Why can't I hear callers, or why isn't my phone ringing?
Direct Answer
Check these 3 common culprits: 1) The silent switch on the side of your phone (orange means silent), 2) Focus/Do Not Disturb mode (the crescent moon icon), or 3) Your phone is connected to your car or Bluetooth hearing aids in another room.
âš¡ 10-Second Quick Answer
Follow the fast 1-2 button instructions below. No extra setup required.
How to Do It in 1 or 2 Taps
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1
Check the Ring/Silent switch on the left side
Look at the top-left edge of your iPhone. If you see a tiny orange line, your phone is muted. Push the switch up toward the screen until the orange stripe disappears.
👀 Left edge of iPhone → Flip switch up (orange hidden = loud ring).
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2
Turn off "Do Not Disturb" or Focus mode
Swipe down from the very top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. If you see a purple or white box with a crescent moon 🌙 that says "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus," tap it once to turn it off.
👀 Top-right swipe → Tap the crescent moon 🌙 tile to turn off.
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3
Turn up the Ringtone volume in Settings
Open the Settings app (grey gears icon) → Tap "Sounds & Haptics" → Drag the "Ringtone and Alerts" slider bar all the way to the right for maximum loudness.
👀 Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Drag slider to maximum right.
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4
Check if Bluetooth or your car took over the sound
If your phone is connected to your car in the garage, a wireless headset, or hearing aids across the room, rings will play there instead. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and toggle Bluetooth off temporarily to test your speakers.
👀 Settings → Bluetooth → Disconnect connected speakers or car.
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5
Turn up in-call voice volume while on the phone
While speaking on a live phone call, press the top volume button on the upper left side of your phone repeatedly until the on-screen speaker bar is full.
👀 Press top side button during a call to raise caller ear volume.
Still Not Working? 2 Quick Things to Check
I see a tiny orange stripe on the switch on the side of my iPhone
Flip that little switch up towards the front screen. When the orange stripe is hidden, your phone is unmuted and will ring loudly.
There is a little crescent moon 🌙 symbol at the top of my screen
This means "Do Not Disturb" is blocking calls. Swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the purple/white moon button once to turn it off.
Callers say they hear me, but their voice is muffled or quiet in my ear
Check the tiny speaker slit at the very top of your phone screen. Wipe it gently with a dry, clean microfiber cloth or soft toothbrush to clear any pocket lint.
My hearing aids or Bluetooth headphones are connected
Open Settings → Bluetooth and tap the "i" next to your device to disconnect, or turn Bluetooth off to route calls back to the phone's built-in speaker.
Good to Know
- The volume buttons on the side of your phone control music/video volume when no one is calling, but they control ring volume in Settings → Sounds & Haptics.
- You can also ask Siri: "Hey Siri, set volume to 100 percent" to instantly boost your speaker volume.
- If unknown numbers never ring, go to Settings → Phone → and make sure "Silence Unknown Callers" is turned OFF.