If your iPhone’s voicemail isn’t working, you could miss out on some important messages. With so many spam calls going out these days, the only way to know if an important call comes through without answering it is to send it to voicemail.

If you aren’t getting voicemails on your iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Phone app doesn’t seem to be working properly, there are a few fixes you can try. Hopefully, one of these fixes will get your iPhone’s voicemail working again, and you won’t miss any more messages in the future.

1. Empty Your Voicemail Box

Sometimes, if your Voicemail box gets too full you’ll stop receiving voicemails. While most modern iPhones have plenty of space, voicemail storage is limited and can fill up quickly, especially if you get a lot of spam calls.

To delete previous voicemails and make more space, head to the Phone app and tap Voicemail (Classic layout), or tap the Filter button, then tap Voicemails (Unified layout). Once here, tap Edit in the top right-hand corner and select the voicemails you want to delete.

Once selected, tap Delete in the bottom right-hand corner. Be sure to back up your voicemails if you might need them in the future. This will free up space, and you should be able to receive voicemails again if this was the issue.

If you haven’t set up voicemail yet, that could also be your problem. So, set up voicemail on your iPhone to avoid any more missed messages. The first time you tap Voicemail, you’re asked to create a voicemail password and record your voicemail greeting.

2. Check for a Carrier Settings Update

Not many people know this, but your carrier settings sometimes need updating. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it means that updating it will fix many carrier problems. This includes not getting voicemails on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Thankfully, updating your carrier settings is easy. Head to Settings > General > About to view your carrier settings. Wait for a few seconds; if your carrier requests an update, you’ll get a pop-up to install a carrier settings update.

It’s important to note that you should be careful with your carrier settings. This page contains information that should be kept private to avoid it getting into the wrong hands. Only share this information with your carrier or Apple.

3. Turn Cellular Service Off and On Again

Sometimes, a quick reset of your cellular service can fix some voicemail issues. This is especially true if your voicemails aren’t downloading fast enough. One good indicator of this is getting a voicemail notification hours after you received a missed call from the same number. To resolve this issue, turn your cellular service off and on again.

You can do this by turning your phone off and on again, or you can put your phone in and out of airplane mode. Once you do this, check to see if your voicemail is working again by calling your phone from another device. If you received a voicemail, then this solved the problem.

Additionally, we’d like to point out that connecting to Wi-Fi can also sometimes help you resolve this problem.

4. Make Sure Cellular Data Is On

Cellular data is necessary for receiving voicemails in most cases. After all, voicemail is a carrier feature, and connecting to data ensures that your voicemails get delivered. Cellular data is also necessary for the Visual Voicemail feature to work. This is where you can read a voicemail without listening to it.

If your voicemail isn’t working and you don’t have data turned on, enabling it could resolve the issue. Head to Settings > Cellular and tap Cellular Data to turn it on. If you’re on a limited data plan, there are options to reduce your iPhone’s data usage and still receive voicemails.

5. Enable Wi-Fi Calling

If you live in an area with a poor cellular connection, chances are your voicemails are taking a long time to download to your device. A poor connection can also lead to getting missed call notifications without your phone ringing.

If this happens to you, you can resolve this by enabling Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone 18 Pro Max. This gives you a better connection and helps voicemails download quicker. It also helps you get better audio quality and reduces dropped calls.

To enable Wi-Fi calling, head to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling. Once here, tap Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone to turn it on. This will enable Wi-Fi calling whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi. It costs nothing, so it’s worth having it turned on 24/7.

6. Make Sure Call Forwarding Is Off

If you have Call Forwarding enabled, it means your calls are being directed to a different number. While disabled by default, sometimes it can accidentally get enabled if you’re playing around with the settings. If it’s enabled, this is why you aren’t receiving voicemails.

To disable it, head to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off. Not all carriers have Call Forwarding enabled. So, if you don’t see it in your iPhone settings, it means you don’t have it, or your carrier has disabled it.

This might be your issue if your iPhone is issued by your workplace, as many workplaces will set up Call Forwarding.

7. Reset Network Settings

If your iPhone’s voicemail still isn’t working after the previous fixes, there is a possibility that resetting the network settings will help. This also helps if you’re having other issues with your network, like getting missed calls without your phone ringing or issues with mobile data.

To reset the network settings, head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Resetting your Network Settings won’t erase any content from your device.

8. Make Sure Your iPhone Is Updated

While the previous solutions usually fix voicemail on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, there are some instances where there might be a problem with the iOS. To fix this, you would just need to update your iPhone. This may be the solution if you’ve avoided updating for a while or have automatic updates off.

To check for an update or confirm that you’re on the latest iOS version available, head to Settings > General > Software Update. If you have an available update, you can download and install it from here.

9. Access Your Voicemail the Old-Fashioned Way

Visual Voicemail in the Phone app is great, but if it’s not working, it’s not the only way to check your voicemail. If you tried the above fixes and your iPhone’s voicemail still doesn’t work, you might need to check your voicemail the old-fashioned way for the time being.

On your iPhone, tap Voicemail, then follow the instructions. On another phone, dial your own mobile number, press * or # (depending on your carrier) to bypass your greeting, then enter your voicemail password. If you don’t know your password, the default is usually the last four digits of your phone number.

If you still can’t gain access or are having voicemail issues here as well, you can contact your carrier and ask them to reset your voicemail password. You can also call them to check for any other issues.

10. Reset Your Password

Try resetting your voicemail password. On your iPhone, you can do this easily. Here is how:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and tap Change Voicemail Password.
2. Enter a new password.
3. Tap Done. You will be asked to reenter the new password. Enter again and then tap Done.

All the Potential Solutions to iPhone 18 Pro Max Voicemail Not Working

Voicemail not working on your iPhone can be a big problem. Not getting a voicemail could mean missing an important work meeting or social event or losing a potential client. Luckily, there are several fixes that you can try that, in most cases, will resolve your issues.

