A missing call screen can result from Phone app notifications, display-over-app permission, default-phone selection or a stuck call app—not the cellular connection itself. Check that the Phone app's incoming-call notifications are allowed. Confirm the intended Phone app is the default in the settings.
Differential
Likely causes of “Android phone rings but the incoming-call screen does not appear”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Incoming-call notifications are disabled for the Phone app
What separates it The phone rings but nothing appears, and missed calls show later in the call log.
How to confirm Check that the Phone app's incoming-call notifications are allowed.
- 2
The wrong app is the default Phone app
What separates it Another dialler or a call-screening app is set as default and does not show the call screen.
How to confirm Confirm the intended Phone app is the default in the settings.
- 3
Display-over-other-apps or battery restrictions are stopping the screen
What separates it The call screen appears when the phone is unlocked and not when locked, or inside another app.
How to confirm Allow the Phone app to display over other apps and remove battery restrictions.
- 4
The Phone app is stuck or needs an update
What separates it The call screen fails at random and a restart fixes it for a while.
How to confirm Update and restart the Phone app before clearing its data.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the screen fails when locked, unlocked or inside another app.
- Which Phone app is the default and the notification settings for it.
- Whether missed calls are recorded in the call log afterwards.
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedCapture the exact symptom
ReversibleAnswer from the notification shade if possible and check whether missed calls appear in the Phone app.
Run the smallest isolation test
ReversibleConfirm the intended Phone app is default and its incoming-call notifications are allowed at full-screen priority.
Correct only the proven cause
ReversibleRemove battery restrictions from the Phone app and update/restart it before clearing data.
Verify before changing anything else
ReversibleReceive test calls while locked, unlocked and inside another app.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Clear the Phone app's cache before its data, and answer from the notification shade while you fix the setting.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Android ring but not show the answer screen?+
Usually the Phone app's notification or overlay permission is off, or another app is set as the default. Fix the permission first.
Which permission is involved?+
Display over other apps for the phone app, and notifications for the phone app.
Does default phone app matter?+
Yes. A third-party dialer can conflict, so set the phone app you use in Default apps.
What if it happens only when locked?+
Check the lock screen notification setting and Do Not Disturb exceptions for calls.