First, check that your iPhone isn’t in Silent or Do Not Disturb mode. Next, open the “Settings” app to turn off “Silence Unknown Callers,” Headphone Mode, and “Call Forwarding.” You can also reset network settings to remove any bugs.
Hi, I’m Devansh. Last month, I realized that when I locked my iPhone 13, it didn’t ring when receiving calls from unknown numbers. I learned this was because of a feature called Silence Unknown Callers, and I turned it off.
In this article, I’ll show you various settings you can change on your iPhone to ensure it always rings when receiving calls. I’ll also answer some related questions you may have about this topic.
If you keep missing calls because your iPhone doesn’t ring when locked, keep reading for solutions!
Contents
First Steps
Before I discuss four main settings changes you can make to ensure your iPhone rings when locked, here are some quick steps you can take.
- Check Silent mode: If your iPhone is in Silent mode, it won’t ring when you receive calls. To check this, see the Ring/Silent switch on the left-hand side of your iPhone. If it is showing orange, set it back.
- Turn off “Do Not Disturb”: Similar to Silent mode, Do Not Disturb can also silence incoming calls. To turn it off, open Control Centre, tap the Focus button, and tap Do Not Disturb to turn it off.
- Check volume settings: If your iPhone’s alert volume is too low, you may not hear incoming calls. To increase the sound, open Settings, go to Sounds & Haptics, and adjust the volume slider under Ringtone and Alerts Volume to your preferred level.
Once you follow these three steps, restart your iPhone and see if it rings when locked. If it doesn’t, keep reading for more in-depth fixes.
Adjust These iOS Settings to Make iPhone Ring When Locked
There can be various reasons why your iPhone does not ring when locked, but mostly, it’s because of faulty software settings. So, open the Settings app on your iPhone to make these four software changes.
Step 1: Turn Off Silence Unknown Callers
As mentioned earlier, I was missing calls on my iPhone 13 because of the Silence Unknown Callers feature. When enabled, it silences calls from numbers that aren’t saved in your Contacts list.
To turn it off, go to Phone, tap Silence Unknown Callers, and toggle it off.
Now, your iPhone should ring whenever you receive a call.
Step 2: Turn Off Headphone Mode
Your iPhone may be ringing on another device that you’re not using. To avoid this, go to Bluetooth, tap the ‘i’ next to any device you want to disconnect and select Forget This Device.
Doing this increases your chances of hearing your iPhone when it rings.
Step 3: Turn off Call Forwarding
Call Forwarding can also contribute to your iPhone not ringing when locked. To check this, go to Phone, Call Forwarding, and ensure it’s turned off.
Step 4: Reset Network Settings (Optional)
You can also reset your iPhone network settings to default, removing faulty settings or bugs. To do this, go to General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Reset, and Reset Network Settings. Note that this will delete all WiFi passwords saved on your iPhone.
I hope the above steps helped you make your iPhone ring. If you think your iPhone has dust buildup or hardware damage, read the following section to learn how to contact Apple Support.
Contacting Apple Support
Apple Support can provide expert help if your iPhone has a damaged speaker. You can contact Apple Support via their website or mobile app, schedule an appointment at an Apple Store, or visit an authorized service provider for further assistance.
FAQs
Here are some questions related to your iPhone not ringing when locked.
How to Turn Off Silent Mode on iPhone 15 Pro and Newer Models?
Since the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have an action button instead of a Ring/Silent switch, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and toggle off Silent mode.
What to Do if WhatsApp Call is Not Ringing When iPhone is Locked?
Open Settings, go to Notifications, navigate to WhatsApp, and toggle on Allow Notifications. You can also go to General, Background App Refresh, and toggle on WhatsApp in the list.
What to Do if Your iPhone Doesn’t Ring When Driving?
Driving Focus may be silencing calls on your iPhone. If so, incoming calls won’t ring unless your iPhone is connected to CarPlay, a Bluetooth system, or an accessory. To turn it off, open Control Center, touch and hold Focus, and tap Driving to turn it off.
Conclusion
If your iPhone isn’t ringing when locked, first check that it isn’t in Silent or Do Not Disturb mode. After that, open the Settings app and make the following changes: turn off Silence Unknown Callers, disconnect unnecessary Bluetooth devices, and turn off Call Forwarding.
If none of the above solutions work, your iPhone’s speaker may be damaged. In this case, contacting Apple Support is the best way to get expert technical assistance and fix your iPhone.
Do you have further questions about the iPhone not ringing when locked? Let me know in the comments!
