Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Phone Call Drops on iPhone
If calls keep dropping on your iPhone, you’re definitely not imagining things. It’s super annoying when your phone just cuts out mid-conversation, and yes, it happens for a bunch of reasons—bad signal, weird settings, or even some software bugs. Here are some steps to get it sorted, based on what’s worked for others (including some weird fixes). Because of course, iPhone has to make things a little more complicated than they should be.
Step 1: Toggle Airplane Mode
This helps clear out the network connection hiccups. Basically, it forces your iPhone to reconnect to the cellular towers. To do it:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (on iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to open Control Center.
- Tap the Airplane icon to enable Airplane Mode.
- Wait about 10 seconds — kind of weird, but sometimes it just needs that little restart of the radio signals—and then tap the icon again to turn it off.
This usually forces your phone to refresh its network connection. If that didn’t help, sometimes rebooting the phone completely does the trick.
Step 2: Check Wi-Fi Calling Settings
If your Wi-Fi calling is enabled, it can help with areas where cellular reception is spotty. But it can also cause weird conflicts. To make sure it’s set up right:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular.
- Tap Wi-Fi Calling and toggle it off briefly. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Sometimes toggling this off and on resets whatever lingering glitch was scoffing at your calls. This can improve call quality, especially indoors or in underground parking, where cellular signals suck.
Step 3: Adjust Cellular Data Options
This one trips some people up—auto-switching between 5G and LTE can cause signal dips or delays. To lock it into a stable setting:
- In Settings, go to Cellular.
- Tap Cellular Data Options.
- Select Voice & Data and choose 5G On or LTE—not Auto. On some phones, auto switches between networks, which may cause drops or delays.
This gets rid of the auto switching mess. Might be that on some carriers, sticking to LTE is more stable.
Step 4: Disable VPN Settings
Having a VPN active can interfere with the network—some VPNs are better behaved than others. To test if that’s why calls drop,:
- Head over to Settings > General.
- Tap VPN and switch it off.
This is a straightforward way to eliminate VPN conflicts if your calls are acting up. Sometimes VPNs can mess with your device’s ability to keep a steady call connection.
Step 5: Check for Carrier Updates
Your carrier regularly pushes updates to improve network connections and fix bugs. To see if you have one:
- Open Settings > General.
- Tap About. If there’s a carrier update, a prompt will show up—just follow to install it.
Keeping those settings fresh is crucial—like updating any other software.
Step 6: Disable Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode is great for saving battery but can limit some network functions. To disable:
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Turn Low Power Mode off.
This can help restore full network capacity, which is sometimes throttled when battery saving is active.
Step 7: Perform a Force Restart
Sometimes, the simplest fix is just to reboot—kind of like a physical reset in software form. The method varies a bit depending on your iPhone model:
- Press and quickly release Volume Up.
- Press and quickly release Volume Down.
- Hold the Side button until the Apple logo pops up.
This forces everything to reset without wiping your data. On some setups, this does the trick more often than not.
Step 8: Reset Network Settings
If your calls are still acting weird, resetting network configurations might help. Heads up, this resets Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth devices, and other network stuff, but no photos or apps get deleted:
- Go to Settings > General.
- Scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Confirm with your passcode.
Sometimes,, network glitches hang around and need a full reset to clear out.
Step 9: Check for Software Updates
Keeping your firmware up to date is key—updates often fix bugs affecting call stability:
- Open Settings, then General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If there’s an update, hit Download and Install. Sometimes, it prompts itself when you least expect, so worth keeping an eye on.
Clear bug fixes, performance improvements, and better network handling come bundled with these updates.
Step 10: Inspect Your SIM Card
This might seem obvious, but worth a check. If your SIM card is damaged or dirty:
- Power off your iPhone and eject the SIM tray.
- Inspect the SIM card for scratches or dust. Clean gently if needed.
- Insert it back carefully.
If you’re using an eSIM, you might want to contact your carrier to refresh or replace it, especially if persistent issues happen in the same spots.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
And here are some other things to keep in mind:
- Try moving a bit away from thick walls or elevators—poor reception kills call quality.
- In crowded places, network congestion makes everything worse; patience is sometimes needed.
- Make sure your phone has enough free storage—full storage can lead to all sorts of weird slowdowns.
Conclusion
Honestly, most dropped calls can be fixed by these steps. Regular updates and a quick check of settings can go a long way. If nothing works, reaching out to your carrier for deeper troubleshooting might be the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my calls drop frequently?
Usually, due to poor signal, network congestion, or glitches in the software. The above steps target these common causes.
How can I improve my call quality on my iPhone?
Strong signal, updated software, and Wi-Fi calling help. Also, avoiding interference from VPNs or other apps that mess with network settings.
What should I do if my SIM card is damaged?
Replace it through your carrier. Damaged SIMs cause weird connectivity issues, especially with calls and data.
Summary
- Toggle Airplane Mode and reboot your phone if needed
- Check Wi-Fi Calling & cellular network settings
- Update carrier and iOS software
- Inspect and possibly replace your SIM card
- Consider resetting network settings as a last resort
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just a bunch of steps that actually work in real life, fingers crossed.