If your issues still aren’t resolved, there are options to check your voicemail without the Visual Voicemail feature through your phone. You can also contact your carrier for further assistance as a last resort measure. Hopefully, you’ll be receiving messages again in no time.

Buying a shiny new iPhone is a great feeling. All those features and cameras to experiment with can be exciting. But in the end it’s still a phone – so you’ll want to ensure that people can reach you on your existing number. Here’s how to easily keep your old number when switching to a new iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Is my phone number connected to my iPhone?

The first thing to understand is that your phone number isn’t actually attached to the iPhone itself, but rather to the SIM card you put inside it. So if you’re not changing your network supplier, it’s just a matter of taking the SIM card out of the old iPhone and placing it in the new one. Your number will automatically follow, as your iPhone reads it off of the SIM card.

Note: iPhone 18 Pro Max models purchased in the United States can only be activated with an eSIM.

Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. If you’re asked to transfer your phone number during setup of your new iPhone, transfer your physical SIM or eSIM using the onscreen prompts.

If you’re moving networks, then it’s a little different, as you’ll see below.

Can I use any iPhone with my SIM card?

If you’re buying a new iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max directly from Apple or another retailer, then it will be unlocked, meaning it can work on any network. The upshot of this is that popping your SIM card inside will instantly turn it into a phone with your existing number.

If you’re buying an iPhone second-hand or a kindly family member is passing it on to you, then you’ll need to check if it’s locked. This is usually the case when people buy iPhones on a contract from a network provider, such as T-Mobile, EE, Verizon or AT&T. These will more often than not be set up (or locked) to that particular network and trying to use it on another one will give you a warning that the new network isn’t supported.

How to keep your old number when moving to a new network provider

When moving from one network provider to another, things get a bit more complicated, but it’s nothing too Herculean.

One thing to bear in mind: you won’t be able to leave your current contract unless you’ve passed the agreed number of months. So, for example, if you’ve signed up to a 24-month contract, leaving any time before that will mean you’re liable to an early exit fee. These can be quite sizeable depending on how long your plan has left to run.

To find out your current status, log on to your network provider’s site and look at your account, or call the company’s customer service number and ask.

You’ll want to contact the new provider you want to use and give the company’s customer service reps the account number of your existing contract. They should then be able to sort things out on your behalf – just remember to tell them that you want to keep your number. You may also need to tell them your PIN code if there is one on your existing account. Don’t forget, you can always pop into one of the company’s stores and ask for help with the process.

So, there you go, the easy way to keep your number when you move to a new device.

Having issues converting voice to text on your iPhone? Or perhaps the dictation icon is nowhere to be found at all? Don’t worry; these are several simple troubleshooting steps you can follow when dictation isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

1. Check if Dictation Is Enabled on Your iPhone

The dictation feature is represented by a microphone icon at the bottom of your iPhone’s on-screen keyboard. While dictation is enabled by default, you’ll need to turn it on in Settings first if you don’t see the microphone icon on the keyboard.

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and toggle on Enable Dictation. Tap Enable Dictation again to confirm. The microphone icon will now appear on the iOS keyboard; tap it to begin dictating.

If dictation is already enabled, but the icon is still missing, try disabling and re-enabling the feature. In the same Keyboard setting page, toggle off Enable Dictation, tap Turn Off Dictation to confirm, then toggle on Enable Dictation again.

2. Add the Dictation Language to Your iPhone Keyboard

Let’s say you typically type in English on your iPhone 18 Pro Max but want to dictate something in Chinese. The iPhone’s dictation feature won’t recognize what you’re saying if Chinese hasn’t been added to the keyboard yet.

In this case, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. From the list, choose Chinese (or your preferred language), select the keyboard input method, and tap Done.

Now, when it comes to dictating your text, remember to switch the dictation language too. Tap the microphone icon, tap EN (which stands for English), and choose your new preferred dictation language.

Dictation isn’t available for all languages. You can check Apple’s site for a list of dictation languages available for the iPhone.

3. Allow Dictation in Your iPhone’s Screen Time Settings

If dictation still isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, it may be due to your iPhone’s Screen Time settings, which can restrict the dictation feature on your device.

To check this, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps & Features. If Dictation is toggled off, toggle it on so your iPhone will let you use the dictation function again.

4. Test Your iPhone’s Microphone

If you have all the correct settings in place, yet dictation isn’t working, the issue may lie with your iPhone’s microphone.

A quick way to test it is to record a short audio clip using your iPhone’s Voice Memos app. If it’s a software issue, there are solutions to fix your iPhone’s microphone quickly.

But if it’s a hardware problem, you’ll likely need to contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

5. General Fixes: Restart, Update, or Reset Your iPhone

If the above solutions fail, as a last attempt, there are a few general fixes you can try. First, restart your iPhone 18 Pro Max, which simply involves turning off your device and turning it on again. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Also, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an iOS update is available for your device. Updates carry performance improvements and bug fixes, so try to update your iPhone to see if it resolves the dictation issue.

Lastly, you can opt to reset all settings on your iPhone. This process returns all your iPhone settings to their default state without deleting your valuable data.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. The process takes some time, so it’s best to attempt it only when you don’t need to use your iPhone for a while.

To sum up, you’ll need to ensure that dictation is enabled in your iPhone’s Settings app first. Then, add the right languages to the keyboard and switch between your preferred languages before dictating.

Also, try restarting, updating, or resetting your iPhone 18 Pro Max. If you suspect the root cause is hardware, it’s best to contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further assistance. In the meantime, you can also try out some iPhone dictation apps on the App Store.

