Unblocking callers already in my contacts list.

I have two recently added cell numbers in my contacts list whose calls to me go straight to voicemail. They are not in my blocked callers list, so why do they get diverted? Thanks a bunch to whomever has advice.

iPhone 14

Posted on Jul 18, 2023 3:03 PM

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5 replies

Jul 19, 2023 11:11 AM in response to RodvS

Hey there RodvS,


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities.


To get started, you stated that the two contacts who's calls are going to voicemail are listed in your Contacts app, correct? If so, does the issue persist after restarting your iPhone? While restarting may seem like a simple step, it can sometimes help with resolving some unexpected issues like this: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support


How to restart your iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later
1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.


If the issue persists after restarting your iPhone, and if you go into Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, is this setting enabled here?


If it is, while Silence Unknown Callers should only cause callers not in your Contacts app to be rerouted to voicemail, try turning this setting off and test the issue again. More information on this feature can be found here: Detect and block spam phone calls - Apple Support


If Silence Unknown Callers is already disabled, or if the issue persists after disabling this setting, do you by chance use any Focus features on your iPhone such as Do Not Disturb? If you do, depending on how you have the Focus settings configured, it could cause certain contacts to go straight to voicemail while the Focus is enabled. For more details on using Focus features on your iPhone, check out this next link here: Use Focus on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Keep us updated on what you find!


Take care.

Jul 19, 2023 12:39 PM in response to Chris_V89

Hello Chris_V89 - thanks so much for the reply - unfortunately your suggestions did not fix the problem. I restarted my phone, turned off the "Silence Unknown Callers" setting and had my friend call (straight to vm), then turned it back on (another call to vm). I have never invoked any type of Focus features (I checked anyway and do not have any Focus features on).


Unless you have any other ideas, I fear I'll need to contact my carrier (AT&T) to see if something weird is happening to these numbers in their system.


Again, thanks very much for giving it a shot!

Regards,

RodvS

Jul 19, 2023 12:54 PM in response to RodvS

Hello RodvS,


Before you contact your wireless carrier, you'll want to isolate if it is actually a network side problem or if the problem is coming somewhere from the device. The easiest way to test that is to delete the contact you have saved for this number, then have them try calling you to see if the call comes in. (Make sure you still have the Silence Unknown Callers option turned off)


If the call goes straight to voicemail when the number is not saved as a contact, then you'll know the issue is coming from somewhere on the network end. If the call does come through when the number is not saved as a contact, then you'll know the issue is coming from some setting somewhere on the device.


If the call does come through when not saved as a contact, try adding the number back as a contact then test once more to see if it goes back to sending it right to voicemail.


Cheers!

Jul 20, 2023 5:47 PM in response to Jaym_8

Hello Jaym_8 - Thanks for the ideas - I tried them with no luck. One thing that I finally noticed during this whole episode is that when my friend calls me and he says the call goes to vm, his call does not show up in my "Recents" list, nor does his actual voicemail show up in my "Voicemail" listing - weird, huh? Sounds like a network, or carrier, problem.

Thanks again,

RodvS

Unblocking callers already in my contacts list.

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