How to Change the Number of Rings on iPhone

The ability to adjust the number of rings before your iPhone diverts to voicemail offers a surprising degree of control over your mobile experience. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t provide a direct setting within the iOS interface to control this. The workaround involves using a special code entered into the iPhone’s dialer.

To change the number of rings on your iPhone, you’ll need to use a Mobile Network Code (MNC) command. This involves dialing a specific sequence on your phone, which essentially instructs your carrier to delay forwarding unanswered calls to voicemail. The number of rings is set by specifying a delay in seconds. Each ring typically lasts approximately six seconds.

Here’s the process:

1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the dialer (keypad).
3. Enter the following code: *61*[Your 10-Digit Phone Number]*11*[Number of Seconds]#
   • Replace [Your 10-Digit Phone Number] with your actual phone number, including the area code, without spaces or dashes.
   • Replace [Number of Seconds] with the desired delay in seconds. You can typically choose a value between 5 and 30 seconds. Remember that each ring is about 6 seconds, so to get 5 rings, you’d use 30 seconds.
4. Tap the Call button.
5. You should see a confirmation message on your screen, usually starting with “Registration successful”. This indicates that the command was processed correctly.

After successfully entering the code, test the new settings by calling your iPhone from another phone. Observe the number of rings before the call diverts to voicemail. If necessary, repeat the process with a different time value to achieve your preferred number of rings.

This method relies on Conditional Call Forwarding, a feature provided by mobile carriers. This means that the availability and functionality of this code can vary based on your carrier and geographic location. Some carriers may have slightly different codes or may not support this functionality at all. If the code doesn’t work, contacting your carrier directly is the best course of action. They may be able to adjust the number of rings on their end, or provide you with the correct code for their network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

H2 General Questions

H3 1. Why would I want to change the number of rings before voicemail?

Changing the number of rings allows you to control how long your phone rings before a call is forwarded to voicemail. This can be useful in various scenarios. If you tend to answer calls quickly, you might want fewer rings. Conversely, if you’re often occupied or need more time to reach your phone, a longer ringing time allows you a better chance to answer before the call is redirected. This is especially helpful if you have a larger home, a busy work environment, or simply want to avoid missing important calls. Ultimately, it gives you more control over your communication experience.

H3 2. Is there an official iPhone setting to change the number of rings?

No, Apple does not provide a built-in setting within the iOS operating system to directly control the number of rings before voicemail. The method described above, using carrier-specific codes, is the standard workaround. It’s important to note that this is not an official feature controlled directly by Apple, but rather a function of your mobile carrier’s network settings.

H3 3. Will this method work with all iPhone models?

Yes, the method described above generally works with all iPhone models. The key factor isn’t the specific iPhone model, but rather the carrier you’re using and whether they support conditional call forwarding via the mentioned code. The underlying technology for call management is the same across different iPhone models.

H2 Technical Details

H3 4. What does the code *61*[Your 10-Digit Phone Number]*11*[Number of Seconds]# actually do?

This code is a Mobile Network Code (MNC) command used to set up conditional call forwarding. Specifically, it configures the delay before unanswered calls are forwarded to voicemail. Let’s break it down:

• *61*: This is the code that initiates conditional call forwarding.
• [Your 10-Digit Phone Number]: This specifies the phone number where unanswered calls should be forwarded – in this case, your own voicemail.
• *11*: This is a separator and also indicates that a delay time will be specified.
• [Number of Seconds]: This defines the delay in seconds before the call is forwarded. As discussed earlier, about 6 seconds equal a ring.
• #: This is the termination character, signaling the end of the code.

The carrier’s network interprets this code and configures the call forwarding settings accordingly.

H3 5. How do I determine the correct number of seconds to enter?

The duration of each ring is approximately 6 seconds. Therefore, to calculate the appropriate number of seconds, multiply the desired number of rings by 6.

• 3 rings: 3 rings * 6 seconds/ring = 18 seconds
• 4 rings: 4 rings * 6 seconds/ring = 24 seconds
• 5 rings: 5 rings * 6 seconds/ring = 30 seconds

Start with a value and test it. You can always adjust it later.

H3 6. What if I enter the code incorrectly?

If you enter the code incorrectly, the carrier network will likely display an error message, such as “Invalid MMI code” or “Connection problem or invalid MMI code”. This indicates that the code was not recognized and the settings were not changed. Carefully re-enter the code, ensuring all characters are correct and that you’ve replaced the placeholders with your actual phone number and desired delay in seconds.

H2 Troubleshooting

H3 7. The code doesn’t seem to be working. What should I do?

If the code is not working, consider the following:

• Double-check the code: Ensure you’ve entered the code correctly, including your phone number and the number of seconds.
• Verify carrier compatibility: Contact your mobile carrier to confirm that they support this method of adjusting the number of rings and that the code is correct for their network.
• Check for network issues: Sometimes, temporary network issues can prevent the code from being processed. Try again later.
• Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.
• Contact your carrier: If none of the above steps work, your carrier may need to manually adjust the number of rings on their end.

H3 8. Will changing the number of rings affect other call forwarding settings?

Generally, changing the number of rings using this method affects only conditional call forwarding – specifically, forwarding calls when you don’t answer. It shouldn’t affect other call forwarding settings, such as forwarding all calls, forwarding when busy, or forwarding when unreachable. However, it’s always a good idea to test all your call forwarding settings after making any changes to ensure they are working as expected.

H3 9. How do I reset the number of rings to the default setting?

To reset the number of rings to the default setting (which is usually determined by your carrier), you need to disable the conditional call forwarding you set up. The code to deactivate conditional call forwarding is typically ##61#. Dial this code and press call. You should receive a confirmation message. This will remove the custom delay, and your calls will then be forwarded to voicemail based on your carrier’s default settings.

H2 Carrier Specifics

H3 10. Does this method work with all mobile carriers (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile)?

While the general principle is the same, the specific codes and the availability of this feature can vary between mobile carriers. The code *61*[Your 10-Digit Phone Number]*11*[Number of Seconds]# is a fairly common standard, but some carriers might use slightly different codes or may not support this functionality at all.

It’s always best to check with your specific carrier to confirm the correct code and whether they support adjusting the number of rings before voicemail. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information for their network.

H3 11. Are there any alternatives if my carrier doesn’t support this method?

If your carrier doesn’t support adjusting the number of rings via code, you can still try contacting their customer support and requesting them to manually adjust the setting on their end. Some carriers might offer this as a service, even if they don’t provide a self-service code. As an alternative, consider using a third-party voicemail service that offers more customizable settings, including the ring duration. However, this would involve changing your voicemail provider, which might have other implications.

H3 12. Could changing the number of rings affect my battery life?

The impact on battery life from changing the number of rings is negligible. The call forwarding process itself is handled by the carrier’s network, not by your iPhone continuously waiting for a specific number of rings. The power consumption related to a few extra seconds of ringing is minimal and won’t noticeably affect your iPhone’s battery performance.