Various factors like camera problems, connection issues, software bugs, and more can prevent FaceTime from working properly. Below, we’ve gathered all the best ways to fix FaceTime when it isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

1. Test the Camera and Microphone on Your Device

If people can’t see or hear you on FaceTime, there might be a problem with the camera or microphones on your device.

On your iPhone, the simplest way to test this is to open the Camera app and record a short video of yourself talking into the front-facing camera.

Play the video back to find out if there are any problems with the audio or video you recorded.

2. Turn On Your Camera and Microphone in FaceTime

If people can’t see or hear you on FaceTime, it could be because you’ve accidentally disabled your camera or microphone for that call.

During a FaceTime call, reveal more controls by tapping the screen. Tap the Camera and Microphone buttons to turn your camera or microphone on and off during the call.

Similarly, if you can’t see or hear the other person on FaceTime but they can see you, it’s best to ask them to confirm if they have video and mic enabled on their end.

3. Test the Internet Connection on Your Device

Unlike regular phone calls, FaceTime needs an internet connection to work. If FaceTime isn’t connecting, load a webpage on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max to test the internet connection.

FaceTime works best over Wi-Fi, but you can also use it with your cellular data on an iPhone. To use FaceTime without Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service) and find FaceTime from the list. Toggle on the FaceTime slider to let it use cellular data.

4. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

Restarting your device is one of the best troubleshooting tips for any app. When you restart your iPhone, you’ll often find that software glitches are resolved in the process. That’s because the operating system is refreshed due to the device powering off and turning back on.

It sounds simple, but don’t overlook this useful step when FaceTime isn’t working. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

5. Find Out if FaceTime Is Down for Everyone

Apple services sometimes experience technical issues, which means FaceTime won’t connect or be available for anyone. When this happens, there’s nothing you can do but wait for Apple to implement a solution.

Take a look at the current status of every Apple service on Apple’s System Status page. If the status indicator next to FaceTime isn’t green, it means the service is experiencing an outage and you’ll need to wait.

6. Check if FaceTime Works in Your Country

Unfortunately, FaceTime isn’t available worldwide—although it certainly comes close. It also isn’t available with every single network provider.

Take a look at Apple’s carrier support page to find out if your carrier supports FaceTime in your country. If FaceTime isn’t available where you live, you might be able to bypass these limitations by using a free VPN app for your iPhone.

7. Make Sure You Use the Right Contact Details

On your iPhone, you can check your own FaceTime contact details by going to Settings > Apps > FaceTime > You can be reached by FaceTime at. Ask the person you’re calling to do the same to make sure you have the right details for them.

Make sure that your time zone is set correctly. In the Settings app, tap General. Then tap Date & Time.

In the Settings app, tap Apps, then tap FaceTime. Turn FaceTime off and then back on.

8. Limit the People in Your Group FaceTime Chat

FaceTime lets you start a group chat with up to 32 people at a time. But having that many people makes it difficult to know who is causing FaceTime problems. Try starting a one-to-one chat, then add extra people one at a time to find out when the problems start.

If FaceTime doesn’t connect for anyone at all, there must be an issue with your device or internet connection. However, if FaceTime isn’t working with one person in particular, the problem probably lies at their end.

When you block a contact in Messages, that contact is also blocked in Mail, Phone, FaceTime, Calendar, and other apps. In the Settings app: Tap Apps, tap FaceTime, then tap Blocked Contacts. Swipe left on the contact information, then tap Unblock.

9. Update the Software on Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

FaceTime might run into issues if you aren’t running the latest software on your iPhone. Update your device to the latest OS release to fix this issue. Also, make sure the person you’re trying to call updates their device as well.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

You may experience some issues with iPhone 18 Pro Max at some point in life. Fortunately, most of these issues are fixable. So, before you consider investing in a new phone, let’s dig deeper into the biggest iPhone issues and see how to fix them.

1. No SIM or Invalid SIM Error

Thanks to Wi-Fi, many people forget the existence of SIM cards. What’s the point of dialing from your phone if you are getting facilities to call and message people without extra charges?

You might not notice that your iPhone has lost the SIM connection until it’s actually needed. Your iPhone might lose its connection due to a glitch in an update or a malfunction in the iOS system. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max use advanced eSIM technology for more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards). An eSIM is a digital version of the physical SIM card inside your iPhone that connects to your cellular carrier.

Before taking it to the nearest Apple Store, try these steps:

1. Confirm that your eSIM is active and ready to use.
2. Activate Airplane Mode on the phone and turn it off. Your iPhone should start catching signals.
3. If enabling/disabling Airplane Mode doesn’t fix your problem, restart your iPhone. It should show mobile signals now.

You may need to update iOS if the above method doesn’t work. You can do so by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.

If you erase your iPhone, or restore it from a backup and accidentally delete your eSIM, your iPhone may lose its cellular connection; to restore it, you’ll need to contact your cellular provider.

2. Problems With Face ID

Face ID is an additional security step that lets you unlock the phone and authorize different transactions on the device.

Users might experience issues because of improper lighting or objects near the face when setting up Face ID on the iPhone. If you cannot unlock your phone, clean the sensors (or the entire screen) with a soft microfiber cloth.

You can also reset your Face ID. To do that, follow these simple instructions:

1. Go to Settings and scroll down until you see Face ID & Passcode.
2. Enter your passcode and toggle any disabled tabs mentioned under the Use Face ID For section.
3. If that doesn’t work, tap Reset Face ID, then Set Up Face ID.

   

4. Adjust Require Attention for Face ID and Attention Aware Features as desired. Enabling them adds an extra security layer and does not unlock the phone unless you are facing the screen.

Usually, it is just a permission-related issue, but you have the option to reset it if needed.

Finally, you can add an alternate appearance. First, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then, tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance.

