How To Extend Ring Time Before A Call Diverts To Voicemail [Verified Way]

[OldSchoolTech]

Hi guys:

This is to help anyone (like me) who needs to extend ring time before a call diverts to voicemail.

First, i am going to suggest updating your android phone with the latest android system update

EE recommend android system update (for various logical reasons): its a good idea...

Second, I have tested this method and know it works (its been posted elsewhere, but here, I am posting a logical step-by-step guide):

increase ring time before someone calling you is diverted to voicemail:

Dial *#61*11# on your keypad (you will see current ring time displayed as an "operator message")

Dial > **61*+447953222222**30# (to set ring time to 30 seconds)

> 30 seconds is max ring time, 5 seconds is minimum ring time (before whoever is calling you is diverted to voicemail)

Dial > *#61*11# again to confirm ring time set to 30 seconds.

thanks to @timsonr1 for posting a solution that actually works... 👍

the trick is:

1. use +447953222222 not 07953222222

2. to dial the + symbol (plus symbol) on an android keypad, long press 0 (you will see the + sign underneath 0 on your keypad).

hope this helps someone out there, because i've only just figured this out after many years 🙂

merry xmas 😊

[OldSchoolTech]

hi Mo843328

thanks so much for bothering to post! 💖

like yourself, i was scrambling for the phone, missing important calls from friends, family and work, before i found the solution *that really worked* 🙂

thanks, too, for contributing to the list: 👍

Current List (updated) OldSchoolTech Method:

Pixel 4 (android version 13) - Tested OK

Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo (Android Ver 6) - Tested OK

Galaxy S6 Edge (Android Ver 7) - Tested OK

LG G3 - Tested OK

HTC One M8 (Android ver 6) - Tested OK

Doro6820 - Tested OK 

kind regards, OldSchoolTech 

[RCMadShane]

Hi there…

Just an update from my experience on this… I have just got a Samsung S20 and I needed to extend my time so I could have the time to get my earbuds out and have them connect but this system alone just would not get me past the 15Sec delay no matter what I did..

However I did find a way..

First, I used this “**61*121*11*30#”   to set the 30 second timer, which worked but obviously I am now at the wrong Answer phone number… 

I then used this “**61*+447953222222*11*30#” to set the EE answer phone number and all worked fine.. 

I am just wondering if the EE answerphone number just extends the system too far past the maximum limit so it essence the end of the code is ignored ..

I hope this helps others..

SW§

[OldSchoolTech]

welcome @RCMadShane

thanks for your feed back, i am an engineer by nature. if your dial sequences (codes) work, then personally, i would use the verification technique i originally posted to ensure you do have your samsung S20 set for 30 seconds before divert to voice mail.

then i can add "Samsung S20 android" to my list of phones that *can* use this method. (phone owners appear to find this useful).

not sure why you used this code: “**61*121*11*30# initially? this may confuse readers here who cannot answer calls in time.

the correct code (dial sequence) that i (and now a few other community members) have verified is:

**61*+447953222222**30# (if you want maximum delay)

this can then be verified with an "operator message" by dialling:

*#61*11# (it displays as a simple text message).

to assist phone users, members and visitors, i'll post "screen shots" of the process soon,

so everyone can clearly see how this works. 👍

have a great summer : ☀️

kind regards, Old School Tech

[DSP1]

Hi OldSchoolTech

If I'm reading RCMadShane's post correctly, he's saying that the correct code you suggest wasn't working for him and the delay was staying at 15 seconds. What he then tried was shortening the code by replacing the correct code with **61*121*11*30# (a number sequence used by some providers to alter their answer phone delay). It would appear that entering that code actually changed the delay from 15 to 30 seconds (storing it in the SIM card). He then entered the code **61*+447953222222*11*30# to change the incorrect access number (121) stored in the SIM with the correct access number +447953222222. If that worked for RCMadShane, then it's possible that it will work for others.

It would be interesting to know if the second part of his method to change to the correct phone number could have been achieved using the normal code of **61*+447953222222**30# rather than his code of **61*+447953222222*11*30#

Thank for your contribution RCMadShane.

Kind regards DSP1

[OldSchoolTech]

hi @DSP1 

thanks for your thoughts:

 interesting aspect of this is we now know ring time length and voicemail retrieval number are stored on the SIM, and that SIM has to be functioning correctly (good contact internally) for the "set ring time" procedure to work 👍

unfortunately, RCMadShane hasnt posted to confirm this alternative method works, so hopefully he may read this, and oblige.

if method is confirmed, then i can add Samsung S20 to the list of phones : OldSchoolTech Method (for setting ring call time)

i now have Samsung S23 (myself), so i'll retest my method for setting "ring time" and update the list. 👍

blessings: oldschooltech

[RCMadShane]

Hi Guys. . . Sorry this trail got lost in my emails. . .   I will give it a go for you.. and update in a bit...  

[whitelady]

Thank you for this @OldSchoolTech .   Finally able to hear the ring, rummage around in my bag and get the phone out before it diverts.  

[airedaleline]

Hi,

I can confirm that OldSchoolTech's original method didn't work on Galaxy A32 running Android Version 13. It refused to move from the default 15 seconds.

But the revised method posted by RCMadShane did work and it is now set to 30 seconds.

[OldSchoolTech]

welcome @airedaleline 

thanks for posting us two important pieces of information 💖:

1. phone model and android version

2. which method actually works (to program your SIM correctly)

to assist phone owners, @DSP1  correctly advised these dial codes program the SIM (chip) sent to us from our network provider EE. so, if you have a new phone , or in my case, if you had to obtain a new SIM (my S23 unfortunately was stolen), then you'll have to program your SIM again, so the network knows how many seconds to ring out before diverting to voicemail.

the key to success is understanding what these dial codes can do for us 🙂

my advice would be to use my original posted method (which is a step by step guide) and includes the correct "access number" for EE voicemail. the only difference with @RCMadShane 's method is this:

**61*+447953222222*11*30# <<< this set RCmadShane's phone to ring out for 30 seconds before diverting the call to the correct "access number" for EE's voice mail service : +447953222222

remember guys: the trick is to use +447953222222 (not 07953222222) using long press on your android phone keyboard 😉

also, if you use my complete steps, you'll be able to confirm your phone is set to 30 seconds (what most of us need, so we have time to actually answer an important call)

technically, we need to know what these programmable dial codes (eg: *11*) mean to assist us program our SIMs correctly. (i'll do some digging to see if i can find out... nerdy i know, but i am an old school tech afterall 😋

merry xmas to all 2023 x

blessings: OldSchoolTech

[JezBrandon]

Huge thanks. EE said can't do it at their end but would send a code similar to yours for 30 sec ring. They did not send it. Yours worked on Motorola G6 plus. Old School Tech Rules OK!  Thanks again. Jez