My FaceTime calls keep dropping randomly, anyone else experiencing this or know a fix?

kal102 wrote:

I have a VPN app but I’ve never used it since getting the 17. I just deleted it hopefully that helps 🙏

Let us know how it goes without the VPN installed. The VPN is such a common problem with internet connectivity that even Apple has addressed it in a Support Article. The one thing that I can add is not using it makes no difference, just having it installed can still cause connectivity issues and alters network connections.

If your device has network connectivity issues, check for VPN and other third-party security software - Apple Support

That is also the reason why it was the very first suggestion I made to remove one if installed and also by MrHoffman, without any confirmation that you had one.

I have the 17e on iOS 26.6 and have no problem with FaceTime calls. One way to rule out a Wifi connection is to test with Cellular Data. If you are using a VPN, that should be removed, not just turned off to test.

Viewing the bars on your WiFi connection just measures signal strength to your router. If you are connected using the 2.4Ghz frequency from your router, you should try creating a 5Ghz only WiFi network and connect to that. The 2.4Ghz band suffers from band overlap and interference that won't be indicated in a Signal Strength meter. The 2.4Ghz band is only there for backwards device compatibility with older devices and your iPhone is fully capable of using the 5Ghz band.

Any add-on VPN apps or security apps? If so, remove all such apps — not just disable, but remove — and test again.

Do the calls also drop on other Wi-Fi networks, or just on networks in your own immediate area?

Mac Jim ID wrote:

…The VPN is such a common problem with internet connectivity ….

Yep. “Pinky promise” VPNs: over-hyped add-on apps badly solving a problem that hasn’t existed for a decade or so, and badly solving it in a way perfect for the collection and re-sale of personally-identified metadata.