8 Methods to Fix WhatsApp Call Not Ringing When iPhone Is Locked

If WhatsApp calls are not ringing when your iPhone is locked, you're not alone. Many iPhone users have reported missing WhatsApp calls because notifications fail to appear on the lock screen or the phone doesn't ring at all until the app is opened manually.

This issue can be caused by incorrect notification settings, Focus mode, background app restrictions, network issues, or temporary WhatsApp glitches. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to fix it. In this guide, we'll walk you through 8 proven methods to fix WhatsApp calls not ringing when your iPhone is locked.

Why Are WhatsApp Calls Not Ringing on iPhone?

If WhatsApp calls are not ringing when your iPhone is locked, the issue is usually related to notification settings, network connectivity, or iPhone system restrictions. Below are some of the most common causes:

• 01 Your iPhone is in Silent Mode.
• 02 Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb is enabled.
• 03 WhatsApp notification permissions are disabled.
• 04 Poor or unstable network connection is preventing incoming calls.
• 05 Low Power Mode is restricting background app activity.
• 06 Background App Refresh is turned off for WhatsApp.
• 07 Screen Time restrictions are blocking notifications or app activity.
• 08 Temporary iOS or WhatsApp glitches are causing notification delays.

8 Best Ways to Fix the WhatsApp Calls Not Ringing iPhone Issue

Now that you know the possible causes behind the issue, it's time to apply the right fixes. From checking notification settings to disabling Focus Mode and refreshing network settings, the following methods can help restore WhatsApp call notifications on your iPhone. Try these solutions one by one until WhatsApp calls start ringing normally again.

Fix 1: Make Sure the Silent Mode Is Disabled

Make sure your iPhone is not switched to Silent Mode. If your iPhone is in Silent Mode, your phone and WhatsApp calls will not ring. To understand how to disable or check iPhone's Silent Mode, follow the steps below:

For iPhones with a Ring/Silent switch:

• Step 1. Check the physical switch located on the top left side of your device.
• Step 2. If you can see an orange strip, flip the switch towards the screen to restore the ringer.
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For iPhones with an Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro & newer):

• Step 1. Press and hold the Action Button located above the volume controls.
• Step 2. Watch the Dynamic Island at the top of your screen to confirm the crossed-out bell icon disappears.
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Using the Control Center:

• Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
• Step 2. Tap the bell icon to ensure it is not highlighted and crossed out, indicating Ring Mode is active.
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Fix 2: Disable Screen Time Restriction

Screen Time effectively prevents excessive iPhone usage by restricting users' access to specified apps. However, in many cases, people forget to disable the Screen Time Restrictions, which eventually messes with their app notifications. If you've turned on the Screen Time Restriction on your iPhone, turning it off for your WhatsApp might solve the WhatsApp calls not ringing iPhone issue.

To disable the Screen Time Restriction for WhatsApp, follow the steps below:

• Step 1. Select Screen Time from the iPhone's Settings menu.
• Step 2. In the Screen Time menu, tap on App Limits.
• Step 3. Find WhatsApp and tap on it. After that, turn the App Limit switch off.
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Fix 3: Make Sure Focus Mode Is Off

If your WhatsApp calls are still not ringing on a locked screen, you need to check your Focus settings. Apple expanded Do Not Disturb into a broader feature called Focus, meaning modes like Work, Sleep, or Personal can also silence your incoming calls. You may have accidentally activated one of these modes from the Control Center.

To verify and turn off any active Focus mode, follow the steps below:

• Step 1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to access the Control Center.
• Step 2. Look for the Focus toggle, which might display as "Do Not Disturb" (moon icon), "Sleep" (bed icon), or "Work" (briefcase icon) depending on what is active.
• Step 3. If the icon and its background are highlighted, tap the icon to disable the active Focus mode and restore your notifications quickly.
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Fix 4: Turn Off Low Power Mode

Although enabling Low Power Mode on your iPhone saves the battery, it can potentially end up causing the WhatsApp calls not ringing when iPhone is locked because WhatsApp calls consume more battery. So, if you've enabled the low power mode on your iPhone, it's time to turn it off by following these steps:

• Step 1. Navigate to Battery in your iPhone's Settings and tap on it.
• Step 2. Then tap the Power Mode option, and turn the switch next to Low Power Mode off.
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Fix 5: Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve many issues, including WhatsApp calls not ringing when phone is locked. The steps of restarting your iPhone are different, based on your device models. You can follow the instructions here.

