iPhone doesn't ring or vibrate on all calls

Hi Maryannd,

I have an iPhone 6Plus, and used to have an iPhone 5. My Mother had an iPhone 3GS, and now uses a different iPhone 5 to the one I had. They ALL had the same problem with the phone only vibrating when it was 'ringing', when do not disturb was OFF, and the ringer volume on MAXIMUM. The only 'switch' or button on the iPhone that can cause this, is the little switch at the top LEFT corner of the phone when looking at the screen. I am not sure but I think on iPhones older than iPhone 6 that this switch could be set to either 'mute' the phone - therefore it will NOT make a noise, but just vibrate instead when a call is being RECEIVED - or you could set this switch to 'lock' the screen instead (although I think a better screen lock would be with a passcode, being more secure from unwanted attention).

If the button you describe as the 'silence' button is the same one, then this button is 'activated' when you can see the 'coloured part' (orange on iPhone 5 and 6Plus) when the switched is slid forwards towards the front of the phone and obviously DEactivatedwhen slid backwards. If there is some 'other' setting on your iPhone 4 that does the same or similar thing I am not aware of it, since I have never used an iPhone older than an iPhone 5.

I hope this helps. If it does not, then try an Apple Store Genius Bar Appointment, or (if you are in the UK, you could phone 08001076285 for Applecare Tech Support, but be prepared for people who leave you on hold for ages, don't know the answers, and sometimes cut you off when putting you on hold (while they are 'getting the answers') and DON'T phone you back when you are cut off, even though the first thing they ask you for is your phone number so they can 'ring you straight back if you get cut off!!!'

Good Luck

Bob

Hello Maryannd,

Actually I got that wrong. The 'silent' or mute mode is still ACTIVATED when you can see the (orange) coloured bit inside the recess that the switch is in, but is is activated when you slide the switch BACKWARDS rather than forwards (on the iPhone 6Plus). This may be different on an iPhone 4, but I would think that the switch itself can do much the same thing whichever way it has to be slid to be activated or deactivated or whether is it set (somewhere in settings) to act as a mute switch or a screen lock switch.

Sorry I can't help further than that.

Bob

Hi Maryannd,

Thanks for replying, sorry I could not help. Hopefully the problem won't happen again, but if it does I hope someone else will have some idea why it happened or is happening if it continues.

I have noticed strange things similar to to this and completely different happen on every 'smart' phone I have had, with no apparent explanation possible from anyone I have asked, including the tech support departments of the manufacturers as well as the forums and communities of users.

Good luck in your search for an answer, and I hope you don't miss any more important calls.

Bob

Hi Maryannd,

I had the same problem with iPhone 5s. Check the following: Settings >Do Not Disturb >Allow Calls From... I bet yours is set for Favorites, change this to Everyone and that should do it.

Hope this helps,

Tom

both my husband and I Have same problem have iPhone 5c we get some calls some not. We will get voicemail and usually the voicemail rings but not always. Same with text messages. i don't have do not disturb on my bottom is not on silent. Have turned phone off and back on. in settings we have everyone checked on who's calls to be accepted. Talked with sprint did do a reset and to call advanced support if there still is a problem. I would think it's the phone but both our phones doing the same thing. And it still does it. If this continues will get new phone but not iPhones.