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Can't receive calls, via cellular or wifi - missing important calls - iPhone


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I’ve been with ID for years and occasionally update my monthly plan.

Since last autumn wifi calling at home doesn’t appear to work at all for incoming calls and after disabling that almost no calls appear to get through (poor cell reception area usually 1 bar 4 or 5G, a few houses either way and there’s a better 1-2 bar 5G signal).

Although the iPhone doesn’t ring to inform of an incoming call, the missed call notification pops up seconds later.

This has now become serious as no calls from the NHS can get through, recently they redialled 16 times in 90 seconds to no avail. It’s a booking service that can only be delivered over the phone, frustratingly.

Yesterday I was standing in a park with good 5G service with a friend and they could not get through receiving a “user not available”.

I’ve followed the advice on the forum with regard to changes in Settings > Mobile Services save for the reference to APN which isn’t present in iOS 18?

Can you help?

Best answer by andewhite

XMC10 wrote:

I’ll try ordering one as you suggested.

 

QUICK THOUGHT - could I replace the SIM with an eSIM? Would avoid any physical issues in future?

Yes, you can replace a physical iD SIM with an iD eSIM. 

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andewhite
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  • April 10, 2025

You might have a damaged / faulty iD SIM in your iPhone, ​@XMC10

This community article might help. 


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  • April 10, 2025

Hi thanks for the reply.

I doubt it’s actually damaged as ISTR for the last couple of contract changes ID have done it over the air (i.e. no physical SIM change) and this SIM hasn’t been ejected even once from receipt a couple of years ago until today when I “cleaned” it. There’s always a case on the iPhone.

I’ve had the iPhone checked out by Apple and they said “all OK the issue is with the Telco”. 

Coincidentally, I didn’t mention this above as I didn’t think it relevant, but I now get less 5G when out and about than 2 years ago. Whether this is the telcos reducing service levels or a function of whatever is going on with the iPhone I’ve no idea. Not no 5G but mostly 4G in places where there was previously a good 5G service. Odd.


andewhite
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Does the iD SIM behave the same way in a different phone, ​@XMC10


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  • April 10, 2025

Unfortunately I don’t have access to another phone to test.


andewhite
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  • April 10, 2025

A replacement iD SIM might fix these issues, ​@XMC10


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  • April 10, 2025

I’ll try ordering one as you suggested.

 

QUICK THOUGHT - could I replace the SIM with an eSIM? Would avoid any physical issues in future?


andewhite
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Did the problems start when you upgraded to using iOS 18 on your iPhone, ​@XMC10

Wasn’t iOS 18 released last autumn. 


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  • April 10, 2025

No the problems existed before the launch of ‘18.

Coincidentally ‘18 seems to have delivered better battery life which is unusual as operating systems become more complex.


andewhite
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  • April 10, 2025
XMC10 wrote:

I’ll try ordering one as you suggested.

 

QUICK THOUGHT - could I replace the SIM with an eSIM? Would avoid any physical issues in future?

Yes, you can replace a physical iD SIM with an iD eSIM. 


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  • April 10, 2025

eSIM received and activated - now to wait on an incoming call…

Thanks for your input.


Tyler
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  • April 10, 2025

Hey there ​@XMC10, we’re sorry to hear that.

 

As kindly advised by ​@andewhite, I’d recommend trying a replacement SIM card first, and see if that helps.

 

 

If not, please do let us know so we can discuss and investigate further.

 

Thanks,

Tyler


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  • April 10, 2025

Thanks ​@Tyler I’ve switched to an eSIM and will see how that works out for now.


Tyler
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  • April 12, 2025

No problem at all ​@XMC10, keep us updated if needed.

 

Thanks,

Tyler


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  • April 22, 2025
Tyler wrote:

No problem at all ​@XMC10, keep us updated if needed.

 

Thanks,

Tyler

Hey Tyler, just received my first incoming calls sine the switch to an eSIM and both (from different parties) failed that was with wifi calling enabled. 

 

So in essence no change from the original post. Ideas?


Tyler
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  • April 22, 2025

Hey there ​@XMC10, sorry to hear that.

 

What iPhone do you have just to clarify?

 

Is the issue still only with calls?

 

Thanks,

Tyler


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  • April 22, 2025

Yes I don’t appear to have any other wifi issues.  
 

iPhone 13 fully checked and cleared by Apple just before the original post.


Tom
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  • April 23, 2025

Hi ​@XMC10 

 

Are you able to turn off Wi-Fi calling and trying? Or possible forcing Wi-Fi calling by switching flight mode on with Wi-Fi?

 

Does the issue with not receiving calls happen everywhere or just in a certain location(s)?

 

Tom


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  • April 23, 2025

As I detailed above it happens in multiple locations, mostly at home but a week ago I gave a friend my number standing in a park with a 2 bar signal and when he called he received no ring tone and a report that I was unavailable while standing there. 30 seconds later I got the missed call message.

 

At home I’ve tried it both with and without wifi calling, makes no difference (cell signal usually 1 bar at home hence the need for wifi calling to work). 

 

No issues using FaceTime but not everyone has an iPhone or if they do they often forget and use cellular...


Siân
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  • April 24, 2025

We have sent you a message now ​@XMC10  so we can look into this further with you. 

We look forward to your reply.