iPhone 16 Dropping Calls? Here’s What You Can Do
If your iPhone 16—whether it’s the base model, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, or 16 Pro Max—is frequently dropping calls, you’re not alone. A growing number of users have reported similar issues in Apple’s Support Community (1) (also Reddit), describing random call failures even when connected to strong cellular or Wi-Fi signals. Many say the issue began after updating to iOS 18.
Despite replacing SIM cards, changing carriers, resetting settings, or even swapping for a new device, the problem often persists. And while Apple has not officially acknowledged a widespread bug, the volume and consistency of user feedback suggest that something is off—potentially related to software or how the phone transitions between networks.
Here’s a closer look at what users are saying and which fixes are actually helping.
See this if your iPhone 16 is having issues with Siri.
What Users Are Reporting
From the forums, it’s clear that the problem isn’t isolated to one model. Reports span across:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Common symptoms include:
- Calls dropping mid-conversation despite 3 or more signal bars
- Call failures when moving between Wi-Fi and cellular networks
- Persistent issues even after switching to LTE-only mode or replacing SIMs
- Other devices—such as older iPhones or Android phones—working fine on the same network
One user shared: “We bought three iPhone 16 Pros. All of them drop calls in the house. Full bars. Wi-Fi connected. Still dropping.” Another reported that even after receiving a free extender from their carrier and using LTE-only mode, calls still occasionally dropped.
6 Fixes That Have Helped Some iPhone 16 Users
There’s no official fix yet, but here are the most commonly shared solutions that have helped users restore some stability.
1. Turn Off “5G Auto”
Many users have found that forcing the phone to stay on a specific network (5G On or LTE) instead of “5G Auto” helped prevent dropped calls during transitions.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data
- Select either 5G On or LTE
Some users reported success even after switching away from 5G Auto temporarily and then returning to it.
2. Turn Off VPN (If Enabled)
VPN connections, especially when Wi-Fi Calling is on, appear to contribute to call drops for many users. Apple Support has confirmed these two features can conflict.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > VPN and turn it off.
- Or disable VPN from your VPN app.
If you do not have VPN, you will not see this setting.
3. Disable Wi-Fi Calling (or Request an Extender)
If your Wi-Fi signal fluctuates, Wi-Fi Calling may do more harm than good. Several users said disabling this feature helped—though others said they needed it due to poor cellular reception.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling and turn it off.
If you rely on Wi-Fi Calling, contact your carrier and request a signal booster. Verizon and others have reportedly provided these at no charge.
4. Reset Network Settings
Resetting your network configuration can clear out old or corrupted settings that may be interfering with call handling.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings (This will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings.)
5. Review Other iOS Settings
Some call drop issues may be influenced by lesser-known iOS features:
- Airplane Mode: Toggle on, wait 10–15 seconds, then turn off.
- Siri Call Hang-Up: Go to Settings > Siri & Search or Siri > Call Hang-Up and disable it.
- Auto Select Speaker: Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Audio and turn this off.
- Silence Unknown Callers: If this is on, calls from non-contacts may not go through (Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers).
6. Update iOS and Carrier Settings
Sometimes, a carrier settings update or minor iOS release can contain critical bug fixes.
To check for carrier updates:
- Go to Settings > General > About and wait to see if a prompt appears, as you can see below. If there is no update, you will not see any prompt.
- Also ensure your device is running the latest version of iOS 18.
Still Having Trouble?
If none of the above resolves your issue, try these additional steps:
- Contact your carrier: Ask them to check your account, nearby tower conditions, or open a support ticket.
- Visit an Apple Store: Request a hardware diagnostic. Some users were told their antenna might be defective.
- Submit feedback to Apple: Visit apple.com/feedback and describe your issue to help increase visibility.
- Ask for a replacement: If your phone is under warranty, you may be eligible for an exchange.
Sources:
