How to turn off incoming calls on Android, keeping the Internet: a complete guide

In some situations, you need to temporarily block incoming calls on your smartphone Android, but at the same time maintain access to mobile data. For example, during an important online conference, exam, sleep or work in do not disturb mode. The standard disabling of the mobile network through the notification panel (Airplane mode) also breaks the Internet connection, which is not always convenient.

In this article we will look 5 proven methodshow to disable only voice calls, leaving 4G/5G active for instant messengers, mail and other online services. The methods work on most devices - from Samsung Galaxy to Google Pixel i Xiaomi Redmi, including smartphones with clean Android and proprietary shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS). You will also learn how to avoid accidentally blocking important calls and what to do if the Internet is lost after the changes.

Why you can’t just turn on “Airplane Mode”

Many users try to solve the problem by activating Airplane mode (or "Airplane Mode") in the notification shade. However, this method has critical drawbacks:

• 📵 Complete network shutdown: along with calls, the mobile data also disappears, and Wi-Fi must be turned on manually.
• ⚡ Increased battery consumption: when the mode is frequently switched, the smartphone spends additional energy searching for a network.
• 🔄 Inconvenience: you have to constantly turn the mode on/off if you need to temporarily receive a call.

Moreover, on some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) After exiting airplane mode, mobile data is restored with a delay of up to 30 seconds. And if you use VoLTE (voice communication over 4G), then you risk missing an important call due to a failure in switching between networks.

Method 1: Using the Do Not Disturb (DND) mode

The most universal method is to activate the mode Do not disturb (Do Not Disturb, DND) with setting exceptions. This method works on all versions Android from 6.0 and higher, including the latest updates Android 14.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration (or Notifications on some devices).
2. Select Do not disturb.
3. Activate the slider Enable now.
4. Click Schedule or rules → Add rule → Event.
5. In section Calls select No one or Only selected contacts.
6. Make sure that in the section Notifications Display allowed Silent notifications (for instant messengers).

The advantage of this method is flexibility. You can:

• 🕒 Set up automatic activation according to a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
• 🔕 Allow repeated calls from one number within 15 minutes (useful for emergencies).
• 📱 Leave sound alerts for alarms and media.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi s MIUI 14 i Samsung One UI 5.1 in mode DND is blocked by default all notifications, including messages in WhatsApp and Telegram. To avoid this, in the rule settings, select Sound notifications only → Allow silent notifications.

Method 2: Blocking calls through settings SIM cards

If your smartphone supports dual SIM cards (or even one), you can disable voice calls directly in the mobile network settings. This method does not affect the Internet connection, since the data is transmitted over a separate channel.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Go to Settings → Mobile network (or SIM cards and mobile networks).
2. Select the desired SIM card (if there are several).
3. Find the item Voice calls or Communication services.
4. Disable the slider Incoming calls (on some devices this item may be called Incoming communication).
5. Make sure that the option Mobile data remains active.

Important: On devices supporting VoLTE (voice over 4G), disabling incoming calls may lead to a temporary loss of Internet for 10-30 seconds. This is due to switching the network profile. If the Internet is not restored, restart your smartphone or manually switch the network type from 4G on 3G and back.

Method 3: Forwarding calls to a non-existent number

If the previous methods did not work (for example, on old versions Android or custom firmware), you can use forwarding service from the operator. All incoming calls will be redirected to an invalid number, and the Internet will remain active.

How to set up:

1. Open the application Phone and dial the combination:

   *#21#

   This is a command to check the current forwarding settings.

2. If forwarding is disabled, enter:

   **21*000000000#

   where 000000000 — any non-existent number (for example, 000 or 111).

3. Press the call button. You will receive a notification about successful activation.
4. To cancel the forwarding, dial:

   ##21#

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Works even on Android 5.0 and old feature-telephone.
• 📡 Does not affect Internet speed or connection stability.
• 🔒 You can set up forwarding only for certain contacts (via USSD operator commands).

⚠️ Attention: Some operators (for example, Tele2 i Iota) block USSD commands for forwarding to non-existent numbers. In this case, calls will be redirected to voicemail, which may entail additional costs (up to 3-5 rubles per minute in roaming).

Method 4: Applications for blocking calls

If standard means Android are not suitable, you can use third-party applications. They offer advanced features such as:

• 📅 Flexible scheduling (for example, call blocking only on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00).
• 🔍 Black/White lists with support for regular expressions.
• 📊 Call statistics (who tried to call and when).

Top 3 tested applications:

How to set up blocking in Call Blocker:

1. Download application from Google Play and provide the necessary permissions.
2. Go to section Blocking → Add rule.
3. Select Block all incoming or specify specific numbers.
4. Activate the option Only block calls (not SMS).
5. Enable Schedule, if you need to limit the action by time.

Method 5: Disabling the "Voice Communication" service from the operator

If you need it for a long time disable incoming calls (for example, during vacation), you can temporarily deactivate the voice service of your mobile operator. Internet and SMS will remain active.

Instructions for popular operators:

• 📱 MTS: Dial *111*52# and follow the voice prompts (select "Disable inbox").
• 📱 Beeline: Send an SMS with the text BAN ENTRANCE to the number 5100.
• 📱 MegaFon: Call 0500 and ask to turn off the incoming communication.
• 📱 Tele2: Use the command *155*1*1# (Anti-Call service).

Important nuances:

• 💰 On some tariffs, disabling incoming calls can cost from 1 to 5 rubles per day.
• ⏳ Restoring the service takes from 5 minutes to 24 hours (depending on the operator).
• 📞 Outgoing calls and SMS usually remain available.

⚠️ Attention: On tariffs with unlimited minutes (for example, "All for 500" from Tele2), disabling incoming calls may lead to Automatic reset of the package of minutes at the end of the billing period. Check the conditions with the operator!

What to do if the Internet is lost after calls are disconnected

Sometimes after manipulating the connection settings, the mobile data stops working. Here is the algorithm for diagnosing and solving the problem:

1. Check the network icon:
   • If instead 4G/5G is displayed E or 3G the problem is in the connection type.
   • If there is no network icon at all, the SIM card is not recognized.
2. Restart your smartphone: In 60% of cases, this solves temporary glitches.
3. Manually select the network:

   Settings → Mobile network → Network mode → 4G (LTE)

   On Samsung can be called Preferred network type.

4. Reset network settings:

   Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings

   ⚠️ This will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords!

5. Check APN:
   • Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN).
   • Make sure that your operator's profile is selected (for example, internet.mts.ru for MTS).

If all else fails, try:

• 🔧 Insert the SIM card into another smartphone and check the Internet.
• 📞 Call operator from another number and check whether the services have been blocked.
• 🔄 Enable/disable Modem mode in the settings (sometimes resets network errors).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

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