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How do I fix an iPhone that misses calls and fails to send some texts?

Reviewed by John Porter, Editor ·

Answer

Toggle Airplane Mode, turn off Focus/Do Not Disturb and unwanted call forwarding, restart, then reset network settings if problems continue.

Before you start: stop right away if…

  • Reset Network Settings removes saved Wi‑Fi passwords.
  • Do not share one-time codes from texts with unexpected callers claiming to fix your service.

Follow these steps

  1. Toggle Airplane Mode

    Open Control Center, turn Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds, then turn it off and wait for cellular and Wi‑Fi to return.

    You should see: The phone reregisters on the network.

  2. Disable Focus and call forwarding

    Turn off Do Not Disturb and any Focus mode. Then go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and turn it off unless you intentionally forward calls.

    You should see: Calls and alerts are no longer silenced or redirected.

  3. Restart the iPhone

    Restart the iPhone, then send yourself a text and place a test call to another phone.

    You should see: Test messages and calls succeed.

  4. Reset network settings

    If issues remain, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, then rejoin Wi‑Fi and retest cellular.

    You should see: Stuck cellular/iMessage network settings clear.

  5. Contact the carrier if failures continue

    If texts still bounce with not accepting messages errors for many numbers, contact your carrier to check line provisioning and SMS routing on your number.

    You should see: The carrier repairs the line or identifies a block.

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Extra tips

What to look for: Focus status in Control Center, Call Forwarding settings, and errors like the wireless caller you are trying to reach is not accepting messages

Before you change anything: Note whether Wi‑Fi Calling is on and whether only some contacts fail. Back up the iPhone before Reset Network Settings if you want a safety copy. Avoid carrier “repair” links from unexpected texts.

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