How do I stop calls from going to voicemail on iPhone?

Hi everyone,


Relatively expert user, but this one has me stumped. About a week or so ago, when I updated my phone, I somehow landed in a situation where phone calls now ring once, maybe, and then go straight to voicemail. I can see the call come in, poster screen & number, but then it says "call ended".


I have eliminated every normal answer that I've searched for from old threads:

  • I am not on Do Not Disturb
  • I am not using Call Forwarding
  • I do not have Silence Unknown Callers on, and they are known.
  • I do not need a carrier settings update
  • I do not have a focus mode on


Running iOS 18.5 now... please help. I am missing important calls because of this.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: All my calls ring once, barely, and then go straight to voicemail, even ones in my contacts. Help!

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jun 19, 2025 5:01 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 23, 2025 9:15 PM

Your first suggestion was the winner.


It was confusing at first, because call forwarding was off. I literally have never used it. But initially I tried turning it on and then off quickly. Nothing changed.


HOWEVER, what worked was turning it on, and then filling in a phone number. Used my home line. It spun for a while, didn't even look like it worked. However, I left it on, and then the next day, when someone called me, it rang the home line.


I then went to turn it off, and everything now works perfectly. Clearly had some sort of error where it thought call forwarding was one, but had no number assigned to it.


Thank you! Problem solved.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 23, 2025 9:15 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Your first suggestion was the winner.


It was confusing at first, because call forwarding was off. I literally have never used it. But initially I tried turning it on and then off quickly. Nothing changed.


HOWEVER, what worked was turning it on, and then filling in a phone number. Used my home line. It spun for a while, didn't even look like it worked. However, I left it on, and then the next day, when someone called me, it rang the home line.


I then went to turn it off, and everything now works perfectly. Clearly had some sort of error where it thought call forwarding was one, but had no number assigned to it.


Thank you! Problem solved.

Jun 23, 2025 9:17 PM in response to adamnash

Posting the answer to benefit the next person with this problem.


The issue was Call Forwarding.


Apparently, it was just forwarding my calls to nowhere, as I had never used the feature and had no number set.


Solution was:

1) Turn on call forwarding

2) Edit the number, so that it forwarded to my home phone.

3) Verify that worked.

4) Turn off Call Forwarding.


Solved the problem. Infuriatingly difficult to resolve as most sites had about 12 different things to try, none of which helped at all.

Jun 24, 2025 9:25 AM in response to adamnash

adamnash wrote:

Your first suggestion was the winner.

It was confusing at first, because call forwarding was off. I literally have never used it. But initially I tried turning it on and then off quickly. Nothing changed.

HOWEVER, what worked was turning it on, and then filling in a phone number. Used my home line. It spun for a while, didn't even look like it worked. However, I left it on, and then the next day, when someone called me, it rang the home line.

I then went to turn it off, and everything now works perfectly. Clearly had some sort of error where it thought call forwarding was one, but had no number assigned to it.

Thank you! Problem solved.

You’re welcome. What probably happened is your carrier misconfigured your account for Call Forwarding; if they do it that isn’t reflected in Settings. So by what you did you were able to reset it.


Ring Once for call fowarding is a feature to remind you that it is on.

Jun 19, 2025 5:12 PM in response to adamnash

That is normally a symptom of call forwarding, although you said it is off. So try turning it on, then off again. Next, call your carrier and see if it’s a problem on their end.


It probably isn’t focus related, because with any focus on it wouldn't ring at all.


This is really a long shot, although if you are using Wi-Fi calling it’s a possibility: Do you have a 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN, then restart your device. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile.


Again with Wi-Fi calling, try turning it off.


I’ve run out of ideas for the moment.

Jun 21, 2025 1:32 AM in response to adamnash

When your iPhone sends incoming calls directly to voicemail or is disconnected after a ring, it might be due to various reasons. This can occur if the recipient's phone is powered off, in a low signal area, or if they have enabled the "Do Not Disturb" mode. Additionally, the contact's number may be blocked or marked as spam.


  1. Check your DND status - If you're experiencing issues with notifications or incoming calls, it's important to check your Do Not Disturb (DND) status. On most devices, you can access this setting by going to "Settings" and selecting "Do Not Disturb." Make sure DND is turned off or adjust the settings to allow desired notifications and calls to come through.
  2. Check BedTime status - If you're using the Bedtime feature on your iPhone, you can track your sleep patterns and set a schedule for waking up and going to bed. To check your Bedtime status, open the "Clock" app and tap on the "Bedtime" tab. Ensure that your sleep schedule is accurately configured, allowing your device to provide sleep analysis and reminders accordingly.
  3. Check your Sound Volume - If you're experiencing low or no sound on your iPhone, it's essential to check your sound volume settings. You can adjust the volume by using the physical volume buttons on the side of your device or by going to "Settings" and selecting "Sounds & Haptics." Ensure that the volume is turned up and not muted.
  4. Check your Ringer switch - If you're not receiving any sound notifications for calls or messages, it's important to check the position of your device's ringer switch. Depending on the model of your iPhone, the ringer switch is located on the side or top of the device. Make sure the switch is not set to the silent or muted position.
  5. Check Call Audio Routing - If you're having issues with audio during calls, such as not hearing the caller or distorted sound, you should check the Call Audio Routing settings. On an iPhone, you can access this by going to "Settings," selecting "Accessibility," and then "Audio/Visual." Ensure that the audio routing is set to the desired option, such as Bluetooth, speaker, or automatic.
  6. Check Auto Answer Calls - If your iPhone is automatically answering calls without your input, it's important to disable the Auto Answer Calls feature. Go to "Settings," select "Accessibility," and then "Touch." From there, disable the "Auto Answer Calls" option to regain control over incoming calls.
  7. Check Connection with Bluetooth Audio - If you're having trouble streaming audio from your iPhone to Bluetooth devices, it's crucial to check the Bluetooth connection. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in the device settings, and try reconnecting your iPhone to the Bluetooth audio device. If the problem persists, you may need to unpair and repair the devices or troubleshoot further using Apple Support resources.
  8. Check whether in Headset Mode - If your iPhone seems stuck in headphone mode despite no headphones being connected, it could be a software issue. You can try solving this by cleaning the headphone jack with compressed air or gently inserting and removing headphones a few times. If the problem persists, you may need to seek assistance from Apple Support for further troubleshooting steps or possible repairs.


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How do I stop calls from going to voicemail on iPhone?

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