3. Audio Issues

Some users might come across audio issues. Remember that it’s a temporary problem and super easy to fix within a couple of steps. Press and hold the Action button to turn Silent mode on. Press and hold the Action button again to turn Silent mode off.

Once the ringer is turned ON, here’s what you need to do on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings and tap Sounds & Haptics.
2. Increase the sound by dragging the slider below Ringtone.

   

3. Stop where you feel the iPhone is at an adequate volume level.

If your ringer is on full, but the speakers don’t produce sound, restart your iPhone. Still not successful? Maybe your speakers are damaged or filled with dust—time to seek the services of a professional.

4. Bluetooth Issues

This might be the most annoying issue on the list because some users might experience connectivity issues, especially when connecting with a non-Apple device. Try fixing this problem by bringing both gadgets up close.

If it still doesn’t work, turn off Bluetooth on both devices and turn it back on. Also, make sure both devices are visible and available for pairing. If the problem persists, you should get your device checked.

5. Wi-Fi Connection Problems

Using your iPhone without a stable Wi-Fi connection is a bit challenging. A poor connection or out-of-range Wi-Fi might be the top reasons your phone isn’t connecting to the network. Apart from this, limited data plans or router issues may also lead to connectivity concerns.

To fix the Wi-Fi problem, you can try the following steps:

1. Turn off the Airplane Mode on your iPhone and restart it.
2. Go to Settings and tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the Info button next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to and tap on Forget This Network.

   

4. Now, re-enter the password and connect to the network again.

To toggle your Wi-Fi connection off and on, head to Settings > Wi-Fi. Then, tap the toggle at the top right of the screen. After 30 seconds, tap it again to enable it.

To turn off Connectivity Assist, open Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle off Connectivity Assist.

This fixes the internet connectivity issues. However, you can opt for other steps like:

• Checking if the router is powered on and working smoothly. You can restart it if needed.
• Connecting your iPhone to any other available Wi-Fi network.
• Contacting your internet service provider if nothing seems to work.

6. Personal Hotspot Issues

Your iPhone 18 Pro Max might have a Personal Hotspot issue where the network keeps dropping. The first step will be to check if Personal Hotspot is still active. Also, disable Low Data Mode.

To disconnect and reconnect to the hotspot, here’s what you need to do:

1. From Settings, go to Personal Hotspot.
2. Use the Allow Others to Join toggle to disable/enable Personal Hotspot.
3. Enter the network password on the other device.

Don’t forget that you need an active 3G, 4G LTE, or 5G internet plan with your mobile carrier to use the Personal Hotspot feature on your iPhone.

7. LTE/5G Issues

Sometimes when you change location or live in a close society, it gets difficult for your iPhone to provide fast LTE/5G internet. You can resolve this by enabling and disabling the Airplane Mode, restarting the device, or reinserting the SIM.

Additionally, you can try resetting the network settings. Follow the simple instructions below to do so:

1. Navigate to Settings and select General.
2. Scroll down until you see Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap on Reset and press Reset Network Settings.
4. Your device will require a passcode. Enter that to get the network to function.

8. iCloud Issues

There are multiple iCloud issues that iPhone users might experience. The most common problems include data sync, authentication, storage, and verification.

You can also experience iCloud issues because of poor internet connection or lack of storage. Upgrade the space or clear any unwanted files to see if it works.

When nothing seems to work, troubleshoot your iCloud or seek iCloud support from the official Apple Store.

9. iTunes and App Store Problems

Both the iTunes Store and App Store can sometimes have trouble functioning properly. This can be due to outdated iOS, weak internet connection, or app glitches. Consider the following steps to restore your connection with Apple’s servers:

1. Confirm with Apple’s System Status page to check whether the issue is on your end or not.
2. Change your internet connection to a faster/more stable one.
3. Restart your iPhone, update iOS (if available), and then try relaunching the iTunes Store app or App Store.

If that doesn’t help, you should browse relevant forums on Reddit to see if others are facing similar issues or start a discussion in Apple Support Community.

10. Fast Battery Drainage

Over time and constant use, the battery inside your iPhone may start to deteriorate, and that’s just unstoppable. However, excessive usage might lead to faster battery drainage. So, change your iPhone charger if you feel your phone isn’t holding up the charge as before, especially if you use a third-party one.

However, if it’s a software issue, there’s a chance you can fix it. You can use Low Power Mode, limit your iPhone frame rate, and stop background app refresh to improve your battery’s performance.

To use Low Power Mode, head to Settings > Battery > Power Mode and tap Low Power Mode.

You can limit your iPhone frame rate by opening Settings > Accessibility > Motion and tapping the Limit Frame Rate toggle. Doing this will cap the frame rate at 60 frames per second.

Turn off Background App Refresh by heading to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, tapping Background App Refresh, and selecting Off.

Keep in mind that while Low Power Mode is enabled, it will limit background phone activity, including downloads, certain messages, and mail fetch.

Additionally, disabling Background App Refresh will limit how apps behave in the background and may prevent them from working properly.

You can also contact the nearest Apple store and book an appointment for a battery replacement. Users also get guidance on efficient battery consumption by booking a Genius Bar reservation.

11. Overheating Issues

Most iPhones tend to overheat now and then, especially under heavy workloads. Sometimes, it can also overheat because of using an airtight cover, exposure to sunlight, or generally being in a room with significantly less ventilation.

Regardless of the cause, you may be unable to use certain features like flash or even charge the iPhone when it overheats. An infrequent heat-up is considered normal, and you can avoid that by placing your iPhone under a shade.

However, consistent heating might mean a severe issue waiting to be addressed. So, factory reset your iPhone to clear out any glitches. And if your iPhone 18 Pro Max is still heating up more than usual, contact Apple to get a quick solution.

