iPhone 11 Not Receiving Calls? Here's The Fix!

David Lynch

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

You can't receive calls on your iPhone 11 and you're not sure why. You've missed some important calls and you're in need of an immediate solution. In this article, I'll explain why your iPhone 11 is not receiving calls and show you how to fix the problem!

How To Fix An iPhone 11 That Can't Receive Calls

11 Steps Total
1.

Turn Off Airplane Mode

When your iPhone is in Airplane mode, both Wi-Fi and cellular connections turn off and you won't be able to receive calls or text messages.

How Do I Turn Off Airplane Mode?

There are two ways to turn off Airplane mode:

Turn Off Airplane Mode In The Settings App

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Look at the switch next to Airplane mode.
  3. If the switch is green, then Airplane mode is on.
  4. Use your finger to tap the switch. You'll know the switch is off when it turns gray.
  5. If the switch was already gray when you opened the Settings app, then Airplane mode was already turned off.

Turn Off Airplane Mode In Control Center

  1. To open Control Center, swipe up from below the bottom of your screen.
  2. If the Airplane mode icon airplane mode icon is white inside an orange circle, then Airplane mode is on.
  3. To turn off Airplane mode, use to finger to tap the Airplane mode icon. You'll know Airplane mode is off when the Airplane mode icon becomes black inside a gray circle.
  4. If the Airplane mode icon is already black inside a gray circle, then Airplane mode is already turned off.
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2.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb

When Do Not Disturb is on, all incoming calls, notifications, and alerts will be silenced.

How Do I Turn Off Do Not Disturb?

Turn Off Do Not Disturb In The Settings App (iOS 15 and newer)

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Focus.
  3. Tap Do Not Disturb.
  4. Turn off the switch next to Do Not Disturb.
  5. You'll know Do Not Disturb is off when the switch is gray and positioned to the left.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb In Control Center (iOS 15 and newer)

  1. Swipe down from the upper right-hand corner of the screen (iPhones with Face ID) or up from below the bottom of the screen (iPhones without Face ID).
  2. Tap the Do Not Disturb or Focus icon.
  3. You'll know Do Not Disturb, or your Focus, is off when the icon is no longer illuminated.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb In The Settings App (iOS 14 and older)

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Do Not Disturb.
  3. Use your finger to tap the switch next to Manual. 
  4. You'll know Do Not Disturb is off when the switch is gray.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb In Control Center (iOS 14 and older)

  1. Swipe down from the upper right-hand corner of the screen (iPhones with Face ID) or up from below the bottom of the screen (iPhones without Face ID).
  2. Use your finger to tap the Do Not Disturb icon, which looks like a moon.
  3. You'll know Do Not Disturb is off when the moon icon is black inside a gray circle.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb Using Siri

  1. Press and hold the side button (iPhones without a Home button) or the Home button to activate Siri.
  2. Say, "Turn off Do Not Disturb."
  3. Siri will turn off Do Not Disturb.
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3.

Turn On Voice Roaming

If Voice Roaming is turned off, your iPhone may have trouble connecting to your carrier's cellular network.

How Do I Turn On Voice Roaming?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
  4. Tap Roaming.
  5. Turn on the switch next to Voice Roaming. You'll know it's on when the switch is green.
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4.

Update Carrier Settings

The UpPhone recommend that you update carrier settings immediately after they become available because outdated settings may lead to connectivity issues between your iPhone and your wireless carrier's network.

Some potential issues include having poor service or your iPhone going straight to voicemail anytime you receive a call.

  1. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, or that Cellular Data is turned on.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Make Tap General.
  4. Tap About.
  5. After a few seconds, if a carrier settings update is available, you'll see a pop-up on the screen of your iPhone which says, "New settings are available. Would you like to update them now?"
  6. Tap Update.
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5.

Update iOS On Your iPhone

If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, you may run into problems that could be fixed simply by updating to the most recent version of iOS.

How Do I Update iOS On My iPhone?

There are two ways to update iOS on your iPhone: in the Settings app and by using iTunes.

Update iOS In The Settings App

  1. Open up the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, tap Install Now or Download and Install.

Update iOS Using iTunes (PCs and Macs running macOS 10.14 or older)

  1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning cable.
  2. Open iTunes.
  3. Click the Phone button in the upper left-hand corner of iTunes (see image 3).
  4. Click Check For Update.
  5. If an update is available, click Download and Install.

Update iOS Using Finder (Macs running macOS 10.15 or newer)

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a charging cable.
  2. Open Finder.
  3. Click on your iPhone under Locations.
  4. Click the General tab.
  5. Click Check for Update.
  6. Click Download and Install if an iOS update is available.
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6.

Remove And Reinsert The SIM Card

Taking out the SIM card and putting it back in can give your iPhone a second chance to connect to your wireless carrier's network.

  1. Use a SIM card ejector tool or small paperclip to open the SIM card tray on the right side of your iPhone.
  2. Close the tray once you've opened it.
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7.

Reset Network Settings

When your iPhone connects to a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device for the first time, it saves information about how to connect to that network or device. If something changes with that process, it may cause connectivity issues.

Deep software problems, especially with network settings, can be difficult to track down. Rather than trying to track an issue down, we're going to reset all network settings and give your iPhone a fresh start.

How Do I Reset Network Settings?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down and tap Transfer Or Reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Reset.
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  6. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  7. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, and turn itself on again when the reset is complete.
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8.

