Unable to receive calls or voicemails on iPhone 16 Pro Max post iOS 18.5 update

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Unable to receive calls or voicemails on iPhone 16 Pro Max post iOS 18.5 update

Is anyone else having issues with not receiving calls after iOS 18.5 update? I received a text stating calls were going to voicemail. There were no missed calls and no voicemails. I messaged the caller to try again while I was watching the phone...and nothing. I performed all typical trouble shooting steps. No solution. It starts working again temporarily after switching phone off and on again. This started immediately after updating to iOS 18.5.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on May 24, 2025 02:44 PM

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Answer 1

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Slime101

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20 points

Jun 2, 2025 01:42 PM in response to CocoFerrante

Yes. Restarting my phone temporarily fixes the problem anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours and then it stops working again. I’ve been on the phone with Apple support and also Verizon, I’ve tried every troubleshooting step except restoring my iPhone to factory settings. I just don’t even know what to do. Hopefully a patch will come out to fix this. I was told that I will have to purchase a new phone if they can’t fix it.

It’s crazy because I know that it is a bug with this latest software update and I hope they realize!

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Answer 2

CocoFerrante Author

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May 29, 2025 06:56 AM in response to Peterjames_AU

Sorry you're having the same issue. I've always had an iPhone, and this is the first time I've experienced a significant issue with an update. With minor issues, I usually restart, and it solves the issue for quite a while.

This time, not only was my phone not ringing, I wasn't receiving voicemails or missed calls notifications either. I was only alerted to the issue, when I received a message from my sister, 'straight to vm ru ok?' I messaged her to try again, and watched as my phone did not ring and displayed no notifications. A restart seemed to resolve the issue, but the next day, the issue began again.

For now, I force a restart each night before bed (Steps by WheelieNick), and that seems to prevent the issue for the next day.

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Answer 3

May 28, 2025 11:38 PM in response to CocoFerrante

I’m also having the same issues. Wasn’t sure if it was iOS 18.5 or not. But most of the time phone calls don’t come through the first time. Always the second if they ring back. Focus is off. Unknown caller divert is also off. It’s hit and miss if I receive a call or not

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Answer 4

Slime101

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Jun 4, 2025 09:27 AM in response to CocoFerrante

My phone gets really hot now, too! I’ll update as well if I come across anything. I’m currently testing different apps to see if making calls through them is affecting the phone (like WhatsApp, for example.)

thank you!! Best of luck to you

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Answer 5

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,425 points

May 24, 2025 02:55 PM in response to CocoFerrante

Have you tried to force restart the iphone to see if the issues persist?

Press and quickly release the volume up button.
Press and quickly release the volume down button.
Press and hold the side button.
When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

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Answer 6

CocoFerrante Author

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Jun 2, 2025 09:17 AM in response to Slime101

Did you try the force restart (Steps described by WheelieNick)? For me, it resolves the issue for at least the next day.

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Answer 7

Slime101

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Jun 2, 2025 06:02 AM in response to CocoFerrante

I am having the same issue. Immediately after I updated my iPhone 13 Pro to iOS 18.5 I cannot receive phone calls or voicemails anymore. It has been 4 days now with no fix. My phone is silent the entire day. What’s the point of a phone if it doesn’t do its one biggest function?

I’ve had people tell me they left voicemails but I can’t even see them.

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Answer 8

CocoFerrante Author

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21 points

Jun 3, 2025 07:34 AM in response to Slime101

Wow - sorry you're experiencing such severe symptoms! Before I realized the severity of this bug, the first thing I noticed was battery usage went sky high - phone also very hot. My 13 Pro had never done that.

I gave my mom my 13 Pro, which strangely has NOT been affected by this bug, so I'm wondering if there are one or more culprit apps that are not behaving nicely with iOS 18.5? For me, the bug definitely started happening immediately after the update, so I'll keep an eye on that 13 Pro. If that phone starts experiencing the bug, I'll definitely let you know.

Like you I tried every troubleshooting step I found online. I even went to battery usage to help identity the biggest culprits, then one by one for installed apps, I adjusted settings (turning off notifications, etc.). Additionally, I uninstalled apps that I rarely use.

If I bump into anything helpful, I'll post it here, and I sincerly hope you stumble onto a more bearable workaround for your specific scenario while we wait for the patch.

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Answer 9

CocoFerrante Author

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May 24, 2025 03:25 PM in response to WheelieNick

The restart resolves the issue temporarily, but over time, it happens again. Thanks for the feedback, though.

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Unable to receive calls or voicemails on iPhone 16 Pro Max post iOS 18.5 update

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