How to set call waiting on Android: complete guide

Call waiting is one of the most useful, but often overlooked, tools in the arsenal of the modern smartphone user. Imagine the situation: you are having an important conversation with a client or loved one, and suddenly there is a second incoming call. Without the activated service, the first subscriber will hear short beeps or get an answering machine, and you won’t even know who tried to call you. Enabling this option allows you to put the first person on hold, answer the second, and then switch between them or end one of the conversations at your discretion.

Unfortunately, on many devices running Android this feature may be disabled by default, especially if you are using a new SIM card or have changed carriers. The activation process does not require complex technical knowledge, however, the menu interface may differ significantly depending on the model of your gadget and the version of the operating system. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to enable the service, from standard phone settings to universal USSD commands that work even if the interface fails.

Correctly setting this parameter is critical for those who use a smartphone for business or simply do not want to miss urgent calls. We will look at the nuances of how the function works on popular shells, such as One UI from Samsung and MIUI from Xiaomi, and we will also touch on cases when standard methods do not work. Understanding how call switching works at the network and device levels will help you avoid awkward situations and loss of important information.

Activation through the system settings menu

The most obvious and convenient way to enable call waiting is to use the built-in phone book or system settings menu. In “pure” Android, which can be found on Google Pixel or Motorola smartphones, the path to this option is as unified and logical as possible. You need to open the Phone application, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. Next, you should go to the “Accounts for calls” or “Advanced settings” section, where the desired switch is hidden.

However, manufacturers often modify the menu structure to add their own proprietary functions. On devices Samsung the algorithm of actions will look different: after entering the call application, you need to press the menu button and select “Settings”, then scroll down the list to the “Additional services” item. This is where the switches for number identification, forwarding and, in fact, call waiting are located. The system will send a request to the operator's server, and after a few seconds you will see the status of the service.

It is worth noting that for the function to work correctly, your smartphone must support the standard VoLTE or be in the area of ​​reliable reception of the 3G/4G network. In some rare cases, when the network is congested or you are roaming, the activation request may not go through the first time. If the switch in the menu is gray and inactive, this may indicate temporary problems with registration in the network or that the SIM card does not support this service at the software level.

⚠️ Attention: If, after turning on the switch in the menu, you see a network error message or the request is not fulfilled, do not try to press the button repeatedly in a row. This may temporarily block the operator's ability to change call settings. Wait 5-10 minutes and try again.

Using universal USSD commands

When the graphical interface does not work correctly or the menu item is simply missing, they come to the rescue good old USSD requests. These are text commands that are sent directly to the mobile operator’s server, bypassing the settings of the smartphone itself. Most networks around the world use a single standard code to activate call waiting. You just need to open the dial pad and enter a sequence of characters, then press the call button.

The universal command to enable the service is as follows:

*43#

After sending this request, you should receive a pop-up message from the network with confirmation: “Service activated” or “Call waiting enabled”. Similarly, to disable the function, use the code #43#, and to check the current status - *#43#. These commands work on almost all Big Four operators in Russia and many foreign communication providers, as they are specified in GSM standards.

It is important to understand that USSD commands do not depend on the model of your phone. Whether it is budget Xiaomi Redmi or flagship Sony Xperia, the result will be the same, since the request is processed on the cellular tower equipment. This makes this method the most reliable diagnostic method: if the command does not work, the problem is definitely not in your phone, but in the tariff plan or SIM card settings.

Setting features on different smartphone models

The variety of Android shells creates a certain confusion for users who are accustomed to one button arrangement. Owners of devices based on MIUI (Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi) may experience that the call settings menu is hidden deeper than usual. Here you need to go to the “Phone” application, click on the settings gear, select “Advanced” and there you will find the “Operator Settings” section. It is this point that is often overlooked when looking for a switch in the general system settings.

On smartphones Huawei and Honor with the EMUI shell, the path also has its own characteristics. After entering Settings inside the calling app, you need to select a specific SIM card if you have two. The call waiting feature is configured individually for each slot. You cannot enable it globally for the entire device at once unless you configure the settings for each active line separately. This is done for the flexibility of managing two different tariff plans.

The situation with devices from other brands, such as Realme or Oppo, often involves having its own call launcher, which may differ from the standard Google Dialer. In such cases, the option you are looking for may be called “Wait call” or “Waiting” and can be found in the “Advanced call settings” subsection. If you cannot find the item you need, use the search in the phone settings by entering the word “waiting” or “call.”

