Quick Answer
There are a few common reasons why your iPhone may not ring for incoming WhatsApp calls:
- Your ringer is switched off – Check that the ringer toggle on the side of your iPhone is switched on.
- Do Not Disturb is enabled – This mutes all calls and notifications when activated. Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb to check if it is on.
- Your iPhone is on silent mode – Sliding the volume buttons down puts the iPhone on vibrate/silent. Make sure volume is turned up.
- WhatsApp notifications are silenced – Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Notifications > Sounds to check they are enabled.
- Faulty hardware or software issue – A hardware or software glitch may prevent the ringer from working. Try restarting your iPhone or updating iOS.
If none of those solve it, the issue could be your iPhone model, iOS version, your accessories like headphones, or even your cellular coverage. Read on for more details on troubleshooting this problem.
Do you have your ringer on?
The most obvious reason your iPhone does not ring for WhatsApp calls is that your ringer is switched off. The ringer toggle on the left side of your iPhone controls whether your phone rings or not.
Slide the ringer toggle to the on position so that a bell icon is displayed. This enables all ringtones, alerts and notification sounds. If it is set to silent mode, flick the switch upwards to turn on normal ringer mode.
With the ringer enabled, your iPhone should play its default ringtone when you get an incoming WhatsApp call. Check it is not muted for all calls and notifications.
Enabling the ringer
Follow these steps to enable the ringer on an iPhone:
- Go to the Home Screen.
- Locate the ringer toggle on the left side of the iPhone. It is above the volume buttons.
- Flick the ringer toggle upwards to enable it. A bell icon will be displayed indicating ringer is on.
- Adjust volume buttons to preferred volume level.
- Test it by making a WhatsApp call from another device to your iPhone.
This will make your iPhone ring for all incoming calls and notification alerts again.
Silent or vibrate modes
If your iPhone ringer is off but it is not completely muted, it may be set to vibrate mode instead.
When the ringer toggle shows just a vibrate icon, your phone will vibrate for incoming calls and messages instead of ringing. Slide the ringer toggle upwards to switch out of vibrate only mode.
Your iPhone could also be in completely silent mode with the ringer and vibration disabled. This is activated by pressing the Volume down button on the side until it shows the muted speaker icon.
Flick the ringer toggle on and check the volume is turned up again. Now WhatsApp calls should make your iPhone ring normally.
Is Do Not Disturb enabled?
The Do Not Disturb feature on iPhone allows you to mute all calls, alerts and notification sounds temporarily. This is useful when you are sleeping or need to avoid interruptions.
However, it could also be the reason your WhatsApp calls are not ringing if you have forgotten that Do Not Disturb is switched on.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Do Not Disturb. Check if it is manually enabled or scheduled to be on during certain hours.
Turn off Do Not Disturb and your iPhone ringer will work as normal. Remember to turn it on again if you require uninterrupted time.
You can also allow calls from favorites or repeated calls to ring when Do Not Disturb is activated in the Settings. This way important WhatsApp calls will ring but other notifications will remain muted.
Disabling Do Not Disturb
Follow these steps to turn off Do Not Disturb on an iPhone:
- Open Settings > Do Not Disturb.
- Toggle off the Manual switch.
- Check Scheduled and set the time range to None.
- Disable Silence Always under Silence section.
- Tap Done to save changes.
WhatsApp calls and your iPhone ringer should now work normally with Do Not Disturb disabled. Customize it as needed for your preferences.
Are WhatsApp sounds and notifications disabled?
While your iPhone ringer may be generally enabled, the notifications for WhatsApp itself could be muted. This would prevent any WhatsApp calls from ringing your phone.
Open WhatsApp and go to the app’s Settings > Notifications > Sounds. Check that all the toggle switches are enabled under Incoming Calls.
If they were disabled, turn on the notification sounds for WhatsApp calls. Now when you get an incoming WhatsApp call, your iPhone will ring or vibrate based on your ringer settings.
You can also customize the notification sounds and vibrate options in this section of WhatsApp Settings. This lets you set a unique ringtone for WhatsApp calls to differentiate them from regular calls.
Enabling WhatsApp notifications
Here are the steps to check that WhatsApp notifications are turned on:
- Launch WhatsApp.
- Tap Settings (gear icon) > Notifications > Sounds.
- Under Incoming Calls, check toggles are on for:
- Ringtone
- Vibrate
- Repeat Alerts
With notifications enabled, your iPhone will ring, vibrate or repeat alert you about incoming WhatsApp calls.
Could this be a software bug or glitch?
If your iPhone ringer, Do Not Disturb and WhatsApp notification settings all seem configured correctly, the issue may be due to a minor software bug or glitch.
Some iOS or WhatsApp version updates have been known to cause issues with iPhone ringtones and call notifications. Updating to the latest iOS and WhatsApp versions can often resolve such bugs.
You can also try restarting your iPhone to clear any minor glitches:
- Hold down the Side button and Volume up/down button together.
- Slide to turn off your iPhone when the power off slider appears.
- After the phone is powered down, hold the Side button again to turn it back on.
- Test if WhatsApp calls now ring properly after the restart.
A normal restart clears temporary glitches and should make WhatsApp calls ring your iPhone again. Update iOS via Settings if it still does not work.
Updating iOS and WhatsApp
To ensure no software bugs are affecting your ringer, update to the latest iOS and WhatsApp version:
- Check for iOS update in Settings > General > Software Update. Install if available.
