How to extend the number of rings before your phone goes to voicemail

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay 

Do you find that your phone just doesn't ring for long enough?

This is an issue we get asked about very regularly, so I am re-publishing this article for our newer subscribers. (Not a subscriber? Subscribe here to get our great fortnightly newsletter.)

Solve this problem by extending the number of seconds that the phone rings, using a series of numbers and symbols on the phone's keypad.

Here are the instructions for each of the main Telcos:

• Telstra: **61*101** (number of seconds: 15, 20, 25 or 30) #.  Then press the call/send button.
• Optus: **61*321** (number of seconds: 15, 20, 25 or 30) #.  Then press the call/send button.
• Vodafone:  **61*121*11* (number of seconds: 15,20,25 or 30)#.  Then press the call/send button.
• Belong: See reader instructions below

Examples:  
   To extend Telstra rings to 30 seconds, enter         **61*101**30#  then the call/send button
   To extend Optus rings to 30 seconds,enter           **61*321**30#  then the call/send button
   To extend Vodafone rings to 30 seconds,enter       **61*121*11*30#  then the call/send button
​
If you have different mobile phone service provider to those listed, just try entering a Google search phrase like "extend the ring time for your mobile vodafone” (replacing 'vodafone' with the name of your mobile service provider) and find an answer to this question in the listed Google results.

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Updated 10/8/2020: Thanks for all the comments in response to this article. Below are suggestions from readers, for those who have Vodafone and Belong services.

Vodafone

​Thanks to reader Peter for the below information about Vodafone:
The Vodafone option to extend (code **61*121*11*15# ) is also available thru the MyVodafone App under;
Account Settings
Calls & Service
Call Forwarding (Acivate)
Forward to Voicemail
Activate after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 seconds.. (choose your preferred option)
SAVE SETTINGS

Belong

And thanks to reader Joe for the below information on setting this up for Belong:
"If anyone is still interested in the settings for Belong, it's the same method but you need to use the number that is in your settings for call forwarding, NOT the one listed under Voicemail. That number is 0418707111. So the code becomes: **61*0418707111** (number of seconds: 15, 20, 25 or 30) #. Then press the call/send button. You do need the zero surprisingly."