Missed a call because your iPhone didn’t ring? Usually the ringer is simply in Silent mode, and switching it back takes a second. How you do it depends on your iPhone: older models have a small Ring/Silent switch, while newer ones use the Action button, Control Center or Settings. Here’s how to turn the ringer on for every model, plus what to check if it still won’t ring.
Quick answer: On an iPhone with a Ring/Silent switch, push the switch toward the screen so no orange shows. On an iPhone with an Action button, press and hold the Action button until you see Ring. On recent iOS versions, you can also open Settings > Sounds & Haptics and turn Silent Mode off, or tap the Silent mode button in Control Center. Then turn up the ringer volume.
Which control does your iPhone have?
- Ring/Silent switch: found on older models, such as iPhone 15, iPhone 14 and earlier. It’s the small switch on the upper left side above the volume buttons.
- Action button: found on newer models, such as iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 lineup and later, including iPhone 16e. It’s a button in the same spot.
Apple’s guide to iPhone buttons and controls shows the layout for each model if you’re not sure.
How to turn on the ringer with the Ring/Silent switch
- Find the switch on the upper left side of your iPhone.
- Push it toward the front (screen side) of the iPhone.
- Check that no orange stripe is visible. Orange means Silent mode is on.
A “Ring” or “Silent Mode Off” message appears briefly on screen to confirm the change.
How to turn on the ringer with the Action button
- Press and hold the Action button on the upper left side.
- Keep holding until you feel a tap and see a status message showing that Silent Mode is off (the exact wording can vary).
By default, the Action button toggles Silent mode, but it can be reassigned to the flashlight, camera or another action. If pressing it does something else, either use Settings or Control Center (below), or set it back: open Settings > Action Button and swipe until you reach Silent Mode.
How to turn on the ringer in Settings or Control Center
Apple’s iPhone User Guide lists two software options alongside the hardware controls. On supported iPhone models, you can turn off Silent Mode in Settings or Control Center. If your iPhone uses a physical Ring/Silent switch and these software controls aren’t available, move the switch toward the screen to enable ringing:
- Settings: Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics and turn off Silent Mode.
- Control Center: On iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. On older iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom. If a Silent mode control (a bell icon) is available, tap it to turn Silent Mode off. If you don’t see it, you may be able to add it when you customize Control Center.
When Silent mode is on, a crossed-out bell icon can appear in the status bar, but it may be hidden. Check the Silent Mode setting or the hardware switch to confirm your ringer is on.
Turn up the ringer volume
Ring mode on but calls still sound faint? The ringer has its own volume, separate from music and videos.
- Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics.
- Drag the ringer volume slider (below Ringtone, or labeled Ringtone and Alerts on some iOS versions) to the right.
- Turn on Change with Buttons if you want the volume buttons to adjust the ringer when no audio is playing.
Tap Ringtone on the same screen to preview tones. If the preview plays, the speaker can produce sound, but other settings or call-delivery issues may still stop your iPhone from ringing.
iPhone still not ringing? Check these settings
First, notice whether no calls ring at all or only calls from numbers that aren’t saved in your contacts. This helps narrow down whether the problem involves your ringer settings, call screening or another call-related setting.
- Focus or Do Not Disturb: Turning off Silent mode doesn’t override a Focus. A moon or other Focus icon in the status bar or Control Center means a Focus may be silencing calls. Open Control Center and tap Focus to turn it off, or review which people and apps are allowed in Settings > Focus. Also check for schedules that turn a Focus on automatically.
- Unknown callers are screened or silenced: If only numbers that aren’t in your contacts don’t ring, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and check Screen Unknown Callers (on older iOS versions, Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers). Silence sends unknown callers to voicemail, Ask Reason for Calling screens the call before your phone rings, and Never lets calls from unsaved numbers ring without this screening step, provided no other setting is silencing or blocking them.
- The caller is blocked: Check Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
- A Bluetooth device is connected: The ring may play through your car, earbuds or a speaker in some cases. Disconnect Bluetooth and test again.
- Call forwarding is on: Calls sent elsewhere won’t ring on your iPhone. Check Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding if your carrier supports it.
- Glitches: Restart your iPhone and install any iOS update.
After making changes, ask someone saved in your contacts to call you with Focus turned off. If it rings, you’ve confirmed that calls from that saved contact can ring normally. If unknown callers still can’t reach you, review the call-screening settings above.
If you still hear nothing, including ringtone previews, the speaker may need service. Contact Apple Support or your carrier.
What still makes sound in Silent mode
Silent mode mutes ringtones, alerts and sound effects, but not everything. Apple says alarms set in the Clock app still sound, and audio apps and many games can still play through the speaker. Apple also notes that calls from favorite contacts can still ring, though other call settings can affect this, and your iPhone may still vibrate. In some countries or regions, sounds for Camera, Voice Memos and Emergency Alerts play even in Silent mode.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn my iPhone ringer back on without the switch?
On models with an Action button, press and hold it, or use Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Silent Mode or the Silent mode button in Control Center where available. These software controls depend on your model and iOS version; on iPhones with a Ring/Silent switch, the switch position still controls the ringer.
Why is my iPhone not ringing when the ringer is on?
The most common reasons are a Focus such as Do Not Disturb, low ringer volume, unknown-caller screening or a connected Bluetooth device. Work through the checklist above.
How do I make my iPhone ring but not vibrate?
Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Haptics and choose an option that doesn’t play haptics in Ring mode, such as playing haptics only in Silent mode or never. Option names can vary by iOS version.
How many times does my iPhone ring before voicemail?
That’s controlled by your carrier, not the ringer setting. See our guide on changing the number of rings before voicemail.
How we researched this guide
We based these steps on Apple’s Silence iPhone guide and its Action button, side button and other controls article. Troubleshooting checks reflect common fixes discussed in the Apple Support Community. Menu names can change between iOS versions, so your screens may differ slightly. We did not test every iPhone model.
Related guides: how to block an area code on iPhone and how to turn off Live Listen.
Louis Mugan writes how-to and troubleshooting guides for EasyTechLife, covering Android phones, iPhones, laptops, Chromebooks, headphones and everyday software.
He aims to base each guide on official manufacturer documentation and support pages, and to link the sources so readers can check the steps for themselves. Questions or corrections? Use the contact page.
