I’m going to start an iPhone Q & A series, where I post some of the questions readers send me by email. Today’s question:
Kathy writes:
is there any way to make iphone ring longer?
Answer:
Even if your iPhone ringtone is 30 seconds long, your iPhone rings for only 20 seconds by default. To get your iPhone to ring for 30 seconds, instead of the standard 20-second ring, follow the steps below:
- Dial *#61# and touch Call.
- Jot down the phone number displayed on the screen. This is where your voicemail calls are directed to (as shown in the screenshot below).
- Dial **61*(THE NUMBER YOU WROTE DOWN)**30# and press Call.
Your iPhone should now ring longer — that is, for the full 30-second duration of your ringtone. To verify that your voicemails are still being sent to the correct place, repeat step 1 and check that the phone number matches.
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Fantastic, worked first time. Was 3 rings, now 7 rings. Wish I had tried this a long time ago. Thank you
I have an iPhone 4s with Vodafone. I have managed to lengthen the ring time in the UK but when in Europe it will only ring one and a half times before cutting off. Any ideas?
Fantastic. Worked first time thank you.
Followed the steps and worked perfectly on my Iphone 4S with Telstra in Australia! Just remember though that you do need to put the +614 etc at the start not just 0407 or 614 the + sign needed to be there for mine to work! Thanks for this !!!
At Stage 2 my screen says ‘disabled’ even though I have call forwarding set to ‘on’. So no number appears ……….. what to do please?
Followed the instructions and it worked like a charm on my IPhone 4s. Thanks for the TIP!!!
Thanks it worked for me.
thanks. worked perfectly.
Thanks so much. Very pleased. To finally extend my ringtone. Cracked it first time!
How to make my text message alert longer
The ringtone is longer but like others my voicemail has become obsolete.Youve gotta get us out of this mess. The voicemail is used for work availability,without it l am in trouble and would need to change the phone which cost enough as it was. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllp!!!
I tried this with my iPhone 4S and it won’t work!
Thanks for this – the first time I tried it, my phone rang for longer but then gave a message saying ‘optus regrets to advise you this number is disconnected’ instead of it kicking into my voicemail- I went back in and took one of the other persons advice and subsititued the +61 for a 0 instead – worked like a dream the next time round so thanks for that additional post Bren. (so just to reiterate, this is what worked for me – **61*0…**31#
Thanks a Ton for sharing your method. I used “0″ instead of “61″ n it worked like a dream. Cheers!
Yay! Finally have a chance to answer my ph rather than having to return calls. Like another said, why can’t this be done via Settings??
Soooooo,
If youre VM starts to forward to a random, unexpecting and soon to be irritated cell phoner,
to undo your fiddlings just touch
##61#
then touch call.
it will say something setting “…. erasure …” and everything will be back to normal.
(won’t erase your phone or email don’t worry)
phew
NOW LEAVE IT ALONE!! call your carrier they can adjust the ringtone length e-z mafckin p-z.
Arthur on the other end was NOT happy with me and my cohorts.
also, we are the 100th comment!!! OMFG!!! ACES!
hi i have a iphone 3g when someone rings me i can’t hear it can someone help me please
Many thanks for your tips on extending the ring tone but i don’t want or have voicemail
how do i stop my ph saying to ppl that ring me that they can retrieve their msg’s & the ph #.
My carrier was supposed to of fixed all this but it still persists. My phone will still only ring
4 times before it goes to a voice activated msg.
I tried this several times, but the call ends without displaying anything.
it really works! it does what it says.
but I tried it again and changed it to 24sec..now my simcard is not working..can’t recieve calls or make calls and no signal at all(no service).. how do I go back…help me plz..
Worked perfectly. Many thanks.
I have a ringtone chime that Im trying to loop at least once or twice and cant find anything online to loop the ringtone and save it with loop; any advice on how to loop ringtone?
This worked perfectly the first time on my 3G and the wife’s 4S. Thanks for the fantastic info.
-Rudolf
thanks! It worked fabulously!
I am with Telstra and lost my voice mail? Any ideas?
What happens when the phone number does not match? How do I UNDO the command – my voice mail is being diverted to I do not who!
