top of the screen. If there are none or only one, move to a different location. Network issues can be related to your service provider’s coverage area.

Next, ensure there aren’t any service outages. Visit your carrier’s website or contact customer support to see if there’s a known problem. You can also try making a call in an area where you know the signal is strong.

Sometimes, network settings get messed up. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset Wi-Fi passwords, preferred networks, and VPN settings.

Checking iPhone Settings and Configurations

Incorrect settings might be why your iPhone can’t make calls. First, check if Airplane Mode is off. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner and make sure the airplane icon isn’t highlighted.

Next, ensure Do Not Disturb is turned off. In the Control Center, look for the crescent moon icon. The icon should not be highlighted.

Check if Wi-Fi Calling is turned off. If it’s on, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling to disable it. This can sometimes interfere with making regular calls.

Verify that calls aren’t being blocked. Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers to see if it’s enabled. If it is, turn it off to allow all calls to come through.

Updating Software to Resolve Glitches

Outdated software can cause call issues. Start by checking for an iOS update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download and install any available updates. This can fix bugs and glitches that may be affecting call functionality.

Update the carrier settings. Open Settings > General > About. If there’s an update, you will see a prompt to install it. This ensures your iPhone is using the latest settings.

Lastly, restart your iPhone. Sometimes a simple reboot can fix software glitches. Turn off your iPhone by holding the power button and wait a few seconds before turning it back on. This can refresh the system and solve call issues.