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TroubleshootingCore Guide

Make sure calls ring on your phone

On Android, allow notifications, Ring on the lock screen and running in the background. On iPhone, calls ring like phone calls; allow the mic.

Written by Ori GironUpdated 3 min read
Works on
iPhone · Android
Plans
Free · Crew · Plus · Elite
Where
You › Calls › This phone

On Android, a Walkie call only rings if Android lets it through: notifications must be allowed, Ring on the lock screen must be on, and Walkie must be allowed to run in the background. Walkie checks these for you in a sheet called Make sure calls ring, and you can turn the two call settings on any time under You › Calls › This phone. On iPhone, Walkie calls ring on the phone’s own call screen, and the only thing to allow is the microphone.

Steps

Android

  1. At sign-up, if you allow notifications and lock-screen ringing is off, Walkie shows One more: Ring on the lock screen. Tap Turn on, flip the switch in Android’s settings, and come back. Walkie moves on by itself once it’s on. Skip for now leaves it off.
  2. Walkie opens the Make sure calls ring sheet by itself only when something stops calls ringing: you said no to notifications, or lock-screen ringing is off. You can also open it from a ring banner. Tap the button on each row that isn’t done:
    • Alerts from Walkie › Allow if your phone hasn’t asked yet, then allow it in Android’s dialog. If you said no before, the row shows Open Settings; allow notifications for Walkie Pro there.
    • Ring on the lock screen › Turn on, then allow it in the screen Android opens. This is the one that stops the phone ringing at all.
    • Calls in the background › Allow, then allow it in Android’s dialog.
    • Microphone › Allow (or Open Settings if you said no before).
    • Bluetooth headsets › Allow, so calls can use a headset or the truck’s audio.
  3. When every row is done, the sheet says the phone is ready, even when the screen is locked.
  4. The first time you place a call, Walkie shows Use your microphone. Tap Continue and allow the microphone. Android then asks for Bluetooth, so calls can use a headset. A Bluetooth grant works after you reopen Walkie.
  5. After your first finished call, Walkie may show Keep calls on time once. Tap Allow so Android doesn’t put Walkie to sleep and delay a call, or Not now to skip it.
  6. To check later, open You, then Calls under Calls & notifications. Under This phone, Ring on the lock screen and Calls in the background should both say On. Tap either one that says Off.

iPhone

  1. If the microphone isn’t allowed yet when you place a call, Walkie shows Use your microphone. Tap Continue and allow it.
  2. To check the microphone later, open You › Phone access.

If it didn’t work

  • A banner says Calls can’t ring on this phone. Android is blocking Ring on the lock screen. Tap the banner and turn it on.
  • A banner says Calls may not ring on this phone. More than one setting is off. Tap it to open Make sure calls ring.
  • A banner says Calls can’t use your microphone. The phone still rings, but nobody will hear you. Tap it and allow the microphone.
  • You dismissed the banner. It comes back after a day if the setting is still off. The two rows under You › Calls › This phone are there any time.
  • Ring on the lock screen doesn’t appear. It only shows on Android 14 and later. Older Android versions don’t have that setting, and the phone doesn’t need it.
  • Calls still ring late on a Samsung or other phone with its own battery saver. Check the phone’s own battery settings for Walkie Pro and set it to unrestricted, or remove it from any sleeping-apps list.

What Walkie can’t do

  • Walkie can’t switch Android’s full-screen call permission on by itself. Android only allows it from its own settings screen, which Walkie opens for you.
  • Muting notifications in Walkie never stops a call from ringing, and there’s no Walkie setting that does.
  • A web browser tab can’t ring for a Walkie call.

When to contact us

If notifications are allowed, Ring on the lock screen and Calls in the background both say On, and calls still don’t ring, email support@walkiepro.com or call +1 (323) 504-7400. Include the phone model, the Android version, the time of a call that didn’t ring, and your diagnostics from You › Help & support › Diagnostics › Copy diagnostics. We reply within one business day.

Quick answers

Which Android setting stops Walkie calls ringing at all?
On Android 14 and later, Ring on the lock screen. Without it Android throws the incoming call away, so turn on Ring on the lock screen under You › Calls › This phone.
Why do Walkie calls arrive late on Android?
Android can put Walkie to sleep to save battery. Turn on Calls in the background under You › Calls › This phone.
Do I have to do this more than once?
Usually once per phone. If Android turns a setting back off, Walkie shows a banner again.
Does an iPhone need these settings?
No. On iPhone, Walkie calls ring on the phone's own call screen. The one thing Walkie asks for is the microphone, so people can hear you.
What does the Bluetooth headsets row do?
It lets Android calls use your headset or truck audio. It doesn't affect whether the phone rings.

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