GREAT ADVICE! It worked. Never tested it before, but it just never seemed quite long enough. I timed the ring this time and it was 30 sec. long. Is there any way to get it even longer? Sometimes if my phone is at the bottom of my purse I can never dig it out on time! LOL
thx
I can’t hear incoming calls without using speaker. Do I have a setting wrong?
Wow, that worked great. I often sit and wonder what it would take to get that smart. How do you do it? It never ceases to absolutely amaze me the things that yall know how to do. Keep it up. Jeez!
How about this for a concepto—LET THE FCKER RING FOREVER!!!!!
Seriously, I HATE voicemail. If I don’t answer the phone, consider me OFF THE HOOK on having to return your call. BALL’S STILL IN YOUR COURT, pal.
Thank u
thanks for the help that worked
Thanks for this advice. No more mad scrambling in the handbag.
The following worked for my iPhone. Went from 3 rings to 7 rings.
*#61# gives you ” your number”
Then **61* “your number” but subtract the “+” then **30# press call
Thanks Diane,Following your instructions was what actually worked for me too. Thanks so much for making it clearer.
Regards Perri
Scott
Thank you. This worked for My IPhone 4S with AT&T in NC. I even called AT&T and the told me that my max was 20 second. Usually after 3.5 rings it goes to mailbox.
Thank you again.
Hi thanks for you help with regard to my iphone ringing longer. Ended up just calling virgin and they went through it with me. All the other info that I needed was found on this website and is much appreciated.
Thanks, but now how do i get my iphone to ring louder? I have it set as loud as possible, but it is not loud enough. Thanks
Easy to do. My phone before only rung 3 times and I could never get to it in time, but now it rings for 40 seconds! Was worried it would affect my voicemail after seeing some reviews but everything ok. It does seem crazy you can’t just go to settings to sort this tho!
Thanks!
I have just call vodafone 191 they have reset my voicemail for me then they gave me a code **61*121*10*30# works a treat!!!!! I now have fully functioning voicemail after a lovely 30 ringtone. Thank you vodafone. Why didn’t I just call you first is a mystery¿!
I now have no voice mail, tried using 0 insted of +44 but it won’t work, this is not good! How can I change it back? I need my voicemail!!!!! Help
thanks bren typing the 0 in fixed my voice mail good thinking**********
I did this and now my calls are all being forwarded to someone’s number that keeps yelling at all my friends when I don’t answer!! Help?!?
The initial message said:
Setting Interrogation
Succeeded
Voice Call Forwarding
When Unanswered
Fowards to +(and then the lady’s #)
Enabled
Setting Interrogation
Succeeded
Data Call Forwarding
When Unanswered
Disabled
Setting Interrogation
Succeeded
Fax Call Forwarding
When Unanswered…..
And I went into settings and it said call forwarding is off..please help!?!?
HEY!!! I had the same problem. Don’t worry this is how to solve it.
all u have to do is touch
##61#
then call
it will say something setting “…. erasure …” and everything will be back to normal.
(won’t erase your phone or email don’t worry)
phew
Arthur on the other end was NOT happy with me and my friends either.
also, we are the 100th comment!!! OMFG!!! ACES!
Yaye! now my iCarly ringtone plays the song instead of cutting it off before it ends – PLUS – I actually have time to answer the phone now
worked perfectly, thanks very much
Guys the solution is dial *#61#
then get the number that apears on the screen
for example uk +441234567890
vodafone 121
memorize your number than dial
*61*memorized no*11*30#
if you want it to ring shorter replace 30 with the desired no eg 5#,10#,15#,20#,25#
thats it very simple
, worked a treat for me the firs time i tried , now i can enjoy my ring tone as a full
Thanks a bunch! … works for my new iphone 4.
I followed the instructions and the ring tone us longer but when it rings out voicemail doesnt work
process didn’t work!!
For Telstra costomers
The default ring time setting is 15 seconds. You can extend the ring time before the call gets diverted to MessageBank by pressing the following sequence on your mobile phone:
* * 61 * 1 0 1 * * (number of seconds: 15, 20, 25 or 30) #
and press SEND or CALL.
IMPORTANT – The number of seconds must be in five second increments.
For example, to set the ring time to 25 seconds before it diverts to MessageBank, you would enter the following key sequence into your phone:
* * 6 1 * 1 0 1 * * 2 5 #
and press SEND or CALL.
A simple answer to something I have been meaning to do for ages. It worked perfectly for me, thank you!