Fix Your iPhone Issues Like a Pro

Apple’s iPhone is trendy for users who wish to have a modern smartphone experience. Overall, it is a high-end device with premium features, but it’s not without its problems.

Fortunately, most of the issues we listed here are fixable and require simple steps. In fact, we discussed the most persistent problems and how to fix them.

However, in the rare event that nothing we discussed here helped, get expert assistance from Apple Support for additional help.

After enabling “Hey Siri,” you can summon Apple’s voice assistant without pressing your iPhone’s Side button. This makes it easy to activate Siri and get things done even when your device is out of reach.

If “Hey Siri” isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, the solutions mentioned below will help fix it.

1. Make Sure “Hey Siri” Is Set Up Correctly

Before moving forward, take a moment to ensure you have turned on the “Hey Siri” feature. Here’s how to do that:

1. Open Settings and tap Siri.
2. Tap Requests, then tap “Siri” or “Hey Siri” (or “Hey Siri”), then follow the instructions to set it up.

2. Don’t Leave Your iPhone 18 Pro Max Face Down

When you keep the iPhone facing downwards on a table or bed, you can’t call it by saying, “Hey Siri.” For this feature to work, make sure your iPhone screen is facing up.

If you want to use Siri when your iPhone is facing down or covered, go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri and enable the Always Listen for “Siri” option.

3. Enable Bluetooth if You Have Multiple “Hey Siri” Devices

Do you have multiple devices nearby that work with “Hey Siri,” like another iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, or HomePod? If yes, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on these devices.

This is required because when you say “Hey Siri” around several supported devices, they all use Bluetooth to communicate with one another and decide which device should respond to your request. Usually, the device that heard your words the clearest, or the one that was most recently used, raised, or unlocked, responds to your “Hey Siri” query.

4. Review the Settings for Siri Responses

By default, Siri will speak its responses to you. So, if Siri responses have been set to silent, it may appear that “Hey Siri” isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max if you expected a verbal response after you gave a command from a distance.

To correct this, go to Settings > Siri > Responses. Select Prefer Spoken Responses.

5. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

When “Hey Siri” isn’t working correctly, this can be due to a temporary glitch. The easiest way to fix this is by turning off your iPhone and turning it back on after a minute. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. You can restart your iPhone even if its buttons are broken.

6. Remove the Case if It Blocks the Microphones

Are you using a case that might block your iPhone’s microphones? Take a minute to check this. If you find that the microphone slots at the bottom of the device, next to the camera, or inside the top earpiece are blocked by the case, you should remove the case.

7. Clean Your iPhone’s Microphone Grills

Carefully use a soft cloth to remove the dirt and other gunk from the microphone grills. Don’t use any metal object like a needle or wire as these may cause serious damage.

8. Disconnect AirPods or Beats Earbuds While Not Using Them

If you left your wireless headphones connected but you aren’t using them, your iPhone 18 Pro Max may not respond when you say, “Hey Siri.” To address this, wear your headphones, put them in their case, or disconnect them from your iPhone. Now, say “Hey Siri,” and you should be able to use Siri hands free.

9. Check Siri’s Language

Siri will respond correctly and more often when the language is set appropriately. For example, if you’re from India, make sure you choose English (India) as Siri’s language. If you set English (US) or English (UK), Siri may not work on your iPhone consistently because it’s unable to recognize and respond to you due to differences in accent.

Here’s how to set the correct Siri language to ensure “Hey Siri” works properly:

1. Open Settings and tap Siri.
2. Tap Language and choose the appropriate language from the list.
3. Restart your iPhone 18 Pro Max, and now “Hey Siri” should work fine.

Although many features of smartphones now overlap with computers, making and receiving calls are still a phone’s essential functions. Therefore, it can be frustrating when you can access the internet, take photos, and more with your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, yet the device can’t perform the basic task of receiving a call.

Below, we look at the solutions you can try when you find that you’re unable to receive calls on your iPhone at all.

1. Check Your Mobile Plan Status

Let’s start by ruling out non-technical causes. First, check that you have an active mobile plan. If your plan has been suspended for more than three to four weeks, your iPhone won’t ring because most carriers only allow expired accounts to receive calls for a limited number of days.

If this is the case, simply reload and reactivate your mobile plan, and your iPhone will ring when you get calls again.

2. Disable Airplane Mode and Focus

Airplane Mode is a setting that disables cellular connectivity during a flight. But if you’re not actually on a plane, you need to turn it off so that you can receive calls without issues. Access the Control Center, and if you see that the Airplane Mode icon is orange, tap to turn it off.

Focus is another feature that affects calls. It helps you control incoming calls, texts, and app notifications so that you can avoid distractions while working or resting. Unless you customize its settings, Focus modes such as Do Not Disturb and Sleep will disable incoming calls by default.

To check if this is the cause of your problem, open the Control Center and see if you have one of your Focus modes enabled. If yes, simply tap the mode’s icon to turn it off. Now, you should start hearing the ringtone when you get any calls.

3. Connect Your iPhone to the Internet

This fix applies if you intend to receive calls through third-party apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. For these apps, calls can’t come through if your iPhone is not connected to the internet.

So, all you need to do is enable mobile data or connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network to receive calls on such apps again. To turn on mobile data, go to Settings > Cellular and toggle on Cellular Data. To connect to a Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select a Wi-Fi network from the list.

4. Boost Your Phone Signal

Have you ever received unexpected notifications regarding missed calls, even though your iPhone didn’t ring at all during that time? This may happen when you’re in an area with weak phone reception. Apart from location issues, bad weather conditions may also cause this.

To know if your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max is available to receive calls, you can check the cell signal icon in the status bar. If you’re expecting a call at a particular time but notice that the icon only displays one or two filled bars, you can try going outdoors (if you’re in an indoor building) to obtain a stronger signal.

