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WhatsApp Calls Disconnect Automatically on iPhone 17 When Locked — How to Fix It

If you’ve recently upgraded to the iPhone 17 and noticed that your WhatsApp calls drop after 4–5 seconds when the phone is locked, you’re not alone. Many iPhone 17 users have reported the same frustrating issue — incoming WhatsApp audio and video calls connect briefly, then suddenly disconnect once the screen is locked.

WhatsApp Calls Disconnect Automatically on iPhone 17 , keeps dropping

While the calls work perfectly when the phone is unlocked, locking the device seems to trigger an automatic disconnection. Let’s break down what’s happening, what users have tried, and how you can fix or work around it.

The Issue: WhatsApp Calls Drop After 4–5 Seconds

Users are reporting that:

  • Incoming WhatsApp calls connect but end automatically within a few seconds when the phone is locked.
  • Calls work fine when the iPhone is unlocked.
  • The issue started after upgrading to iPhone 17 or updating iOS.
  • This affects both Wi-Fi and cellular data connections.

One user shared:

“Whenever my phone is locked and I receive an incoming WhatsApp call, it connects but gets disconnected automatically after about 4–5 seconds. I’ve tried restarting, updating, and checking settings — nothing helps.”

What’s Been Tried (and What Hasn’t Worked)

Many users have already tried common troubleshooting steps such as:

  • Updating WhatsApp to the latest version
  • Restarting the iPhone
  • Checking Background App Refresh and Notification permissions
  • Ensuring a stable internet connection

Unfortunately, none of these have solved the issue for everyone.

Possible Causes

There’s still some debate about whether this is an Apple iOS 17 bug or a WhatsApp software issue, but several clues point to an iOS-level conflict.

Here are the possible causes being discussed:

  1. Background Call Handling in iOS 17: Some users believe iOS 17 handles third-party VoIP apps differently when locked, causing calls to end abruptly.
  2. Network Permissions Issue: Network handoff between locked and unlocked states might be interrupted due to new iOS security restrictions.
  3. WhatsApp App Bug: The latest WhatsApp updates may not be fully optimized for iPhone 17 hardware or iOS 17 frameworks.
  4. VPN or Network Configuration: Some users found VPNs, firewalls, or carrier-level parental controls interfering with WhatsApp’s background connectivity.

Fixes and Workarounds You Can Try

Here are the most effective troubleshooting steps that have helped other users:

1. Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, background call handling fails due to bad network configuration.

Steps:

  • Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings
  • Reconnect to your Wi-Fi (you’ll need your Wi-Fi password again)
  • Restart your iPhone and test WhatsApp calls

2. Remove Any Active VPN or Network Profile

If you’re using a VPN or mobile management profile, remove it temporarily.

Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → Remove VPN configuration

Then restart your phone and try again.

3. Reinstall WhatsApp

Completely delete WhatsApp and reinstall it from the App Store. Make sure you have a backup first:

Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up Now

Reinstalling helps clear any outdated app permissions or cached background tasks.

4. Update iOS and WhatsApp

Both Apple and Meta have been releasing frequent updates.
Check for updates to ensure you’re running the latest versions:

  • Settings → General → Software Update
  • Open the App Store → Profile → Update All

5. Test Without Locking

As a temporary workaround, keep the iPhone unlocked during calls until an official fix is released. This confirms whether the issue only appears when the device is locked.

Community Reports: Still Unresolved for Many Users

  • One user wrote: “This only happens on my iPhone 17, not my older iPhone 15. So it’s likely a hardware or OS compatibility problem.”
  • Another added: “I got two iPhone 17s — mine works fine, my wife’s disconnects every time. Apple says it’s a WhatsApp bug; WhatsApp says it’s iOS. No solution yet.”
  • A T-Mobile technician reportedly found it’s likely a bug and has been escalated to Meta’s engineering team, but there’s no official timeline for a fix.

Conclusion

The WhatsApp call disconnection issue on iPhone 17 appears to be a software compatibility bug between iOS 17 and the current WhatsApp build. While Apple’s call backgrounding policies may play a role, Meta will likely need to release an update to address it fully.

Until then, users can try the following:

  • Reset network settings
  • Remove VPNs
  • Reinstall WhatsApp
  • Keep the phone unlocked for critical calls

If none of these solutions work, contact WhatsApp Support through the app or Apple Support to report your case. The more users report it, the faster an official patch will likely be released.

Key Takeaway

If your WhatsApp calls disconnect when your iPhone 17 is locked, don’t panic — it’s a widespread software issue, not a hardware defect. Keep your apps and iOS updated, and use the suggested workarounds until Meta or Apple issues a permanent fix.

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