Thanks heaps!
Perfect, thanks for the tip on extending the ring time on the IPhone. Worked perfectly.
It worked!!! Thank you so very much. The 3 rings and then to voice mail was so annoying. I really don’t like voicemail so this has been a godsend.
Thank you, worked easily
Hahaha! Ok, ok…I admit I was a bit crabby that night….I apologize for my inappropriate bitchiness. Thank you for doing the research on that, it’s much appreciated, especially since I asked so nicely
Have a good night!
I’m pretty annoyed with these answers, since I was the one who originally asked this question. I wasn’t asking how to make the phone ring LONGER, I wanted to know how to make my phone have FEWER RINGS before it goes to voice mail. I’ve asked people at AT&T stores and they said they didn’t know. I have customers who call me, but I think often get tired of waiting for the voice mail to pick up after 8, 9….10 rings, and so just hang up without leaving a message. So my question is, does anyone out there know how to make the iphone ring FEWER times before going to voice mail?
Sorry you’re annoyed, Elizabeth. However, you were not the one who originally asked this question. As you can see above, it was a reader named Kathy, who has already thanked me for helping her solve her problem. In regards to your question, I did some searching for the answer (since you asked so nicely) but could not figure it out. I’m not sure there is a way to make your iPhone have fewer rings.
Well played sir
Thanks You so Much.
Ever you have to hold down 0 for the + to come up.
Worked on iphone 3gs
Work great ur a star now I can get to my fone b4 it rings off
Yay!! It worked, thanks so much..Im in AU on the TPG/Optus network, you have to hold down the 0 for a few seconds until the + appears and away you go!!
worked great for me too. thanks heaps.. no probs with voicemail or anything else for that matter….yet anyway
ok it works great but what if i want to have a 40 second ringtone. is it possible? should i just substitute the 30 for 40 at the end?
yep – how easy to change things that are annoying
I found it stuffed up your voicemail if you entered exactly that number you get when you dial *#61# (To get your Voicemail forwarding number). I tried entering **61* +614…… **30# and it changed my voicemail (It didn’t work any more), but later on I figured out that if you type 0 for the +61 when you’re entering the number after **61* it worked. Example:(+61 = 0)then enter in the rest of the number and then followed by **30#… For some people I think the other method won’t screw up your voicemail but I know that for some people it will and hopefully this will help.
Thanks, Bren. I too had lost my message bank. I’m really glad you had the solution to my problem!!
Cheers
Trish
Hey, I just tried this on my iPhone and it gives me an error:
Error performing request
No Network Service
Setting Interrogation Failed
Voice Call Forwarding
When Unanswered
it continues like that.
I’m with Virgin on a pre-paid sim, the phone is 2nd hand and i definitely have service, however it says OPTUS next to my service bar. I’m definitely with virgin and definitely have service.
Hiya I was just wondering if their’s a way i can undo the code as I think it’s messing with my voice mails. Thanks
OMG! Works like a charm. Thank you so much!
Thank you much happier with my iPhone
Thanks so much that worked great!
Thank you so much. It worked for me.
Thanks this worked perfectly now i can actually make it to my phone when it rings haha
I was wondering how to do just the opposite and make the phone ring for less time before going to vm. Is there a way to do this? I would LOVE to know how!!!
Thanks!
Hi Shana
When inputing the ‘forwards to number’ then the**30 Hash. (sorry,can’t find the hash symbol on my keyboard)
The 30 indicates the number of seconds the phone rings until its diverted to answerphone. Try put in **15 hash. This will halve the ring time.
Thank you sooooo much. Great knowledge and easily understood. You’ve saved me! I get so annoyed at my phone when i dont reach it in time, which is like, NEVER.
Thanks, much appriciated.
step is incorrect:
should be:
3. Dial *#61*(THE NUMBER YOU WROTE DOWN)**30# and press Call.
Thx a bunch. This worked like a charm!!! Now my iphone rings for long and I can enjoy the ringtone. The first time I got a “send request error” was because I didn’t put in the **61* and instead did *#61* for the step 2.
brilliant!
Thank you sooooo much!! This works a dime!! My ring tone lasts the full amount of time now!! Thank you sooo much!! =)
Amazing! Now I can have my Google Voice calls go to GV voicemail rather than the phone voicemail! Thanks a bunch!
