iPhone Calls going Straight to Voicemail: iOS 26

Many iPhone 15, 16 Pro Max users are reporting a serious issue after updating to iOS 26 — incoming calls are not ringing and are going straight to voicemail. Even after restarting or updating to iOS 26.1, the problem continues, making the phone nearly unusable.

What Users Are Experiencing

90% of calls go directly to voicemail without ringing.
Hard resets temporarily fix the problem, but it returns within minutes.
Messages, email, and calendar sometimes also fail to update.
Dropped calls continue even after adjusting carrier and phone settings.
Some users noticed additional problems like USB-C charging issues after the update.

Possible Causes

iOS 26 Call Screening Feature – A new feature screens calls from numbers not saved in Contacts, sending them straight to voicemail.
Carrier Settings Conflict – Updating iOS sometimes disrupts AT&T, Verizon, or other carrier settings.
System Bugs in iOS 26 – The update appears to have introduced multiple connectivity bugs, especially affecting phone, messages, and email.
Network Settings Corruption – Old cached network data may block proper call handling.

How to fix iPhone Calls not receiving -Straight to Voicemail: iOS 26

1. Turn Off Call Screening

Go to:
Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers → Make sure it’s disabled.

2. Reset Network Settings

Navigate to:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

3. Hard Restart Your iPhone

Force restart by pressing and quickly releasing Volume Up, then Volume Down, and holding the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

4. Update Carrier Settings

Go to: Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt.

5. Try MagSafe or Wireless Charging

If you’re also experiencing USB-C charging problems, try MagSafe charging as a workaround.

6. Wait for the Next iOS Update

Apple has reportedly scheduled a 26.01 beta, with wider fixes expected in late October or November 2025.

Final Thoughts

If your iPhone 16 Pro Max on iOS 26 is sending calls directly to voicemail, you’re not alone. This issue seems to be a widespread bug tied to Apple’s latest update. For now, disabling call screening, resetting network settings, and using hard restarts may provide temporary relief until Apple rolls out a permanent fix.

Frustrated users are even considering moving away from iPhone, which shows how urgently Apple needs to address these problems in the next patch.