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Fixing incoming calls for Mobile app (iOS)

This guide ensures you never miss incoming calls from your Smarter Contact contacts on your iPhone, with a step-by-step checklist for quick troubleshooting and setup.

Top Reasons Calls Are Missed

  • Focus modes (like Do Not Disturb, Work, Sleep) block calls by default. You must customize settings for EVERY mode you use.
  • Incoming call settings need activation in BOTH the mobile and web app. If only one is enabled, calls may not reach you.
  • Required iOS permissions (Microphone, Notifications, CallKit) aren’t granted, or CallKit integration is missing.

When someone calls your Smarter Contact number:

  • Our servers send you a push notification
  • iOS wakes the app (if allowed by Focus settings)
  • CallKit shows the incoming call using native iOS UI
  • Your call screen appears, and your ringtone sounds
  • The call is logged in your recent calls list, just like a standard phone call

To get calls reliably, your iPhone needs:

  • Notification permission (for call alerts)
  • Microphone access (for talking)
  • CallKit integration (for native iOS call interface)
  • Focus mode exceptions (each mode must be manually set to allow calls)
  • Background app refresh (to receive calls when the app isn’t open)

Unique to iOS: Focus modes are very strict—calls can still be blocked even if permissions are enabled. Every mode (Work, Personal, Sleep, etc.) must allow calls individually.

If any requirement is missing, calls may only show as subtle banners, or you might not get notified at all.

Fast Setup Checklist

Before deeper troubleshooting, check these basics:

  • Enable “Receive calls on this device” in your Smarter Contact mobile app
  • Enable “Incoming calls” in the web app for your phone numbers
  • Verify your iPhone is connected to the internet (WiFi or mobile data)
  • Make sure the app is updated from the App Store
  • Confirm callers are dialing the correct number

All set, but still missing calls? See the step-by-step fixes below.

Step-by-Step Fixes

 1. Mobile App: Enable Incoming Calls

  • Open Smarter Contact app
  • Allow all permission prompts
  • Tap your profile avatar and open Call Settings
  • Turn on “Receive calls on this device”

2. Web App: Enable Incoming Calls

  • Log into Smarter Contact on the web
  • For messaging numbers: Go to Settings > Messaging campaign > Enable “Incoming calls”
  • For calling numbers: Go to Settings > Calling campaign > Enable “Incoming calls”

Why both? The web app decides which numbers can receive calls. The mobile app controls whether your phone rings. If web settings are off, no device will ring.


3. Check iOS Permissions

  • Microphone: Settings → Smarter Contact → Microphone → Allow
  • Notifications: Settings → Notifications → Smarter Contact → Allow notifications, enable Lock screen, Persistent Banners, Sounds
  • CallKit: Settings → Apps → Phone → Call blocking & identification → Enable Smarter Contact (for native call screens)

Configure Focus Modes (Critical!)

For every Focus mode you use:

  • Settings → Focus → [Mode] → People → Allow calls from Everyone or add Smarter Contact
    - Enable “Allow repeated calls”
  • For iOS 18+: Settings → Focus → Reduce interruptions → Apps → Add Smarter Contact

5. Review Call Blocking Features

  • Silence Unknown Callers: Settings → Phone → Silence unknown callers → OFF (or add numbers to Contacts)
  • Live Voicemail (iOS 17+, US/Canada): Settings → Phone → Live Voicemail → Consider disabling; add numbers to Contacts
  • Emergency Bypass: Contacts → [Contact] → Edit → Ringtone → Emergency bypass → ON

6. Time-sensitive/ Priority Notifications

  • Time-sensitive: Settings → Focus → [Each mode] → Apps → Smarter Contact → Time-sensitive notifications → ON (iOS 15+)
  • Priority: Settings → Notifications → Priority notifications → Ensure Smarter Contact is prioritized or set to OFF (iOS 18+, iPhone 15 Pro)

7. Screen Time Restrictions

  • Settings → Screen time → Communication limits: During allowed time/Downtime → Everyone
  • Remove app limits for Smarter Contact

8. Network & Power Settings

  • Cellular Data: Settings → Cellular → Smarter Contact → ON
  • Low Data Mode: Settings → Cellular → Data options → Low data mode → OFF
  • Low Power Mode: Settings → Battery → Low power mode → OFF
  • Background App Refresh: Settings → General → Background app refresh → Smarter Contact → ON
  • VPN: Test with VPN off—it can block VoIP calls

Special scenarios:

  • Dual SIM: Settings → Cellular → Default voice line → Choose your Smarter Contact line
  • CarPlay: Settings → General → CarPlay → Confirm Smarter Contact app is available (requires CallKit)

FAQ Highlights

  • Not ringing?
    Check both mobile and web app settings, and confirm all permissions.
  • New iPhone?
    Redo all setup steps and permissions—settings do not transfer automatically.
  • Focus mode confusion?
    Each must be customized individually—no global call exceptions.
  • Screen Time issues?
    Add Smarter Contact as “Always Allowed” or extend communication limits.

Last Resort Tips

  • Force quit and reopen the app
  • Restart your iPhone
  • Update iOS and Smarter Contact app
  • Reset all settings (keeps your data)
  • Delete and reinstall the app

If problems persist, reach out to our support. Please have your device model, iOS version, last working time, and any error messages handy.

With 💙,
Smarter Contact Team