It usually happens without warning. You’re in the middle of a Telegram call — the conversation is stable, audio is clear — and suddenly the call ends the moment another calling app appears on the screen. Sometimes it’s WhatsApp opening automatically. Sometimes the phone rings through another service. Other times, you simply switch apps for a second, and Telegram disconnects.
Many users assume something is broken. In reality, this behavior is often tied to how smartphones manage active calls rather than a single app malfunction. Once you understand what the phone is trying to do behind the scenes, the situation starts to make more sense — and becomes easier to manage.
What Is Actually Happening During the Drop
Modern Android phones and iPhones treat voice calls differently from normal apps. When a calling app starts or requests microphone priority, the operating system temporarily assigns exclusive access to audio resources. This includes the microphone, speaker routing, and sometimes network priority.
Telegram calls rely on continuous audio permission. When another calling app opens — even before you answer — the system may assume a new call is about to take over. To prevent audio conflicts, it pauses or terminates the existing call session.
From the phone’s perspective, it is avoiding two apps trying to control the same audio channel at once. From the user’s perspective, it feels abrupt.
Why This Happens More Often Than Users Expect
Several small behaviors can trigger this without users realizing it.
Incoming Call Services Compete for Priority
Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or carrier-based Wi-Fi calling register themselves as communication services. The moment one activates, the system prepares to hand control over — even if you never answer the call.
Background Call Detection
Some apps constantly monitor incoming communication events. Opening them manually can briefly activate call readiness mode, which signals the operating system to shift audio focus.
System-Level Audio Protection
Phones are designed to prevent overlapping voice streams because echo, feedback, or microphone conflicts can occur. Ending the older call is often the safest automated decision.
This is why the issue appears across both Android and iPhone devices. It’s less about Telegram itself and more about shared system rules.
Things Worth Checking First
Before assuming a deeper system problem, a few simple checks often reveal the cause.
Active Calling Permissions
If multiple apps have full microphone and call permissions enabled, the phone may aggressively switch priority between them. Reviewing which apps truly need call access can reduce unexpected handovers.
Default Calling App Settings
Some phones allow one app to act as the preferred calling service. When another app opens, the system may automatically promote it above Telegram.
Floating Call or Pop-Up Features
Many communication apps use floating call windows or overlays. These overlays sometimes trigger call priority even when you only glance at a notification.
Users often notice the problem starting after installing a new messaging app — a detail that’s easy to overlook.
Practical Actions That Often Help
These adjustments don’t force the phone to behave unnaturally, but they reduce unnecessary interruptions.
Limit Background Activity for Secondary Calling Apps
If you rarely use certain calling apps, restricting their background activity prevents them from requesting audio focus unexpectedly.
Avoid Opening Another Calling App During Active Calls
Even briefly checking messages inside another communication app can signal a potential call transition. Staying within Telegram during calls helps maintain stability.
Disable Automatic Call Integration Features
Some devices merge app calls with the system dialer interface. Turning off integrated calling features (when available in normal settings) can stop apps from competing for control.
Keep Telegram Updated
Updates often improve how apps negotiate audio focus with the operating system. Compatibility fixes are common, especially after major Android or iOS updates.
If you’re unsure how apps share device resources, understanding storage and system behavior differences can also help clarify why apps compete for control. This explanation of RAM versus storage and how phones manage tasks gives helpful context.
When the Behavior Is Actually Normal
There are situations where Telegram disconnecting is expected.
If your phone receives a cellular call, emergency communication, or a system-priority VoIP request, the operating system will almost always end the existing internet call. This is intentional. Phones are designed to prioritize the newest or highest-priority communication channel.
It may feel inconvenient, but it prevents missed urgent calls.
External Factors That Can Make It Worse
Sometimes the drop is not caused by app competition alone.
Network Switching
When the phone shifts between Wi-Fi and mobile data while another calling app opens, Telegram may fail to reestablish the connection quickly enough.
Aggressive Battery Optimization
Some devices reduce background activity during heavy multitasking. If another communication app launches, Telegram may be treated as a lower-priority process.
Cloud Sync and Storage Activity
Heavy syncing tasks can temporarily affect real-time communication stability. If you’re curious how online storage activity interacts with app performance, this guide on cloud storage versus local storage behavior explains why background processes sometimes interfere with live apps.
What Improvement Usually Looks Like
After adjusting permissions or limiting competing apps, users typically notice fewer sudden disconnections rather than a perfect elimination of the issue. Occasional drops may still occur when higher-priority calls arrive, and that’s normal system behavior.
The goal isn’t to force Telegram to override the operating system — it’s to reduce unnecessary triggers that make the phone think a new call should replace the current one.
Once competing apps stop requesting audio control at the same time, Telegram calls usually remain stable for everyday conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean Telegram is less reliable than other calling apps?
Not necessarily. Most calling apps follow the same system audio rules, but the one already active is often the one that gets disconnected when another requests priority.
Why does the call drop even if I don’t answer the second call?
The system prepares resources before you answer. That preparation alone can interrupt the existing call session.
Can weak internet cause the same behavior?
Yes. If a new app opens while the connection briefly fluctuates, Telegram may fail to maintain the call and disconnect at the same moment.