Audio & calls

iPhone calls go straight to voicemail

This usually means Do Not Disturb is on, the phone has no signal, or you've been blocked by that specific contact. Checking phone settings first rules out the most common cause.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
5–15 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$0

Symptoms

  • Callers say the phone doesn't ring at all
  • All calls, not just some, go to voicemail
  • Phone shows no signal or low signal
  • Only calls from one contact go to voicemail

Likely causes

  • CommonDo Not Disturb or Focus mode enabledThese modes send all calls straight to voicemail unless the caller is an allowed exception.
  • CommonNo cellular signal or Airplane Mode is onWithout a signal, all calls route directly to voicemail.
  • PossibleCaller specifically blockedIf only one contact goes to voicemail, they may be on your blocked list.
  • PossibleCall forwarding accidentally turned onThis setting reroutes all incoming calls to voicemail or another number.
  • Less commonCarrier account or network issueA billing or provisioning problem on the carrier's side can misroute calls.

What to do

  1. Check the Control Center or Settings for Do Not Disturb or Focus mode and turn it off.
  2. Confirm the phone has a cellular signal and isn't in Airplane Mode.
  3. Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and check if the caller is listed there.
  4. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and make sure it's turned off.
  5. Restart the phone to refresh its connection to the carrier network.
  6. Ask the caller to try again after a few minutes in case it was a temporary network blip.
  7. Remove and reinsert the SIM card to rule out a loose connection.
  8. If calls still go straight to voicemail with all settings correct, contact your carrier to check the account.

When to call a pro

If all settings check out and calls still route to voicemail, your carrier needs to verify the account and routing on their end.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.