- Open App Store and check for WhatsApp update. Update if newer version is available.
- Restart iPhone after updates are installed.
- Test WhatsApp calls again. Ringer should now work normally.
Keeping your iPhone and apps updated prevents most software-related issues like this.
Could it be a hardware defect or damage?
Very rarely, a hardware fault or physical damage preventing the ringer from working normally.
If your iPhone has suffered water damage or physical impact, components like the earpiece speaker could be damaged. This may prevent the ringer from sounding even though it shows as on in software.
Try making calls on speaker mode to isolate if it is a hardware speaker defect. You can also attempt phone calls using wired headphones with microphone to check if the internal components are damaged.
If calls still don’t ring out loud on speaker mode or wired headsets, it likely indicates a hardware fault needs repaired. Book an appointment at an Apple store or authorized service center.
Inspecting for physical damage
Check for any signs of external damage on your iPhone that could affect the ringer:
- Cracked or damaged screen/glass
- Dents, cracks or holes in the iPhone chassis
- Any exposure to water or other liquids
- Debris stuck in headphone jack/charging port
- Unresponsive, cracked or damaged buttons
Severe damage that exposes internal components can cause various issues like a malfunctioning ringer. Get your iPhone serviced promptly if physical damage is visible.
Does your iPhone model or iOS version affect it?
The iPhone model and current iOS version you are using could also factor into issues with WhatsApp call ringing.
WhatsApp provides support and full functionality on iPhone models with iOS 10 and above. On older iPhone models with earlier iOS versions, certain features like calling may not work properly.
Check you are running iOS 10 or later. Updating to the latest iOS optimized for your iPhone model provides the best app experience and minimizes bugs.
On very old iPhone models like the iPhone 5s or earlier, limited operating memory can also cause performance issues that affect apps and call stability. Upgrading your iPhone may be necessary for smooth WhatsApp calling.
Checking your iPhone model and iOS version
Follow these steps to confirm your iPhone specifications:
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Note down your Model Name e.g. iPhone XR, 11 Pro.
- See the number under Software Version e.g. iOS 15.2.
- Visit Apple Support online and check the latest iOS version for your model.
- Update iOS if your phone is behind by 2 or more versions.
Using an iPhone model with at least 2GB RAM and on the latest iOS optimized for it will provide the best results for WhatsApp calling functionality.
Could headphones or connected devices affect ringing?
Some Bluetooth headphones and audio devices can override or interfere with your iPhone’s default ringing behavior.
For example, certain headphones will pause your music and play their own ringing tone when you get a call. Others can mute the iPhone speaker even if ringtone is enabled.
Try removing any connected or wireless headphones and audio devices, and test WhatsApp calling directly on the iPhone speaker.
If WhatsApp calls now ring normally, then you need to adjust settings or disable call behavior takeover on the connected accessories. Refer to the device manufacturer’s instructions for this.
Troubleshooting wireless headphones
Follow these tips if you suspect your Bluetooth headphones or wireless earphones are preventing WhatsApp ringtones:
- Disconnect headphones from iPhone Bluetooth settings.
- Disable headphone access to calls in iPhone Bluetooth settings.
- Switch off call handling on headphones if option is available.
- Update headphone/earphone firmware to latest.
- Use headphones in passive mode without battery power.
Configure your wireless audio devices to not interfere with your iPhone’s built-in call management and ringing.
Do you have cellular reception and internet connection?
Your iPhone ringer relying on cellular reception and internet connectivity to receive WhatsApp calls properly.
Weak cellular signal in the area you are in can affect call connectivity and cause delays in ringing. This could make it seem like your phone is not ringing at all on WhatsApp calls.
Check that you have at least 2-3 bars of cellular reception in the status bar at the top. If it shows only 1 bar or no service, move to an area with better signal coverage.
Similarly, an internet connection is required for the WhatsApp call to be delivered to your phone. On iPhone, enable Wi-Fi or cellular data then test if WhatsApp calls ring properly with stable internet access.
Restarting your phone can also refresh the cellular connection and help with any temporary service drops affecting call functionality.
Ensuring good cellular and internet signal
Follow these tips to maintain the necessary cellular reception and internet access:
- Move closer to windows or step outside to access better cellular signal.
- Enable Wi-Fi calling in Settings if the option is available.
- Try manually selecting a cellular network instead of automatic.
- Check for any service alerts or outages from your cell provider.
- Toggle Airplane mode on/off to force phone to reacquire signal.
Stable cellular service and internet means your iPhone can receive WhatsApp calls reliably and ring on time.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calls not ringing your iPhone properly can be annoying. But in most cases it is caused by simple settings like ringer mute, Do Not Disturb or volume being set too low.
Check your iPhone ringer, WhatsApp notification and volume settings first. Disconnect any wired/wireless headphones or accessories affecting ringing.
Confirm your iPhone model, iOS version and cellular/Wi-Fi connection are adequate rather than outdated.
A phone restart clears any minor glitches. Update iOS and WhatsApp to eliminate software bugs.
Rarely, it may be due to hardware damage needing repair. If nothing else works, have your iPhone serviced by an authorized technician to identify any internal faults with the speaker or earpiece.
Following these troubleshooting steps should help restore normal ringing on WhatsApp call reception. You can enjoy seamless WhatsApp calling experience on your iPhone again.