Calls Dropping on iPhone? Here’s Why It Happens and How to Fix It

Okay, so let me just say this if your iPhone keeps dropping calls, you’re not imagining things. This isn’t just a once-in-a-while glitch. It happens. And honestly? It happens to a lot of people, including me.

I first noticed it when I was talking to a friend, and the call just poof  vanished. I thought it was a fluke. But then it happened again… and again. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a spotty signal. Something was up.

So, yeah if calls are dropping on your iPhone, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s what I learned while digging into it and how I eventually got mine working properly again.

First Guess? The Signal

Let’s start with the obvious. If your signal is trash  and I mean like, one bar flickering  chances are your phone just can’t hold the call. Doesn’t matter if you’re on an iPhone 12, 13, or even the latest model. If you’re deep inside a building or out in the middle of nowhere, it’s going to struggle.

What helped me:

• I switched on Airplane Mode for a few seconds and then turned it off, kinda forcing the phone to reconnect.
• Moving closer to a window helped, especially at home.
• And weirdly, just stepping outside for a second worked better than expected.

Is It the Carrier?

Now, here’s the part people forget: it might not be your phone at all. Sometimes the carrier just… sucks. No offense, but even big names have bad days. Maybe there’s a tower issue or maintenance you don’t know about.

Pro tip:
Go on Downdetector or Twitter and search your carrier’s name. If other people are complaining too, well  it’s them, not you.

Don’t Rule Out iOS Bugs

I used to think iPhones were bulletproof. But software bugs? They sneak in. After an update, my calls started dropping more often. Coincidence? Probably not.

What I did:

• Open Settings > General > Software Update  and guess what? A new update was waiting.
• Installed it, restarted the phone. Calls got better after that.

Resetting the Network Settings (Scary but Worth It)

Okay, this one felt drastic, but someone in a Reddit thread swore by it, so I gave it a shot.

Steps I took:
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

It wipes out saved Wi-Fi passwords (ugh), but it also resets the way your phone connects to mobile networks. And guess what? My dropped calls? Way less frequent after doing this.

It Might Be the SIM Card. Seriously.

This one shocked me. My SIM card was a few years old, and I figured  hey, it’s a chip. It should last forever, right? Nope.

What worked:

 I popped it out, gave it a gentle wipe (with a dry cloth), and reinserted it.
If you’re still seeing issues after that, just ask your carrier for a replacement SIM. Most will do it free.

5G Settings = Hidden Trouble?

If your iPhone is using 5G, there’s a chance that’s the issue. Some towers don’t handle voice calls on 5G very well especially in areas where coverage is spotty.

Try this:
Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data
Then switch to LTE or 4G instead of 5G. I did that for a day and my calls stopped cutting out. No joke.

Hardware Problems (Worst-Case Scenario)

Hopefully, it doesn’t come to this. But yeah, if your phone’s been dropped, water damaged, or just aging out, the antenna or internal components could be acting up.

In that case? Might be time for a trip to the Apple Store.

So, Why Are Calls Dropping on iPhones?

Honestly? There isn’t just one reason. Sometimes it’s a signal. Other times it’s the software. Occasionally, it’s something dumb like a worn-out SIM card or a setting you didn’t even know was turned on.

But now that I’ve dealt with it personally, here’s a quick list of things you should try:

1. Check signal bars  move to a better spot
2. Use Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it
3. Restart your iPhone or update the software
4. Reset network settings (but save your Wi-Fi passwords!)
5. Try removing and cleaning your SIM
6. Switch from 5G to LTE  seriously
7. If all else fails, contact support

Final Thought

If you’re frustrated with calls dropping on the iPhone, trust me  I get it. You’re not alone. And while it’s annoying, most of the time it’s something you can actually fix. It just takes a little patience, a bit of trial and error, and maybe one or two deep sighs along the way.

Hopefully, at least one of these tips works for you like it did for me.

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