When all calls go to voicemail, check cellular service, Focus, call forwarding and carrier status; when one caller is affected, check blocking, contact routing and spam filtering. Turn off the active Focus for a test and check the allowed callers.
Differential
Likely causes of “iPhone calls go straight to voicemail”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Focus or Do Not Disturb is on
What separates it Calls from some people, or from everyone, go straight to voicemail, and a Focus is active on the phone.
How to confirm Turn off the active Focus for a test and check the allowed callers.
- 2
Call forwarding or a carrier setting is on
What separates it Every call goes to voicemail and forwarding is turned on or a carrier feature sends calls away.
How to confirm Check the call-forwarding settings and the carrier's status.
- 3
A number is blocked, silenced or filtered as spam
What separates it Only one contact is affected and the number is blocked or in a silenced list.
How to confirm Check the blocked contacts and the unknown-caller filters.
- 4
Poor cellular service or a carrier problem
What separates it Calls fail to reach the phone, which shows no or low signal.
How to confirm Compare a saved contact, an unknown caller and an outgoing call while noting the signal.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether every caller or only one is affected.
- The signal, the Focus, call forwarding and blocked contacts.
- Whether the problem began after an update or a change of SIM.
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedCapture the exact symptom
ReversibleCompare one saved contact, one unknown caller and an outgoing call while noting signal and Focus icons.
Run the smallest isolation test
ReversibleTurn off the active Focus for a test, inspect forwarding and blocked contacts, then compare Wi-Fi Calling on and off.
Correct only the proven cause
ReversibleCorrect only the setting or carrier route shown by the test and update carrier settings when offered.
Verify before changing anything else
ReversibleReceive two test calls with the screen locked and unlocked.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Correct only the setting or the carrier route that the test shows, and update carrier settings if the carrier offers an update.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do calls go straight to voicemail without ringing?+
A Focus, call forwarding, a blocked number or a signal problem sends them there. Test with a known contact and an unknown caller to see which.
Why do calls go to voicemail?+
Do Not Disturb, Focus, call forwarding or a blocked number can cause it.
Could signal be the cause?+
Yes, weak signal can send calls to voicemail.