Back Up Your iPhone

It's important to back up your iPhone before doing any major restores (such as a DFU restore). If something goes wrong while you're trying to fix your iPhone, having a back up means you won't lose any of your data (such as contacts, photos, apps, and more). Restoring from a back up is a lot more convenient than having to go and reenter all the information that was saved on your iPhone.

How Do I Back Up My iPhone?

There are a few different ways to back up your iPhone:

Backup Your iPhone Using iCloud

  1. If you have a WiFi connection, you can back up your iPhone using iCloud.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Tap on Your Name at the top of the screen.
  4. Tap iCloud.
  5. Scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup.
  6. Make sure the switch next to iCloud Backup is on. You'll know the switch is on when the switch is green.
  7. Tap Back Up Now.
  8. A status bar will appear to tell you how much time is remaining.

Backup Your iPhone Using iTunes

  1. Plug the Lightning connector on your Lightning cable (charging cable) into the Lightning port on your iPhone.
  2. Plug the other end of your Lightning cable into a USB port on your computer.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer.
  4. Click on the iPhone icon in the upper left hand corner of iTunes.
  5. Click the circle next to "iCloud" or "This computer" to select whether you want to backup your iPhone to iCloud or your computer.
  6. Click Back Up Now to backup your iPhone.
  7. When the backup is complete, you'll see the time and date updated under Latest Backup.

Backup Your iPhone Using Finder (Macs Running Catalina 10.15 or newer)

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a charging cable.
  2. Open Finder.
  3. Click on your iPhone under Locations.
  4. Click the circle next to Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
  5. Click Back Up Now.
  6. When the backup is complete, you'll see the time and date updated under Latest Backup.
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9.

Put Your iPhone In DFU Mode

A DFU restore is the last troubleshooting step you can take to rule out a software problem on your iPhone.

Watch our step-by-step DFU restore guide on YouTube, or follow the steps below:

  1. Plug your iPhone in a computer.
  2. Open iTunes (on PCs or Macs running macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier) or Finder (Macs running macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer).
  3. Press and release the volume up button.
  4. Press and release the volume down button.
  5. Press and hold the side button until your iPhone's display goes black.
  6. When the screen turns black, press and hold the volume down button while continuing to hold the side button.
  7. Hold both buttons for five seconds.
  8. After five seconds, release the side button, but continue to hold the volume down button.
  9. Release the volume down button when your iPhone appears in iTunes or Finder.
  10. Your iPhone appears in iTunes or Finder, it's in DFU mode!
  11. Click Restore and follow the on-screen prompts to DFU restore your iPhone.
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10.

Contact Your Wireless Carrier

Sometimes when your iPhone experiences issues related to your cellular network (no or poor service, calls going straight to voicemail), the problem is stemming from the cellular network, not the iPhone itself.

Below are the support numbers of major wireless carriers to contact if you're experiencing problems.

  1. Verizon: 1-(800)-922-0204
  2. Sprint: 1-(888)-211-4727
  3. AT&T: 1-(800)-331-0500
  4. T-Mobile: 1-(877)-746-0909
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11.

Repair Your iPhone With Apple

Apple repairs iPhones at the Genius Bar in Apple Stores and through their online mail-in repair service. Apple repairs are high-quality, but out-of-warranty repairs can be much more expensive than third-party solutions. If you're looking to save some money you're not covered by Apple's warranty, you may want to check out our other recommendations.

How Do I Repair My iPhone With Apple?

How To Repair Your iPhone With Apple's Mail-In Service

  1. Visit Apple's support website to begin the online mail-in repair process.
  2. Alternatively, call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) to set up a repair.

How To Repair Your iPhone At The Genius Bar Inside Your Local Apple Store

  1. Visit Apple's website to make a Genius Bar appointment before you go into the store. Apple Stores are extremely busy, and if you don't have an appointment, you may have to wait for hours or end up being turned away. (Editor's note: I'm a former Apple tech and we're not exaggerating — please, do yourself a favor and make an appointment first!)
  2. When you arrive, go to the Genius Bar to check in for your appointment.
  3. Genius Bar appointments always include free diagnosis. If you're under warranty, many repairs can be done on the spot, but it all depends upon which parts are in stock. If you're not under warranty, the Genius will give you a quote for the cost of a repair.
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What A Close Call!

You've fixed your iPhone and now it's receiving phone calls again. Now you'll know how to fix the problem the next your iPhone 11 is not receiving calls. Feel free to leave any other questions you have down below in the comments section.

AUTHOR

David Lynch

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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Jennifer Rathburn
Jennifer Rathburn
3 years ago

My daughter has the iPhone 11 Pro. She is able to get text messages and make calls, but all the calls she receives go to voicemail.

Colin Boyd
Editor
3 years ago

Hi Jennifer! That sounds very frustrating, but there are a number of reasons why an iPhone might send calls straight to voicemail. Here’s a link to an article we published all about why an iPhone might have this problem: https://www.payetteforward.com/why-does-my-iphone-go-straight-to-voicemail-heres-the-fix/

Hope this helps!

Sarah Kirvin
Sarah Kirvin
3 years ago

Why i can’t get some phone calls and text messages the same way on my iPhone 11

Colin Boyd
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah Kirvin

Hi Sarah! Could you please share more details about the issue you’re having? Are you receiving calls and texts without getting notifications?

Colin Boyd
Editor
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah Kirvin

Hi Sarah! Could you please share more details about the issue you’re having? Are you receiving calls and texts without getting notifications? Or are you only receiving calls / texts from certain phone numbers?