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iphone 12 dropping calls

My iPhone 12 Pro has been dropping nearly all calls since receiving after launch. The tech said "Oh, the diagnostic reported 13 out of 18 calls dropped recently, so that's not good". I purchased through Verizon, and have since gone through multiple resets, SIM card replacements and phone replacement and still have the same issues. All of the support was through Verizon and ultimately Verizon said this was a known issue with Apple and that I should take it up with them. So I just finished testing with an Apple tech, after over an hour on another phone I had to borrow to get this addressed. The Apple tech took it to his level 2 who ultimately said it was a Verizon issue, without a doubt because there is zero chance 2 new phones would have the same issue. They then placed me on hold because they said they wanted to bring Verizon on the call because I told them Verizon said to take it up with Apple. The Apple tech gave up after 35 minutes of being on hold and said we could try again later. Ha!

So no one is owning this known issue and I am stuck with a $1000 piece of garbage. Never again! I am going to have to shell out more money to get another phone and I am absolutely dropping Verizon as well. I would really like to know through all of this, is there anyone with the new iPhone 12 that is not having any dropped calls?

Posted on Dec 3, 2020 2:58 PM

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lobsterghost1

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Posted on Dec 30, 2020 4:15 PM

We have iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Max both on AT&T and not a single dropped call yet since launch of both.

This leads me to ask those who are having dropped call issues the following questions.

Did you transfer the sim from your previous phone to your new phone? If you did, you should get a new sim which is provisioned for 5g
Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data - What is it checked? If you live in an area with minimal to no 5G service (5G is still rolling out across a lot of the world), and your phone is set to 5G, you'll drop calls. Change it to 5G Auto or if you don't have 5G where you live to LTE

Otherwise it seems from those posting here, the common issue is Verizon. You should be hammering Verizon on this as it's most unlikely an issue with the phone. The entity who controls calls on your phone is not Apple. It is your cellular provider.

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Mar 31, 2021 1:59 PM in response to lobsterghost1

My husband and I both upgraded to iPhone 12 and 12 mini. His 12 drops the majority of calls. My mini is a little less. Regardless, we've done everything we can to try to mitigate the problem. We first checked with our internet provider because we use WiFi calling in our home. We then moved on to T Mobile and replaced SIM cards, checked settings, etc. As I write this Spectrum is here checking all lines having to do with our residence. From reading other complaints, it seems as though there is an issue with the iPhone 12 itself. Common sense says it's not the carrier, as it's happening with all the major companies.

As consumers we spend quite a hefty sum of money on our phones because they not only serve our business, but are now our primary source for communication as land lines are almost a thing of the past. It's a bit of an insult to be tossed back and forth with the blame game, and when all avenues point back to Apple, it's not addressed. Why is it so hard to say they're aware of all the complaints and addressing the issue? I'm quite sure the customers that use Apple products will still continue to support the company. We're intelligent enough to understand there are kinks in technology, but we cannot function with 10 second calls. Please rectify this.

tammi102

Level 1

4 points

Apr 1, 2021 7:13 AM in response to Rjconn007

I found this thread because I was having horrendous issues with my new 12 Pro Max. I have Verizon (never had any issues prior to getting a 5G capable phone) I was convinced based on this thread that I needed to dump Verizon and move elsewhere but...

I took the phone to Verizon and they replaced the SIM. My settings are set to automatic also (they always were) Here in Portland Oregon we don’t have **real 5G** I’m not sure what that means, but my phone seems to spend a great deal of time on LTE. I have not had any problems since and I am on my phone constantly for business. Also, Apple has a 1 year warranty as well, so if you aren’t getting the assistance you need, have them run a diagnostic on the phone.

It is definitely an odd issue and likely a combination of things.

My suggestion is to cover your *** with the warranty while you can. Apple stands behinds it’s products. They always have for me.

May 18, 2021 10:15 AM in response to iPhone123gissues

I'm not sure where in the world you live? Here in the US carriers are working to decommission 3G service and most if not all 3G services will cease to exist next year. Perhaps the issue for you is buying a 5G phone, when you may not have access to 5G service consistently?

Jun 6, 2021 6:09 AM in response to Shwnster

I have a 12 on T-Mobile and every call drops when I'm in my vehicle - When it drops, the phone shows no bars - I have to toggle airplane mode on/off to restore. I've done everything possible from web suggestions to Apple's suggestions. Wipe and setup as new, reset network settings, turn off 5G, etc. - Many times now.