5. Turn Off Silence Unknown Callers

The Silence option under Screen Unknown Callers mutes all incoming calls from people not in your contacts. It also mutes calls from people you have never contacted or received the phone number for (via call, text, or email).

So, if someone like a distant relative or delivery person calls, you might not hear the incoming ringtone with this setting enabled. To fix it, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and scroll down to Screen Unknown Callers section. If Silence is selected, choose Never.

Now, you should hear the ringtone for all incoming calls unless you have blocked the person.

6. Check if You’ve Blocked the Caller

After you block someone on your iPhone, they can’t call, FaceTime, or text you. It’s possible that you blocked a person by accident or no longer need to have them blocked, and that’s why you can’t hear when they contact you. To address this, here’s how to check your block list and unblock them.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts. In the list of blocked contacts, swipe left on the desired entry and tap Unblock. Alternatively, tap Edit, then hit the red Remove button and tap Unblock.

7. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

Restarting your device is a simple and effective way to fix common issues without much trouble. If your phone doesn’t ring even after trying the above solutions, turn off your iPhone and turn it back on after a minute to restart it. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

8. Turn Off Call Forwarding

When call forwarding is enabled, you don’t get any notification or hear a ringtone when people call you, as incoming calls are diverted to another number. To turn off call forwarding to ensure you receive calls on your iPhone 18 Pro Max as usual, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding. Give it a few seconds to load, then tap to toggle off Call Forwarding if it was enabled.

9. Review Third-Party Call Blockers

Suppose you’re waiting for a call from your bank. Any third-party call identification and spam-blocking apps you have installed may think the customer service number is a robocall or spam and thus block it.

To fix this, open any of those apps on your iPhone and whitelist any numbers you keep missing calls from. You may also want to turn off all call blocking from inside the app or by going to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification. Then, turn off any call identification apps you see here.

10. Update Your iPhone and Other Third-Party Apps

By this point, one or more of the above solutions should have fixed your iPhone not ringing. But in case you’re still having problems, make sure your iPhone is running on the latest iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your device.

You should also update apps like WhatsApp or Zoom if you intend to receive calls through them. It may be a bug that’s been causing call reception issues, so updating the respective iPhone app might resolve the problem.

11. Reset Network Settings

The last method you can try is to reset the network settings on your iPhone. This deletes network-related data and returns the settings to its default state.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Reset. Tap Reset Network Settings.

Another common solution is to reset all settings instead. This procedure won’t delete personal data like music and photos. Instead, it restores all settings, in addition to network ones, to their default factory values. To do so, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Receive Calls on Your iPhone 18 Pro Max Again

When you can’t receive calls at all on your iPhone, it’s usually due to two main reasons. One is phone signal issues, and the other is that there’s a setting on your iPhone that’s blocking the call from coming through.

By applying the fixes above, you should be able to receive calls normally again. However, if the issue persists, you should contact your mobile carrier service provider or Apple Support for further assistance.

The Control Center is a pretty neat feature that instantly gives you access to the essential controls on your iPhone 18 Pro Max. You can quickly access the connectivity options, control the volume, and adjust the brightness of your screen, among many other nitty-gritty features.

Since it’s so important, it can be a real bummer when the Control Center stops working on your iPhone 18 Pro Max. Below, we’ll look at all the potential troubleshooting steps to fix this issue and bring all the crucial controls back to your fingertips.

1. Clean Your iPhone’s Screen

Your iPhone’s display not being able to register your touch inputs could be the reason you’re unable to access the Control Center. It might be because you’re using a thick protective case on your iPhone that might overlap your display, preventing you from accessing the Control Center.

Besides this, the quality and condition of your screen protector can also be why you can’t access the Control Center. So, if it has scratches or cracks on it, replace it with a new one. And even if you’re not using your iPhone with a screen protector, its display isn’t immune to dust and dirt that accumulate over time.

Because of this, your screen’s touch sensitivity and accuracy may reduce, making it unresponsive to touch. The best way to fix this issue is to remove the screen protector and clean your iPhone’s display with a microfiber cloth. And when you’re done, see if you’re able to open the Control Center.

2. Turn Off VoiceOver

For those unaware, VoiceOver is one of the many accessibility features in iOS that lets a visually impaired person interact with their iPhone. It’s a gesture-based screen reader that gives an audio description of what’s on the screen. When VoiceOver is on, you need to use special gestures to unlock iPhone, go to the Home Screen, open Control Center, switch apps, and more. Drag one finger down from the top edge of the screen until you feel a vibration or hear the second tone.

So, if you accidentally activated this feature, you can turn it off by heading over to Settings > Accessibility. Once you’re here, tap VoiceOver and toggle off the switch at the top. Now, try opening the Control Center on your iPhone.

3. Enable Control Center Access When Locked

This one is for those having trouble accessing Control Center from the Lock Screen on their iPhones. It only happens when you don’t give access to Control Center when your iPhone is locked.

Here’s how you can give access to Control Center when your iPhone is locked:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to Face ID & Passcode.
2. Enter your passcode for verification and scroll down to Allow Access When Locked section.
3. Enable the Control Center toggle.

After this, you should be able to access the Control Center from your iPhone’s Lock Screen.

4. Enable Control Center Access Within Apps

Similarly, this one is for those unable to access the Control Center while using apps. If that’s the case, it’s likely happening because you’ve accidentally disabled Control Center access within apps on your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The process of enabling Control Center access within apps is pretty straightforward. Open the Settings app, select Control Center, and toggle on Access Within Apps.

Once enabled, you should be able to access the Control Center while using apps on your iPhone.

5. Update to the Latest iOS Version

iOS updates typically include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features. Installing the latest updates should be helpful if you’re facing the Control Center issue because of a bug in the iOS version you’re currently using.

