The ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode or as introverts beloved call it DND is a feature most of us rely on as it allows us to silence calls and messages when we need uninterrupted time. But to our surprise, there have been instances where disruptions have taken over and you wonder ‘Why am I getting calls when Do Not Disturb is on?’. If your iPhone is still ringing on Do Not Disturb, you may want to harness a simple fix for the personalization that may be rendered ineffective due to a misstep.
How To Fix An iPhone Ringing On Do Not Disturb Enabled?
Before we delve into the reasons behind ‘Why does my phone get calls when Do Not Disturb is on’, let’s first understand the purpose and functionality of this feature. Do Not Disturb mode is designed to silence notifications, calls, and messages, ensuring that you can focus on the task at hand without interruptions. It is especially useful during meetings, movie-watching, sleeping, or any situation where you need a distraction-free environment.

In recent years, both Apple and Google have introduced additional customization options for Do Not Disturb. Apple, for instance, replaced Do Not Disturb with “Focus mode” on iPhones, allowing users to create personalized profiles based on their preferences. Similarly, Android devices offer various options to customize Do Not Disturb settings, although the interface may vary depending on the manufacturer and version of Android.
Reasons for Receiving Calls On iPhones On Do Not Disturb
Despite enabling Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, you may still receive calls for several reasons. Let’s explore some common causes and how to fix an iPhone ringing on Do Not Disturb.
Silence All Notifications and Calls
On iPhones, the default Focus settings may be the reason for receiving calls despite enabling the Do Not Disturb option. To address this, follow these steps.
- Open Settings and select Focus.
- Choose your preferred Focus profile.
- Tap Options and select “Silence Notifications.”
- Ensure that it is set to “Always.”
Allow Calls From No One
When creating a custom Focus mode on an iPhone, you have the option to allow calls from selected contacts or favorites. If you still receive calls on Do Not Disturb, it is likely because you have added exceptions for specific contacts. Here’s how you can turn off calls from everyone.
- Open Settings. Go to Focus → Focus profile.
- Select People and tap “Allow Notifications From.”
Remove any contacts added as exceptions. If you have added someone, tap the ‘-‘ icon over their profile picture.
Why Does My Phone Ring With Do Not Disturb Enabled? Disable Repeated Calls
By default, enabling Focus on an iPhone silences all incoming calls. So why does my iPhone ring with Do Not Disturb enabled? If the same person tries to call you within three minutes, the call bypasses the Do Not Disturb mode and rings your iPhone. To address this, disable the repeated call settings.
- Head to Settings → Focus → Focus profile → People menu.
- Disable the “Allow Repeated Calls” toggle.
- Make Sure to Enable the Right Focus Mode
Apple allows users to create multiple Focus profiles based on their preferences. If you are still getting calls when Do Not Disturb is on, it is possible that you have enabled an incorrect Focus mode that allows calls on Do Not Disturb.
Don’t Turn off Focus on Other Apple Devices
By default, Apple shares your Focus mode across devices using the same Apple ID. If you disable Focus on one device, it will turn off on all devices.
- Open Settings on your iPad and go to Focus.
- Disable the “Share Across Devices” toggle.
Mac users can follow similar steps by clicking the Apple icon in the menu bar, selecting System Settings, scrolling to Focus, and turning off the “Share across devices” toggle.
Why Am I Getting Calls When Do Not Disturb Is On: Update Your Device
Sometimes, outdated software can cause issues with the Do Not Disturb functionality on your iPhone. Ensure that your iPhone has the latest iOS version installed by going to Settings → General → Software Update menu and installing any available updates.
Do Not Disturb mode is a valuable feature that helps us maintain focus and reduce distractions. However, receiving calls despite enabling Do Not Disturb can be frustrating. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to address the issue on iPhones. Remember to customize your settings based on your preferences and enjoy uninterrupted time whenever you need it.
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