How to Change the Number of Rings Before Voicemail on Your Samsung Galaxy

Have you ever found yourself scrambling to answer a call, only to have it frustratingly switch over to voicemail before you could reach it? Or perhaps you’re on the other end, waiting seemingly forever for the phone to either be answered or go to voicemail. The number of rings your phone makes before forwarding a call to voicemail can significantly impact your communication experience. Luckily, on your Samsung Galaxy device, you have the power to adjust this setting, tailoring it to your personal preferences and needs. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to change the number of rings before voicemail on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone, covering various methods and troubleshooting tips.

Why Adjust the Number of Rings Before Voicemail?

Before we dive into the ‘how,’ let’s briefly discuss why you might want to change this setting. There are several compelling reasons:

• Personal Preference: Some people prefer a shorter ring time, ensuring they don’t feel pressured to answer immediately. Others like a longer ring time, allowing them more time to reach their phone. It’s all about what works best for you.
• Accessibility: If you have mobility issues or often carry your phone in a bag or pocket, a longer ring time might be essential to give you ample opportunity to answer the call.
• Missed Calls: A shorter ring time might result in missed calls, especially if you’re not near your phone. A longer ring time can increase the chances of you catching the call before it goes to voicemail.
• Caller Frustration: On the other hand, an excessively long ring time can frustrate callers, making them wonder if you are available. Finding a balance is key.
• Business Needs: If you use your Samsung Galaxy for business purposes, you might need specific ring time settings that align with your customer service practices. For instance, a business line might benefit from a slightly longer ring time.

Understanding the Default Settings

By default, most Samsung Galaxy phones are configured to ring for a certain number of times (usually around 4-6 rings) before automatically transferring the call to voicemail. The precise number of rings may slightly vary depending on your carrier and your phone model. The exact time equivalent of these rings typically ranges between 20 to 30 seconds. It’s important to note that you don’t usually configure the time directly, but rather the number of rings, and this is then translated into a time period.

Methods to Change the Number of Rings Before Voicemail on Samsung Galaxy

There are primarily two methods you can use to adjust the number of rings before your calls go to voicemail on your Samsung Galaxy device. The first is through accessing your carrier’s specific forwarding settings via special codes. The second, less common but sometimes applicable, is through specific built-in settings on older Samsung models. We’ll focus on the more universal method through carrier codes.

Method 1: Using Carrier Codes (Most Reliable)

This method is the most widely applicable and generally works across all mobile carriers (like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) and on all Samsung Galaxy models. This uses special USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) codes. The advantage of this method is that these settings are typically handled directly by your network provider, ensuring the changes take effect on their end. Note that this method does not change the ringtone itself, just the duration before it goes to voicemail.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Phone App: Launch the Phone app on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone. This is usually the icon that looks like a phone receiver.
2. Access the Dialer: Switch to the dialer screen, which looks like a keypad.
3. Enter the USSD Code: Enter the following code, replacing the ‘XX’ with your desired number of seconds: **61*+1(your phone number)***XX#
   • **61*: This is the code for activating conditional call forwarding.
   • +1(your phone number): Replace this with your 10-digit mobile phone number, including the country code. For the USA, it is +1 followed by your phone number. For example, if your number is 555-123-4567, you should input +15551234567. Make sure you don’t leave any spaces or dashes.
   • XX: This is where you specify the delay before forwarding to voicemail in seconds. Common values are:
   • 5: Approximately 1 ring
   • 10: Approximately 2 rings
   • 15: Approximately 3 rings
   • 20: Approximately 4 rings
   • 25: Approximately 5 rings
   • 30: Approximately 6 rings

   The maximum value you can set is typically 30 seconds. Some carriers may support slight variations, but 30 seconds is the generally accepted limit.

4. Example: For example, if you want your phone to ring for about 4 rings (20 seconds) before going to voicemail, you’d enter: **61*+15551234567***20# (replace with your actual phone number).
5. Tap the Call Button: Press the call/dial button. You don’t actually need to make a call; the code instructs your carrier to perform the task.
6. Confirmation Message: You should receive a confirmation message from your carrier (often a pop-up message) stating that the call forwarding setting was successfully activated. This message may vary depending on your carrier. If you don’t receive the message, try again, and ensure you typed the code correctly.
7. Test the Setting: To verify the change, use another phone to call your Samsung Galaxy and see if it switches to voicemail after the intended ring time.

Deactivating Call Forwarding

If you wish to revert to the default settings and disable this call forwarding, you can use the following USSD code:

##61#

Simply enter this code in your dialer and tap the call button. You’ll receive confirmation that the forwarding setting has been disabled. This restores the original behavior of your voicemail settings.

Checking the Current Setting

To see your current settings for call forwarding in this manner, enter the following code into the dialer and press the call button:

*#61#

This will give you a popup showing the current number of seconds before calls are forwarded.

Method 2: Using Samsung’s Built-in Settings (Less Common, Older Models)

On some older Samsung Galaxy models or with specific carrier customizations, there might be a built-in option to change call forwarding directly through the settings menu. This method is less commonly available on newer devices and might not be present on your phone. However, it’s worth checking in case it’s there.

Here are the steps to check if this method is available for you:

1. Open the Settings App: Launch the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy. It’s usually the gear icon.
2. Navigate to Call Settings: Depending on your Android version, this might be under “Connections”, “Apps”, or just “Call Settings” directly. You might need to dig through menus like “Call” then “Call Forwarding.”
3. Look for Voicemail Settings: Within Call settings, try finding anything like “Voicemail Settings,” “Call Forwarding”, or similar. Look for options that relate to setting how long before forwarding to voicemail.
4. Adjust if Available: If you’re fortunate enough to have this menu available, you will find a slider or a text box that allows you to set the forwarding time, usually in seconds.
5. Save Your Changes: Once you’ve set your preferred value, save the settings and exit the settings app. Test with another phone to make sure it is working as expected.

If you do not find any options to change the ring time before voicemail in this method, you can be sure that Method 1, using the carrier codes, is your solution.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes, things don’t always go as planned. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help resolve common issues when changing the number of rings before voicemail:

• Double-Check Codes: Always double-check the USSD codes and make sure you are entering your phone number correctly, without any spaces or dashes. A small error in the code can prevent the changes from being activated correctly.
• Carrier Restrictions: Some carriers might have restrictions or limitations on the use of call forwarding codes. If the USSD code method doesn’t work, contact your carrier’s customer support to inquire about these restrictions or if there’s an alternative method.
• Network Issues: If there are temporary network issues, the code might not process correctly. Try again later, after making sure your phone is connected to your network.
• Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone can often resolve minor glitches. Turn off your device, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Try changing the settings again after the restart.
• Software Updates: Ensure that your Samsung Galaxy device is running the latest version of the operating system. Outdated software can sometimes lead to issues with network-related settings. Check for updates in Settings > Software update.
• Contact Your Carrier: If none of the above solutions work, reach out to your mobile carrier’s customer support team. They can provide specific guidance and technical assistance to help configure your voicemail settings.

Conclusion

Customizing your Samsung Galaxy phone to ring the exact number of times you prefer before voicemail is a quick way to make your phone suit you. By using the carrier codes method outlined in this guide, you can easily set the exact number of seconds you would like your phone to ring before forwarding to voicemail. This simple adjustment can drastically reduce missed calls and create a better calling experience. You should now be able to change the amount of time your phone rings before a call is forwarded to voicemail. You no longer need to be frustrated by short ring times or overly long ring times, as you now have the power to control the settings to your own preferences.