User profile for user: BijuM
BijuM Author
User level: Level 1
22 points

Why does the iPhone 16 Pro keep saying "Call failed"?

Hello all,


I'm an iPad user and recently purchased an iPhone 16 Pro. Initially, everything worked perfectly—I had no issues at all. But lately, I've been facing a frustrating problem that's driving me crazy.


Whenever I try to make a call, the phone just says "Call Failed." I use two phones on the same network, and the other one works just fine. I've attached pictures of the signal strength on both phones taken from the same location.


Here’s the issue: once this problem starts, I can’t make or receive any calls. Incoming calls don’t reach me either. I’ve ended up checking every 30 minutes by calling my iPhone from another phone—just to see if it’s working. Obviously, this is not sustainable or practical.


Before I get too aggravated and do something drastic—like returning the phone and switching to something else—I want to check if there’s anything I can do to fix this.


Here’s what I’ve tried so far:


  • Restarting the phone (fixes the issue temporarily)


  • Making calls through WhatsApp (works even when normal calls fail)


  • Toggling Airplane Mode (does not fix the issue)


  • Checked Focus Mode (not causing the issue)


  • Moved to different areas (once the issue starts, location doesn’t help)


  • Updated to iOS 18.3.2 (pretty sure this is the version; I can share a screenshot)


  • Tried the Apple Diagnostics app (gets stuck on “Cellular Service” phase)


  • Reset network settings (problem still persists)


Honestly, I no longer have the time or energy to fiddle around with this like I used to. Work is already stressful enough—the last thing I need is the added anxiety of wondering whether my phone is even working. 😞


I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions you might have.


Thanks in advance.



[Re-Titled By Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Mar 31, 2025 1:59 AM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
426,018 points

Mar 31, 2025 4:00 AM in response to BijuM

The "Call Failed" issue typically applies to outgoing calls because it occurs when your phone attempts to establish a connection to the network and initiate a call. Incoming calls, on the other hand, are reliant on the network's ability to route the call to your phone, which is a different process.


It seems your iPhone is experiencing call connectivity problems, causing calls to abruptly end with "Call Back" or "Cancel" options on the screen, refer to the pics below. This happens when a call is failed which you forgot to mention in your post.




If you are experiencing intermittent silence or drop or the call itself is disconnected during voice calls on your iPhone, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue:


  1. Poor signal strength can cause dropouts or silence during a call. Try moving to an area with better reception or switching to a different network if possible.
  2. Restart your iPhone --> Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
  3. Force Restart your iPhone --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support)
  4. This may help too. General Troubleshooting iPhone Issues: St… - Apple Community
  5. Check if your audio is not connected to external Bluetooth speakers.
  6. Few other reasons why your device keeps Muting / Dropping / Disconnecting Calls or encountering Call Failed.
    1. Your device's cellular signal Is weak.
    2. It's Raining (Cats & Dogs) in your area or in the area where your device is hooked.
    3. The Cell Tower is Overloaded / Heavy Traffic (Telecommunication)
    4. You've misunderstood your signal strength
    5. You are moving and the signal weakens while changing from one tower to another
  7. Other culprits may include the following:
    1. Bad Weather: Precipitation can leak into phone cable lines and cause disruptions. Lightening, even at a distance, can disrupt the connection.
    2. Wireless interference: Power lines, radio, or television. transmitters, transformers, and other electronic devices may cause noise on the phone line. --> Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless ...
    3. DSL services: The high-frequency signals coming from DSL (digital subscriber line) devices sharing the phone line can create problems for other technology connected to the line.
  8. Try to turn on Airplane mode, wait for 10-15 secs, and turn off aeroplane mode.
  9. Check the health of your device's Battery. Change if below 80%
  10. Take the SIM out and Put it back again, Change your SIM, if it is damaged
  11. Time to contact your Carrier / Change if required




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User profile for user: BijuM
BijuM Author
User level: Level 1
22 points

Mar 31, 2025 5:39 AM in response to SravanKrA

I’m not sure I understand. The call failed screen I see is what I get sometimes when I make a call. No matter how many times I call once I get this error. Or no matter where I go with my phone once it’s in this state it will result in “call failed”. When it is in the above state . It will not receive calls. No matter which operator I have used. The android screen shows how much range I have on a phone with a fraction of the value of my phone I use.


There are absolutely no issues when my phone is not in this state. I can hear loud and clear, no call drops etc. I do not know what triggers this but whatever it is It puts the phone in a state where any number I call from anywhere results in call failed and at the same time I can’t receive calls.


Also I’m pretty sure I included the screenshot indicating the call failed as well as mention that it says call failed in the second paragraph. There is no other reason I can find that would explain why one phone works while this one doesn’t. Given every other circumstance is same. The location, the network , the weather, etc.


Not to mention I’ve been using this phone for 5 months now . Why would I feel this way just fr the past two weeks. Either way I appreciate your assistance.

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Why does the iPhone 16 Pro keep saying "Call failed"?

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