Apple iPhone XR can’t make phone calls after iOS 13

by

If your iPhone XR can’t make phone calls after iOS 13 update, this can be inflicted by network-related errors, random software glitches and a faulty SIM card. It is important to determine where the problem lies to ensure that you are providing the appropriate solutions to the issue. 

So before troubleshooting your iPhone, check if the rest of the features are working as intended. Make sure as well that your phone is within network coverage, the number that you are trying to call has not been blacklisted on your device or the other way around, no reported outages, and your account has not been disconnected or suspended due to a delinquent status. 

If these had been verified and still you can’t make phone calls, we have listed possible solutions that can help you fix the problem. Read on and be guided.

Before we move on to our troubleshooting, if you happen to find this post while looking for a solution to a different problem, then visit our iPhone XR Help Guides page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this device. We may have already published articles that could help you fix your problem. Find issues that are similar to yours and feel free to use our solutions.

First solution: Reboot your iPhone XR. (soft reset)

It is unarguable that this simple trick corrects various issues including can’t make phone calls. So instead of performing complex steps to fix the problem, start troubleshooting your iPhone XR by simply turning it off and on again. Here is how:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  2. Release both buttons once the Slide to Power Off command appears.
  3. Drag the power off slider to the right to completely turn off your iPhone.
  4. After at least 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Once your phone boots up again, any cache files saved on your phone’s internal memory should be eliminated; refreshing your phone’s operating system. Then proceed to make a test call from your phone to see if the problem is already fixed. But if you can’t make phone calls still after this simple troubleshooting option, move on to the next possible solution.

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone XR stuck on black screen of death after iOS 13

Second solution: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off again on your iPhone XR.

This is also another simple trick to fix any network-related issues and can be executed by accessing your phone’s settings menu or launching the Control Center from the main screen. In this procedure, we will walk your through on how to do it via phone settings menu. Here’s how it is done:

  1. From the Home screen, go to Settings.
  2. Select Airplane Mode menu and toggle the switch to turn on the feature. Doing so will disable your phone’s network and wireless connections including the cellular network.
  3. While the Airplane Mode is on, reboot (soft reset) your iPhone XR.
  4. Then head back to Settings->Airplane Mode menu and tap the switch again to disable the feature. This will also restore your phone’s wireless radios including Wi-Fi, Cellular Data, Bluetooth and other services.

Wait until your iPhone has searched for and acquired stable network signal and then try to make a call. If it hasn’t fixed the issue, continue troubleshooting your device.

ALSO READ: Twitter keeps crashing on iPhone XR after iOS 13 update

Third solution: Remove and re-insert your SIM Card.

A faulty SIM Card can also be to blame if your iPhone XR can’t make phone calls after the iOS update. With that being said, it is necessary to check if the SIM card is properly installed and has not been exposed to physical damage. This can be done by removing the SIM card from your phone. If you wish to continue, make sure to turn off the device as uninstalling the SIM while your phone is on may result in incurring further issues. Once your iPhone XR is completely off, follow these steps to remove and reinstall the SIM Card:

  1. Locate the SIM Card tray.
  2. Insert the SIM eject tool or a paper clip into the provided slot to unlock the tray.
  3. Gently pull the tray and remove the SIM card.
  4. Check for any scratches and make sure that the gold part is free of debris. Wipe it with a clean cloth when necessary.
  5. Insert the SIM card back into the tray with the gold part facing down.
  6. Gently push the tray back into the slot until it’s completely locked into the slot.

Turn your iPhone XR on and wait until it searches for available network. Once your phone already has a stable network connection, make a test call and see if it is successful.

ALSO READ: How to fix visual voicemail that is not working on your Apple iPhone XR [Help Guide]

Fourth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR.

Invalid network settings can also affect the call features on your iPhone like the outgoing calls. If you have recently made changes on your network settings but can’t remember which values and options were changed, a network settings reset might be of help. Doing so will delete your current saved settings like the VPN settings, Wi-Fi networks and password, preferred networks and the likes. If you want to give this a try, follow the provided steps:

  1. From Home, go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
  4. Then select Reset network settings from the options.
  5. Enter your device passcode when asked to continue.
  6. Then select the option to confirm the network settings reset.

After the reset, your iPhone XR will reboot by itself. Once it is back on, try to call multiple numbers. 

ALSO READ: How to fix an Apple iPhone XR that has no Internet access even if connected to Wi-Fi

Fifth solution: Restore your iPhone XR to factory default settings.

This should be your last resort if neither of the given solutions fixed the issue. Complex software glitches that trigger the outbound call feature to fail shall be cleared out with this process. However, all saved files on your phone’s memory will also be deleted after the master reset, so make sure to back them up via iCloud or iTunes beforehand. A master reset can be fulfilled via iTunes and through your phone’s settings. In this tutorial, we will provide you with the steps on how to restore your iPhone XR to factory default through your phone’s settings menu. Here’s how:

  1. From Home, go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
  4. Then select Erase All Content and Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode when prompted to continue.
  6. Select the option to confirm the master reset.

A Welcome Screen will appear once the reset process has been completed. Follow the onscreen instructions to either set up your iPhone XR as new or restore it from an iOS backup.

Connect with us

We are committed to helping our readers fix the problems with their phones as well as learn how to properly use their devices. So, if you have other issues, you may visit our Help Guides page so you can check by yourself the articles we’ve already published that contain solutions to common problems. Also, we do create videos to demonstrate how things are done on your phone. Visit our Youtube Channel and please subscribe to it. Thanks.

Posts you might like