Brand / Shell	Path to settings	Features
Samsung (One UI)	Phone → Menu → Settings → Add. services	Separate request to the network at each login
Xiaomi (MIUI)	Phone → Settings → Advanced → Operator settings	Requires selection of a specific SIM card
Google Pixel	Phone → Settings → Accounts for calls	The fastest access, standard interface
Huawei (EMUI)	Settings → Mobile network → Call settings	May require a reboot after switching on

Setting up for two SIM cards

Owners of smartphones with two active SIM cards often wondering how to manage call waiting on each line independently. Modern versions of Android allow you to flexibly configure this parameter. When you go to the call settings menu, the system usually displays two separate items corresponding to slot 1 and slot 2. You can enable standby only on the working SIM card, leaving the personal one free from interruptions, or vice versa.

When activating the function for two cards at the same time, you should take into account the load on the phone's radio module. Although modern processors can easily handle holding two lines, in weak signal areas this can result in one of the calls being dropped when attempting to switch. It is recommended to test the function in those places where you most often receive important calls to make sure the connection is stable.

It is also important to remember about tariffs. For some operators, the call waiting service may be paid or included only in certain tariff packages. If you activate the function on a second SIM card, make sure that you have funds in your balance to charge the subscription fee, if any. Otherwise, the network may automatically disable the service after the first attempt to use it.

Switching between active calls on two SIM cards is carried out in an intuitive manner. A “Hold” button or a toggle icon will appear on the screen during a call. Clicking on it pauses the current interlocutor (he hears music or silence) and transfers you to the line with the second caller. Pressing again returns to the first dialog. To join two people in a conference call, a separate “Merge” button is usually required.

⚠️ Attention: When using two SIM cards in 4G/5G mode, only one of them can operate in high-speed mode to transmit data simultaneously with a voice call, unless Dual VoLTE mode is enabled. Make sure that the item VoLTE for both cards, to avoid a drop in 2G when there is an incoming call to the second line.

Why the function does not work: the main reasons

Even after correct configuration, users may encounter that the second call does not arrive, and the subscriber hears “busy”. One of the most common reasons is that the function is blocked on the telecom operator's side. Some tariff plans, especially archival or budget ones, do not include call waiting service by default, and it must be activated separately through your personal account or support service.

Another common problem is a conflict with third-party applications. If you have installed a telephone directory software or call recording application, it may hijack line control and block the system's waiting functions. In such cases, it is recommended to temporarily disable the third-party application and check the function using standard dialing. It is also worth checking whether the Do Not Disturb mode is activated, which can suppress the second call.

Technical failures in the operator's network can also play a role. If you recently changed your SIM card to a new one with 5G support, but the phone is old, or vice versa, you may have problems with profiling services on the network. In this case, a complete reset of the network settings helps (not to be confused with a complete reset of the phone). This operation will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but will restore the correct registration parameters in the cellular network.

How to reset network settings?

Go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. Confirm the action and reboot the device. This often solves problems with calls not working correctly.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does enabling call waiting affect the sound quality of a call?

No, activating the function itself does not affect the quality of voice encoding or signal strength. However, when switching between subscribers, there may be a short pause or change in volume, which is a normal technical process of channel switching.

Can I enable call waiting if I am roaming?

Yes, this is possible, but the conditions depend on your home operator and partner in the host country. The service may be paid, and activation via USSD commands is sometimes not available in roaming. It is best to set up the function before traveling abroad or through your operator's application.

What will the first caller hear while I am talking to the second?

By default, the first interlocutor hears silence. Some operators replace silence with a special waiting melody. You cannot change this melody yourself through the phone settings, this is regulated only on the side of the cellular company.

Why is the call waiting button gray and not pressed?

This means that the phone cannot contact the operator's switching center to change the service status. Check the network signal, make sure the SIM card is not blocked, and try entering the command *43# manually. If it doesn’t help, contact your operator’s support.

Does call waiting work when using instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)?

No, the call waiting function only works for regular cellular voice communications (GSM/VoLTE). Calls through Internet messengers use completely different data transfer protocols, and putting a second Internet call on hold depends solely on the capabilities of the application itself, and not the phone settings.