iPhone 16 Pro Max - Can't Receive Calls - Straight To VM

Waiting on a solution from someone, anyone. I'm currently on iOS 26.0.1.


  • Apple swapped my phone
  • Hard reset didn't work
  • Factory reset didn't work
  • eSim to physical sim didn't work
  • Network setting reset didn't work
  • Call screening is off
  • Voicemail is off
  • Dial assist is off
  • Call forwarding is off
  • Call filtering is off
  • Call waiting is off
  • Calls in other devices is off
  • Optus don't know, but are investigating
  • Apple didn't pick up any issues in diagnostics


It's 100% an iOS 26 issue. My wife has the same phone, same network, iOS 18, no issues.


Borrowed another phone with iOS 18.7, swapped sim. Works fine.


This has been going on a month, ever since I downloaded iOS26. That did the same thing.


Causing alot of frustration, and costing me alot of lost opportunities in work calls.


Lesson learnt - don't download any updates, at all. I can't even downgrade to iOS 18 any more, as it's not signed by Apple any more.


This needs fixed. Immediately.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 2, 2025 2:23 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 8, 2025 1:13 PM

I had the same problem and have fixed it, for now.

In my case incoming calls going directly to voicemail was caused by Bluetooth being on. Turning it off allowed calls to come through.

I say for now because in order to connect to CarPlay I need to turn on Bluetooth.

Give it a try and let me know if that temporary solution works for you.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 8, 2025 1:13 PM in response to gazzano8

I had the same problem and have fixed it, for now.

In my case incoming calls going directly to voicemail was caused by Bluetooth being on. Turning it off allowed calls to come through.

I say for now because in order to connect to CarPlay I need to turn on Bluetooth.

Give it a try and let me know if that temporary solution works for you.

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iPhone 16 Pro Max - Can't Receive Calls - Straight To VM

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