Moving the SIM to an android, it NEVER drops. Another issue is making calls - On the iPhone, calls can take several seconds 5-20 to complete the call and start ringing. Android (brand new S21 5G) connects instantly and has yet to drop a call.

I've worked with Apple who totally denies the existence of the issue and T-Mobile is who suggested moving the SIM to an Android to see if it's their issue.

Jul 29, 2021 8:58 AM in response to rbkoontz

If this was an Apple hardware problem it would be universal to all owners of iPhone 12. It's not. Not by a long shot. We have iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Max. We are on the AT&T Network. We've never had a dropped call since getting our phones on launch.

But it seems pretty common for people on the Verizon network to have issues. Maybe it's time to consider moving to a difference carrier?

Jan 8, 2021 6:16 PM in response to adrienne144

You must live in a cellular area with older technology. If you don't get consistent LTE service, you could also drop calls. Have you tried setting it to 3G.

Jan 8, 2021 8:31 PM in response to adrienne144

Same thing - You need to push Verizon, or change carriers. No issues whatsoever with AT&T on iPhone 12 or 12 Pro Max.

Feb 15, 2021 5:28 PM in response to tinaheat23

Try switching off the Private Address in the WiFi network you’re connected to. I didn’t use it too much today but had no dropped calls.

Feb 26, 2021 6:45 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Could it possibly be our WiFi in our home not working properly? We have switched to xfinity Arris gateway modem/router.

Dec 3, 2021 9:22 PM in response to kgabby9643

switch your network to 5g If you’re you’re using your phone Castillo with Wifi. I fixed my problem. And my phones a lot faster

Dec 30, 2020 6:59 PM in response to Shwnster

You're anger appears to be misplaced. Sure, you can be mad at the phone, but when others like me are telling you that we have NO ISSUES with dropped calls on other services, like AT&T, it should be plainly obvious Verizon is the issue, not the phone. It seems there are plenty others with Verizon service complaining about iPhone 12. If you had AT&T, you wouldn't be here complaining.

Shwnster Author

Level 1

32 points

Dec 30, 2020 11:35 PM in response to Shwnster

Do your homework. The issues are on all 5G and 4G carriers at this point, and only in the US. This was finally acknowledged by Apple to me and also ran in an article by Forbes magazine on December 2nd.

Shwnster Author

Level 1

32 points

Jan 2, 2021 6:43 PM in response to Shwnster

Update on 2 Jan 2021. So the Verizon store put a 4G card in my phone hoping that would work. Still dropping calls. I have come to think that is is dropping calls when going from a low cellular signal to wifi. It cannot make the switch, and says call failed. I have also had it drop from a 5G connection at full bars but from the last 5 dropped calls, they were all at a low signal or 1 bar when my wifi was strong and within 5 feet of me. Wifi calling does work because I have disabled cellular. You might be thinking why don't I just disable cellular and use wifi. Well, that still drops as well. I can talk more than 3 or 5 min though.

Now I have been on the phone going from Verizon Loyalty to Tech back and forth going on 2.5 hours. First I was told by Verizon Loyalty that the Tech dept had to put in the correct notes in order for the Loyalty dept to release this phone so I can just get another phone. After over 45 min on hold the tech dept that I was transferred to did not know what I was talking about and said that Loyalty was the dept that could handle this. They then said they could offer me a $300 credit towards the balance on this phone or on my account. I told them that I am not asking for any discount or free phone, just to be released from this iPhone 12 Pro (3rd one) that keeps dropping calls. I will pay the full price for another phone, whatever. This is ridiculous. Still on hold being transferred back to Loyalty.

I am happy that there are some satisfied customers out there, but this particular phone, or the network, or the combination of it all is not working for me. I want to get what I am paying for. I'm also so deep into Apple it would not make sense to get out of the system for anything else. God I miss my iPhone X.

Jan 2, 2021 7:06 PM in response to sberman

In every thread on this I've read where someone was having issues with dropped calls, the one common theme has been Verizon.

We are on AT&T and have had no dropped calls. Verizon has an issue here.

Jan 10, 2021 12:45 PM in response to Fly_Boy_90

Fly_Boy_90 wrote:

Vzw and AT&T users are all having the same issues.

That's certainly possible. But EVERYONE I know who is on AT&T (and I have a lot of friends and co-workers on AT&T) are not having these issues. Not a single one. Yet MOST of the posters in this thread are Verizon customers. Hmmmm, what's the common denominator there?

I have a 5G plan on AT&T with zero issues. In fact we have iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Max both of which are drop-call-free.

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iphone 12 dropping calls