Here’s how you can update your iPhone:

1. Launch Settings and select General.
2. Tap Software Update and check if an update is available.
3. Press the Update Now button to initiate the update.

Once your iPhone is running the latest iOS version, try opening the Control Center again. If it’s still not working, try some other solutions mentioned below.

6. Remove and Add Controls to Control Center

Another possible reason you’re unable to use Control Center on your iPhone could be a specific control that isn’t working due to a bug.

Therefore, removing that control might fix the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Center, then tap the Add button to begin editing the controls.

   

2. Tap the Remove button at the upper left of the control you want to delete.

   

3. Tap Add a Control at the bottom of the screen to open the controls gallery, then tap the control to add it back to the Control Center.

   

After customizing the Control Center on your iPhone, try launching it again to check if the issue is fixed.

7. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

The best and quickest approach to resolve any software issue you might be experiencing on your iPhone is to restart it. Therefore, a simple restart should fix this Control Center issue. However, there’s no dedicated restart button, so you need to turn it off and back on.

To shut down your iPhone, simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider.

You can restart your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max even if its buttons are broken. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Then check if you can access the Control Center.

8. Reset Your iPhone’s Settings

Your final option is to reset all the settings of your iPhone if the Control Center is still not functioning properly despite applying all the methods mentioned in this post.

This method won’t impact the data stored on your iPhone, but it will fix any issues you’re facing and return all of your iPhone’s settings to their factory default values. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings and select General.
2. Scroll down and select the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
3. Tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings.

Enter your passcode for verification, and iOS will reset your iPhone’s settings. Now, try accessing the Control Center again.

Resolve Your Control Center Issues

Using the methods mentioned in this post, you can easily fix the Control Center in iOS when it’s not opening. However, if you’ve tried all the methods and still find that the Control Center isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro Max, you should contact Apple support for further assistance.

An inoperable Control Center can likely result from a faulty device or a software bug that might require a professional to fix it.

Is your iPhone 18 Pro Max slow to turn off the screen when you press the side button? Well, it turns out you’re not the only one!

Delayed screen locking is a common problem on iPhones with Face ID. It induces a noticeable delay between pressing the side button and your iPhone going to sleep, which makes you wait an extra second for the screen to go black.

Surprisingly, many iPhone users aren’t aware of it, and some are unwilling to seek a solution. However, if this bothers you, here’s a guide explaining what causes this delay and the steps to eliminate it.

Why Does Your iPhone Screen Take a While to Turn Off?

Ideally, when you press the side button on your iPhone, it should go to sleep immediately, i.e., the screen should go black. However, if your iPhone 18 Pro Max screen takes longer than normal to turn off, it’s possible some feature on your iPhone is keeping it awake. Wallet, Guided Access, and Accessibility Shortcut are three iPhone features known to cause this issue.

Guided Access is an iOS feature that allows you to restrict access to your iPhone to a single app or task. Accessibility Shortcut, on the other hand, gives you access to various accessibility features on your iPhone. Meanwhile, Wallet is a digital wallet from Apple that lets you store all your loyalty cards, boarding passes, event tickets, and credit or debit cards (for Apple Pay payments) so that you can carry them conveniently wherever you go.

For those unaware, Apple allows you to assign side button shortcuts for Wallet & Apple Pay, Guided Access, and Accessibility Shortcut on iPhones with Face ID to a double-click or triple-click action, respectively, to facilitate their quick access. As such, if you’ve enabled either feature on your iPhone—and press the side button once—your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max waits for a double-click or triple-click input to activate it, which ultimately induces the sleep delay.

Although this delay isn’t detrimental to iPhone’s performance, it can make the experience sluggish, as it requires you to wait for a second or so after pressing the side button just to be sure the screen is off so that there are no accidental taps on the screen when you put your iPhone in your pocket.

How to Turn Off Your iPhone Screen Faster

Since the anticipation of a double-click or triple-click is what prevents your iPhone’s display from going to sleep instantly, disabling the Wallet & Apple Pay, Guided Access, and Accessibility Shortcut triggers is a surefire way to alleviate this sleep delay.

Disable Wallet & Apple Pay Shortcut Trigger

Apple Pay is currently only available in select countries, but if you live in one where it’s supported, and you’ve set it to launch with a double-click of the side button, you can disable it using these steps:

1. Head to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Toggle off the Double-Click Side Button option.

Disable Guided Access and Accessibility Shortcut Trigger

If you’ve enabled Guided Access or Accessibility Shortcut on your iPhone 18 Pro Max, follow these steps to disable it and eliminate the sleep delay:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down the page and select Accessibility.
3. Scroll down to the General section at the bottom, tap on Guided Access if it’s on, and then use the toggle to disable it.
4. Now, head back to the Accessibility settings menu, tap on Accessibility Shortcut if that’s on, and uncheck the accessibility features you’ve assigned.

Never Wait for Your iPhone Screen to Turn Off Again

Once you’ve disabled these side button shortcuts on your iPhone, you’ll no longer need to wait for your iPhone 18 Pro Max screen to turn off. Simply press the side button once, and your iPhone should sleep immediately.

Going forward, if you ever need to use Apple Pay, Guided Access, or any Accessibility Shortcut again, you can re-enable it from Settings. Naturally, you’ll have to sacrifice quick screen locking to benefit from it, but it may be worth it if you need that convenience.

Fixing the sleep delay can help you reclaim faster locking on your iPhone. However, if your device still seems to perform slowly, it could be due to many other factors.

Is your iPhone 18 Pro Max asking for your Apple Account password over and over and over again? You aren’t alone. It’s a known bug that pops up from time to time, sometimes following an iOS update, sometimes due to issues with iCloud, or due to one of the other reasons we’ll discuss in this article. Luckily it’s pretty easy to fix the problem and stop your iPhone repetitively asking for your password – read on to find out how.

