Understanding ‘Cancelled Call’ on iPhone: Troubleshooting Guide

We all know that when a receiver doesn’t pick up the call, it shows as a missed call in our phone’s call log. But are the canceled calls in our log’s history and missed calls the same? 

Well, the answer is no; the canceled calls are the type of ongoing calls that are cut by the caller before even the receiver can pick up. There are many causes behind canceled calls. Whether due to weak and dropping signals or technical glitches, the call can be disconnected before it can reach the recipient’s phone. 

However, missed calls are the calls that are never picked up by the recipient due to many reasons, like the phone being switched off due to battery problems or it being on silent mode. Even the canceled calls appear as missed calls on the recipient’s phone log.

But, hold up for a second, “What does canceled calls mean on Facetime? What if you call your friend on Facetime, and they decline the call? Are they canceled calls or missed calls?

Well, to know the answer, give this article a thorough read till the end. Let’s get started! 

What Does Canceled Call Mean on iPhone Call Log? 

A canceled call in your phone’s log is an indication of a disconnected call by the caller. In simple words, it is the call that was terminated by the caller before it could be picked up by the receiver or it could even reach the recipient’s phone. 

Moreover, even if you cut the call before it can be picked up and it goes to the voicemail, it will still be listed as a canceled call in the log. 

And if you see these calls’ status in your phone’s call log, it will appear as canceled calls. However, these calls will show as missed calls in the receiver’s log. 

What is a Canceled Call on iPhone: Evaluating 3 Possible Reasons

1. Weak Network Signals

The biggest reason for iPhone calls canceled immediately is the weak or unavailability of cellular network signals. 

Suppose you are in a location far from the network tower, and your iPhone’s cellular signals are weak. And if you make a call with such a network situation, not only will the signals keep dropping in the middle of the call, but there is a chance that your call never reaches the recipient’s phone.

So, as the call is getting cut down due to a cellular problem before it can reach the receiver’s phone, it will appear as a canceled call in your call’s log history and as a missed call in the recipient’s phone. 

2. Receiver’s Phone is Off or on Do-not-disturb Mode

If you are trying to call a person whose iPhone is switched off due to low battery or any other reason, or they have put their phone on do-not-disturb mode, your call will not connect, resulting in showing as a canceled call in your phone log. 

In such a situation, your call will be directed to voicemail, indicating that the receiver is not available at the moment. 

However, the forwarding calls also direct to the operator’s voice mail, and if they are not answered, they will also show as canceled calls in the iPhone’s call history. 

3. Call Exceeds Time Limit 

The call time refers to the maximum limit to which a call can be carried out between the caller and the receiver. If the call time exceeds this time limit, the network will automatically cut down the call. The time limit varies from network to network. 

So, if the call time exceeds, the network will cut down the call, showing it as a canceled call in your iPhone’s call history log. 

However, the calls may drop in between because of low battery as your phone may cut it down to save battery. In that case, this call will also appear as a canceled call in the history. 

How to Fix the Canceled Calls on iPhone?

1. Move Where Strong Signals are Present

As the weak signals can quickly disconnect the calls, consider moving to a location where strong and uninterrupted network signals are present, as in the picture above. 

For strong signals, you can move to an open or outdoor area. Moreover, if you have another network option with better signal strength, consider switching to it. 

Another method for improving your network’s signal strength is by putting your phone on the airplane for a while. 

As the airplane mode turns off all the external network aspects of the phone, it provides an instant boost to the network signals, providing great calling experience. 

2. Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings

If your network’s signals are still weak or keep dropping, it’s time to reset your phone’s network settings. 

To reset, go to the settings of your iPhone, scroll down to the “General” option and click on it. 

In general, you will see an option of “Reset Network Settings.” Click on it. It will ask for your confirmation. Click on the confirm button, and then your network setting will be reset within a few minutes. 

What is the Difference Between an Outgoing Call And a Canceled Call iPhone? 

The major difference between an outgoing call and a canceled call on your iPhone is that the outgoing call successfully connects with the recipient network, and your receiver answers it.

Whereas the canceled call appears in the log history when you make a call that disconnects before reaching the receiver’s phone. 

Suppose you are calling your friend, and they pick up your phone, and you have a complete conversation with them without dropping or recalling; it is an outgoing call. It means that your iPhone made a call to a number, and the recipient successfully answered it. 

However, if you make a call to your friend and your network’s signals drop, resulting in a cutting down of your call before it can even reach your friend’s phone, in this situation, the call will be termed as a canceled call. 

The outgoing calls have various outcomes, depending on the response of the receiver. If your receiver picks the call, it will be a successful call. 

However, if you keep calling the recipient, but they don’t pick up your call, it will appear as a missed call in the log. Similarly, if they cut the call, it will be shown as a declined call in the log. 

Does Canceled Call Mean They Declined Facetime? 

Let’s suppose for a second, you made a call to your besties on Facetime, but your Wi-Fi signals were weak or dropping off continuously, and you didn’t connect with them. And now, your call is showing as a canceled call in your history log. 

But you are assuming that your friend cut down this call, and now you are looking for an answer to “Does a canceled call mean they declined my Facetime?” 

Well, in simple words, the answer is no, a canceled call doesn’t mean they have declined your call on Facetime. 

Similar to simple calling services, a canceled call is a call that is disconnected before it can reach the recipient’s phone. It could be due to weak signals, lack of network, low battery, or any other technical problems. 

Does Canceled Call Mean Blocked Number? 

If you think about whether the canceled calls indicate if the receiver blocks me, then the answer is no, canceled calls don’t mean blocked numbers.

If you call a person who has blocked your number, your call will be redirected to their voicemail after a few rings. Moreover, if you keep trying to call and you receive the operator’s voicemail off, “the number you are trying to reach is unavailable,” it also indicates you are being blocked by the receiver. 

However, it could be due to switching off the phone or because of the do-not-disturb mode. Therefore, for assurance, make sure you try to call the person multiple times at different times, giving them a chance to pick up your call or answer you back. 

However, a canceled call indicates that the calls are hung up even before they can reach the recipient’s phone.