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, and later:

• Step 1. Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the power off slider appears.
• Step 2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
• Step 3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, and SE (2nd generation):

• Step 1. Press and hold the Side button until the power off slider appears.
• Step 2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
• Step 3. After it turns off, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 5, SE (1st generation), and earlier:

• Step 1. Press and hold the Top button until the power off slider appears.
• Step 2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
• Step 3. After it turns off, press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 6: Update WhatsApp

If there is a bug in your WhatsApp application, it can cause the WhatsApp calls not ringing iPhone issue. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that you're using the latest version of WhatsApp on your device. To update it, please follow the simple steps below.

• Step 1. Go to App Store app and enter WhatsApp in the search bar to find the app.
• Step 2. Tap the UPDATE next to it to download and install the latest updates.
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Fix 7: Use iOS System Recovery Tool to Fix WhatsApp Call Not Ringing When iPhone Locked

If WhatsApp calls still aren't ringing when your iPhone is locked, the issue may be related to underlying iOS system glitches. In this case, using a professional iOS system recovery tool can help. One reliable option is TunesKit iOS System Recovery, which is designed to fix common iOS problems without data loss. The tool can repair issues such as notifications not working, iPhone frozen on lock screen, update errors, and app malfunctions that may affect WhatsApp call alerts.

It offers both Standard Repair and Deep Repair modes, allowing users to fix minor and serious iOS issues efficiently. If basic fixes haven't worked, using an iOS repair tool may help restore WhatsApp calling notifications back to normal.

To understand how to fix the WhatsApp calls not ringing iPhone issue via TunesKit iOS System Recovery, follow the steps:

Step 1. First and foremost, you need to download and install the TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your PC and launch the tool. Connect your iOS device to your PC using a USB cable and click on iOS System Repair in the interface, and click the Start button.

Step 2. Now, click on Standard Repair to fix common iOS issues without data loss.

Step 3. It's time to download the firmware package but first, verify your iPhone info on the screen. After verifying, click on Download to start the downloading.

Step 4. Once the required firmware package is successfully downloaded, you need to click the Start Standard Repair button to start repairing WhatsApp calls not ringing when iPhone is locked.

Fix 8: Reset Network Settings

Still have the WhatsApp calls not ringing when iPhone locked issue? There might be a problem with your iPhone's network settings. You need to reset them to get rid of this issue. Resetting network settings will not wipe your iPhone data.

To understand how to reset network settings on your iPhone, follow the steps below:

• Step 1. Go to General in your iPhone's Settings.
• Step 2. Tap the Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset options.
• Step 3. Now, tap on Reset Network Settings. A confirmation pop-up will appear; choose Reset Network Settings again to proceed. After the reset, your iPhone will restart. Then you can check whether the WhatsApp call issue is resolved.
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Extra Tip: Back up WhatsApp to Avoid Data Loss When It Can't Work

If WhatsApp calls are not working properly on your iPhone, it's a good idea to back up your WhatsApp data first to avoid unexpected data loss during troubleshooting.

TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer can help you back up WhatsApp chats, photos, videos, and attachments from your iPhone to a computer in just a few clicks. The tool also allows you to restore backup files whenever needed.

Step 1. Install and launch TunesKit WhatsApp Transfer on your computer, then connect your iPhone via USB.

Step 2. Choose the Backup feature and click Start Backup to save your WhatsApp data securely.

The Bottom Line

Since the main feature of WhatsApp is allowing people to connect with their loved ones through calls and text, WhatsApp calls not ringing when iPhone is locked can be annoying for users. However, you can easily fix this issue by using the methods in this article. Moreover, if you need a one-stop solution to fix all iOS-related issues, TunesKit iOS System Recovery is your best bet!