If your iPhone is in a loop of continuously asking for your iCloud login details and password, even after you have entered your password, we have the fix.

Having an iPhone that is stuck in this weird iCloud login loop can be extremely frustrating. Fortunately, help is at hand.

You can try the following tips to see if they help:

Fix 1: Turn it off and on again

No tutorial would be complete without the stalwart advice “turn it off and on again”. It is often the fix all solution so it’s the best place to start.

• You need to press and hold one of the volume buttons at the same time as the Side button. Eventually the power-off slider will appear. Just drag that from left to right and wait for your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max to shut down. To turn it back on press the side button again.

  

Once your iPhone has started up again you may need to enter your iCloud password once, but hopefully that will fix the problem.

What if that doesn’t fix it? Read on…

Fix 2: Update your software

This is a bug that often comes up after major software updates, but those kinds of issues are often quickly addressed by Apple, so the next thing to check is that you are running the latest version of iOS.

1. Go to Settings.
2. General.
3. Software Update.
4. Your iPhone will check for updates and if one is available you will see it here. Tap Update Now. You need an internet connection to update your device.

Fix 3: Check your apps and update

It’s also possible that it’s an app that is causing the problem. Perhaps one of your apps has been trying to update but needs your iCloud log in before it can do so.

1. In this case open App Store.
2. Tap on the icon at the top right. This will take you to your Account information where you will find details of your apps.
3. You will see how many apps need to be updated. It’s wise to update them just in case it’s an out of date app that is causing the repetitive login issue. Tap App Updates, then tap Update All.

If you don’t want to install updates to all your apps consider deleting some of them. You can swipe from right to left on any app in the list that appears to Delete them.

Fix 4: Turn FaceTime and iMessage off and on again

FaceTime and iMessage run via your Apple Account so it could help fix the problem if you sign out of them and then sign back in.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
3. Tap on the slider beside iMessage so it goes from on to off.

   

4. Tap again to turn it on (so it’s green).

Follow the same steps with FaceTime.

Fix 5: Sign out of iCloud

If none of the above fixed the problem with your iPhone 18 Pro Max we advise that you try signing out of iCloud and then back in again. Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap on the area at the top with your name – this will take you to your Apple Account settings.

   

3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
4. Enter your Apple Account password to turn off Find My iPhone.
5. Tap Turn Off.
6. Now sign in again.
7. We recommend restarting the iPhone again at this point following the steps in the first suggestion above.

Resetting iCloud may fix the problem, but if that doesn’t work then, move on to our next suggestion.

Fix 6: Check iCloud is working

Before going any further, we suggest that you check that iCloud is working correctly at Apple’s end. It’s possible that the iCloud server has gone down, for example. Go to Apple System Status on your Mac or iPhone and check that all the services are lit up green.

If there is a problem with iCloud at Apple’s end, then it’s best to give Apple a couple of hours to fix it.

Fix 7: Reset your password

If none of the earlier steps have worked, and you’ve checked Apple System Status, then the next thing is to change your Apple Account password. It’s a hassle, but often it fixes the problem. The easiest and most secure way to change your Apple Account password is to use your iPhone or another trusted device.

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Change Password, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Now try entering the new password on your iPhone when it asks. This should be accepted by the iPhone and fix the problem.

Fix 8: Back up and restore

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max is still constantly asking for the iCloud password, and you’ve tried power cycling the iPhone and changing your password, then the next thing to try is to back up and restore your iPhone.

Normally we would recommend backing up using iCloud, but because you can’t rely on iCloud at the moment you will need to back up to a Mac (or PC).

You will need a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac – this could be a problem if your Mac has USB-C and your cable is USB-A. In that case you will need an adapter.

How you back up will depend on the operating system on your computer.

Back up iPhone in Catalina or later

1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac using the cable.
2. You may see a Trust This Computer message on your iPhone, enter your passcode.
3. Open the Finder.
4. Under Locations find your iPhone and click on it.
5. Wait for the information to load. The General tab should be selected. Scroll to the Backups section.
6. Select the Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac option. (Note that you will need enough space on your Mac).
7. Click Back Up Now.

Back up iPhone in Mojave or older (or on a PC)

1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac using the cable.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Click the iPhone button near the top left of the iTunes window.
4. Select Summary.
5. Choose This Computer under Backups.
6. Click Back Up Now.

Wait for the backup process to take place. When it’s finished you can begin the process of restoring your iPhone.

Restore iPhone in Catalina

You will also need to use the Finder to restore your iPhone in Catalina.

1. Open the Finder and go to the General tab.
2. Click on Restore iPhone.
3. You’ll be asked if you need to back up first (you just have).
4. Confirm that everything on your iPhone should be erased (as long as you have a backup!)

Now your iPhone will begin the process of restoring.

Restore iPhone in Mojave or older (or on a PC)

1. Keep your iPhone connected to the Mac.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Find My.
3. Tap Find My iPhone.
4. Set Find My iPhone to Off.
5. Enter your Apple Account Password and tap Turn Off.
6. Back in iTunes on your Mac, click Restore iPhone.

Follow the restore process and use the backup you just created.

You will download the latest version of iOS from Apple, and restore your iPhone using the backup. After the phone has been restored it should be just as it was before, but this will hopefully have fixed the problem.

Fix 9: Reset and restore as new

This is our last and most drastic solution. You could reset your phone to factory settings. This will mean you lose all your data (although you may find that this isn’t a problem if you are using iCloud to sync photos, your music is synced via iTunes Match, you sync all your documents and data over the cloud, and all the apps you own can be easily downloaded again from the App Store.)

1. Go to Settings.
2. General.
3. Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Choose Erase All Content and Settings.

This will return your iPhone to factory settings.