Now my iphone cannot send out sms, coz of my service provider change message setting number. They give me the number , but i dot know where to change at my iph. Could you please tell me? Thz
Since I use this for work, now I will be able to answer clients. Brilliant work mate.
P.S. worked once I figured out the + issue
Just wanted to say thanks. This has been by far one of the most useful things I’ve ever learned about my iPhone. I thought I was the only one who wanted to know this until I typed my question into to Google and found this answer. I don’t know how you knew how to do this this but very useful indeed.
It worked the first time for me and after reading some comments about people having difficulty, remember to dial **61* (then the number you received after the first dial) followed by **30# DON’T TYPE THE + INTO THE NUMBER… At least I didn’t and it worked for me.
And now I can listen to my FULL ring-tone :]
yeah worked first time for me on Telstra 3G/Next G network!
Hi Guys
Got an iPhone 32Gig 3Gs, 40 second ring tone.
Tried the above over and over, with the “+”, and without, but still keep getting `’error performing request”.
Please can someone help.
Hi Rui,
Try with “00″ instead of the “+” – it should work !
Gud luck !
fantastic. Thanks
Great advice – many thanks. This procedure worked for me in Australia on the 3 network and means I may be able to extract my phone from my bag before all my calls divert to voicemail!
awesome thanks a lot
Yipee! Now I will be able to get my phone out of my briefcase and answer it before it goes to voice mail. Many Thanks!
Yeah, I used 40 at the end and it now rings for 40 seconds before going to message bank.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFO!
First time i’ve heard my full ringtone.
thanks got the extra 10 secs.
but now there is no voicemail.
i followed instructiona correctly.
please help.
rgds george…..
Always wanted to do this!!!
Worked like a charm!!!
THANKS!!
worked for me, thanks
Thanks so much- worked for me here in Australia on the Virgin/Optus network just used the dial voicemail number (212) as the number inserted in the code and it worked perfectly. Thanks again!!!
Thank You Very Much !
I’ve been trying to fix this forever.
I wasn’t going to pay Apple for something that should be in the manual ! ! !
There was a bit of confusion of whether to enter the + sign before the number -
I did not put it in, and everything seems to be working fine.
Again, thank you !
This worked great for me. If your getting an error, you might want to make sure your imputting the code in correct. I got error first time, but, when I checked the code I was putting in, I had done the incorrect code. Thanks, now I don’t have to about break my neck trying to get to my phone and answering it before it quits ringing and go to my voice mail.
worked as you said, excellent
Is the **30# for the 30 seconds? Assuming that is correct, do I enter **20# to change back to 20 seconds?
Aww thankyou so much!!! This site has really helped me, explains everything perfectly in step by step!
You are the man! Like Teddy says, now you actually have time to answer your phone.
I did this and followed the information correctly. My phone does ring now for 30 seconds but instead of going to my voicemail it beeps three times. What is going on?
i did it and it worked but it made when ppl called they cldnt leave a message it wld make a busy noise whats up wit that
Worked for me, many thanks. Only problem I had was working out how to get the +, had to hold down the 0 for a few seconds (never needed the + before). One question – it showed voice call forwarding, data call forwarding and fax call forwarding – all showing as changed. Is this normal/correct?
Just got the 32bg 3Gs and this worked first time. We then did my partners and iw orked firs time for her aswell….. THANKYOU !!!!!
worked perfect for me, just don’t put the 1 before the area code and your set, much luv.
my phone states
setting registration succeeded
fax call forwarding when unanswered
data call forwarding when unanswered
voice calls forwarding when unansweredsetting registration succeeded SMS call forwarding
i thought this was to make the ring last longer/louder???
Please advise
What worked for me was:
1. *#61# = Your Number
2. Then dial **61*Your Number**30#
Awesome!!!
i did everything and its say error please help
THIS DID NOT WORK FOR ME IDK WHY I DID EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. HELPPPPP
This tip is awesome!!! the extra 10 seconds actually allows you to answer.
FINALLY!!!
Now, why isn’t this a setting in Settings? My old Razr could change the ring time easily. I’ve been beating my head against the wall trying to do it with my iPhone. Even AT&T doesn’t seem to know how to do it…
worked first time,thanks.Now to try to make the ring louder!