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

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay 

(Authors' note: This article was initially published several years ago - back in 2017 - and is one of the most frequently accessed articles if the iTandCoffee blog. We feature it again in May 2022, with updates included from various readers of the blog over the years.)

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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Updates: Thanks for all the comments in response to this article.

It should be noted that the above codes will deal with calls that are not answered. Different codes apply if you are looking to divert to voicemail on 'busy' or 'unavailable'. As an example, for Telstra calls to divert to voicemail if you are on the phone, key in **67*101# then the call/send button. For Optus, key **67*321# and the call/send button.

Below are suggestions from readers, for those who have Vodafone and Belong services.

Vodafone ​(updated 10/8/2020)

​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 (information provided 26/2/2022)

Thanks to Jeremy for the below information on setting this up for Belong:
"I just had an email conversation with their support and they currently only offer 3 options:

• Voice2text after 15 seconds, or
• They will cancel that for you manually so you get 30 seconds but then it rings out, or
• If you have a medical condition or disability that makes you slow at answering they will extend your ring time to 30s before it goes to Voice2 Text."