How can I stop my iPhone 16 Pro Max from dropping calls?

I've been troubleshooting an issue for a few days where calls were constantly dropping with Wi-Fi calling enabled. Neither Apple customer service, nor my cell carrier (Consumer Cellular) could provide any useful help. However, after extensive testing, I believe I’ve identified a solution.

Quick Fix: Turn Off 5G Auto

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data.
2. Select either 5G On or LTE, depending on what is available in your area.

This adjustment should allow for a seamless transition between Wi-Fi calling and your cellular network.

My Experience

iPhone 16 Pro iOS Version 18.2.1

With Wi-Fi calling enabled, calls would drop if my Wi-Fi connection dropped. Similarly, if I was on a call with Wi-Fi calling disabled, then enabled Wi-Fi calling during the call, the call would also drop. I have cell reception with 5G and LTE in my area, so I knew that wasn't the issue.

After switching 5G Auto to either 5G On or LTE, this was no longer an issue and calls no longer dropped. Interestingly, after making this adjustment, I reverted to 5G Auto, and the problem seemed resolved for now. It appears there is likely a bug with the 5G Auto setting that is causing the issue.

Please let us know if this helps you and hopefully this will help other frustrated iPhone owners.

It seems your iPhone is experiencing call connectivity problems, causing calls to abruptly end with "Call Back" or "Cancel" options on the screen, refer to the pics below. This happens when a call is failed which you forgot to mention in your post.

If you are experiencing intermittent silence or drop or the call itself is disconnected during voice calls on your iPhone, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue:

1. Poor signal strength can cause dropouts or silence during a call. Try moving to an area with better reception or switching to a different network if possible.
2. Restart your iPhone --> Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
3. Force Restart your iPhone --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support)
4. This may help too. General Troubleshooting iPhone Issues: St… - Apple Community
5. Check if your audio is not connected to external Bluetooth speakers.
6. Few other reasons why your device keeps Muting / Dropping / Disconnecting Calls or encountering Call Failed.
   1. Your device's cellular signal Is weak.
   2. It's Raining (Cats & Dogs) in your area or in the area where your device is hooked.
   3. The Cell Tower is Overloaded / Heavy Traffic (Telecommunication)
   4. You've misunderstood your signal strength
   5. You are moving and the signal weakens while changing from one tower to another
7. Other culprits may include the following:
   1. Bad Weather: Precipitation can leak into phone cable lines and cause disruptions. Lightening, even at a distance, can disrupt the connection.
   2. Wireless interference: Power lines, radio, or television. transmitters, transformers, and other electronic devices may cause noise on the phone line. --> Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless ...
   3. DSL services: The high-frequency signals coming from DSL (digital subscriber line) devices sharing the phone line can create problems for other technology connected to the line.
8. Try to turn on Airplane mode, wait for 10-15 secs, and turn off aeroplane mode.
9. Check the health of your device's Battery. Change if below 80%
10. Take the SIM out and Put it back again, Change your SIM, if it is damaged
11. Time to contact your Carrier / Change if required

Turn off wifi calling will fix this issue

Setting-Cellular-WIFI Calling-off

My case is that I have strong Wi-Fi, but I dropped the call when the Wi-Fi call was on. change 5g or LTE no help.

Turning off the Wi-Fi call is the only option I have and works for me . OS 18.3

I bought 3 iPhone 16 Pros 2 months ago and me, my wife & daughter are ALL constantly dropping calls in the house! We have strong cell signal (at least 3 bars) & WiFi enabled with Strong WiFi signal, and the calls still drop! Apple NEEDS to look into this and FIX the problem! ... Meanwhile, we will try to change it to just LTE and see if that fixes it!

Unfortunately, even with LTE only, the issue eventually continued. I purchased a new iPhone 16pro, but same problem occurred. I’m located in the US on AT&T. Worked with their tech support and got nowhere. They supposedly opened a ticket, but doubt that will lead to anything positive.

I can guarantee its the Iphone because I use a samsung phone in the same location at the same time calling back the same person and it never drops the call.

I have the same problem here in Australia. My service provider replaced my 1 month old iphone16pro with a new iPhone 16pro but it is still happening. It’s extremely frustrating with no answers. It is not the reception or service as I have never previously had this issue.

I am also having this issue. I have the extender but I have to restart my phone to even get it to connect half the time.

I’ve called Verizon countless times they have no idea why it’s happening.

it’s just so annoying because Apple said nothing wrong. Verizon said nothing wrong. But I CONSTANTLY drop calls. I have an iPhone 16 on Verizon.

FIrst started dropping ("call failed") calls on iphone 13: Apple Genius Bar said phone is fine, Verion replaced the Sim card....still dropping. In frustration I upgraded to iphone 16e, set up new phoen the usual way and BOOM, new phone dropping calls. Verizon says it's a software bug, told me to erase the phoen completely and don't put on any apps (which makes a smart phone a dumb phone.) Some days it's ok, other days dropped calls. I have turned off Siri, bluetooth, I don't have VPN, I changed to network "5g on" instead of 5g auto, i turned airplane mode on for 15 secs then turned it off.......I don't want this expensive dumbphone that can't even make phone calls! Any other ideas? I am going back to the Genius Bar today. thanks