The instant disappearance of the interlocutor’s voice and its replacement with beeps or waiting music right during a conversation most often indicates accidental activation of the call hold function on the screen of your Android smartphone. This occurs due to involuntary touching of the “Hold” touch button with the palm or ear, as well as due to specific settings of the operator’s tariff plan, and requires an immediate re-press of the same key to restore the active phase of the dialogue in order to avoid interruption of an important conversation.
In the operating system Android call control is implemented through a combination of system settings and commands transmitted to the cellular operator communications. You can remove the hold in several ways: from simply pressing a button on the screen to entering special USSD codes. However, if the function is “stuck” or cannot be disabled using standard methods, deeper intervention in the device parameters will be required. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for solving the problem.
The mechanism of operation of the call hold service
The hold function, also known as Call Waiting or “Call Hold”, allows you to pause the current conversation in order to answer an incoming call or make an outgoing one. Technically, this is implemented not by the smartphone itself, but by the telecom operator’s equipment. When you activate hold, your phone sends a special signal to the base station, which switches the audio stream of your interlocutor to the server for playing the waiting tone.
On devices running Android the control interface for this feature may look different. In Google's default Phone app, the hold button is usually represented by an icon with two vertical bars or a pause icon. In custom shells from manufacturers, such as Samsung One UI or Xiaomi MIUI, the arrangement of elements may differ. It is important to understand that if the service is not activated on the operator’s side, the buttons in the interface may be inactive or absent altogether.
Sometimes users confuse holding a call with switching between two active lines. These are different processes: when you hold, one subscriber waits, and when you switch, you communicate with one or the other interlocutor in turn. Misunderstanding of these modes often results in the user not being able to find the right button to return to the conversation. If you don't see the unhold option, you may be in conference mode.
⚠️ Attention: Call hold is a paid service for many carriers. Before activating or attempting to change settings, check the terms of your tariff plan in your personal account to avoid unexpected charges for per-minute payment for the second communication channel.
If the hold button on the screen is gray and cannot be pressed, this means that the service is not activated on the side of your operator or there is currently no second incoming call to process.
Standard shutdown methods through the phone menu
The easiest way to remove the hold is to use the call application interface during an active call. When you are on the line and the feature is activated, an additional control panel appears on the screen. Clicking the Continue button or the green handset phone icon will usually instantly return the conversation to the active state. In some versions Android you must first press the menu button (three dots) to see the option to remove from hold.
If we are talking about completely disabling the ability to put calls on hold in the future, you need to go to the settings of the Phone application. The path to these settings may vary depending on your device model. It usually looks like this: open the application, click on the three dots in the corner, select Settings, then go to the Additional settings or Call accountssection. Here you will find the switch responsible for the “Call Hold” function.
For smartphone owners Samsung i Xiaomi the process may have its own characteristics. On Samsung devices, the option is often hidden in the "Additional Services" submenu, which is loaded directly from the operator's network when opening Call Settings. In Xiaomi phones, this setting may be duplicated in the system menu of SIM cards. If the switch is inactive, try rebooting the device or moving the SIM card to another slot, as sometimes reading the network parameters occurs with an error.
- 📱 Click on the "Pause" or "Continue" icon right during a call for instant control.
- ⚙️ Go to
Call settingsthrough the “Phone” application menu to change settings globally. - 🔄 Restart your smartphone if the settings do not apply or the buttons do not respond to presses.
Using USSD codes to manage the service
When the graphical interface does not work or the settings are hidden, universal USSD commands come to the rescue. These codes send a request directly to the operator’s server, bypassing the settings of the smartphone itself. This is the most reliable way to force a hold or check the status of a service. The commands are standardized for GSM networks and work on most devices running Android, regardless of the system version.
To disable the call hold service, use the code #43#. After dialing this combination and pressing the call button, you will receive a notification from the network that the service has been successfully disconnected. If you need to check the current status, use the code *#43#. The system will respond with a message indicating whether the service is active for your number. To re-activate if you change your mind, use the command *43#.
It is important to note that some operators may use their own variations of codes or require confirmation via SMS. If the standard code does not produce results, it is recommended to visit the official website of your telecom operator or contact support. It is also worth remembering that USSD requests only work if there is a stable network signal and a positive balance on the account, if the service is paid.
#43# - Disabling the call holding service*#43# - Checking the service status
*43# - Activating the call holding service
⚠️ Attention: After entering the USSD code, wait for a pop-up message from the operator to appear. Do not close the dialing window or lock the screen for 5-10 seconds after sending the request in order to receive the correct response from the network.
What to do if the code gives a connection error?
If, when entering the code, you receive a message about a connection error or an incorrect MMI code, this may mean that your operator uses non-standard commands. Try entering the code in the format *43*phone_number# or contact the operator's support chat to clarify the syntax.
Specific settings for popular brands of smartphones
Different manufacturers of Androidsmartphones implement access to telephony in different ways. Understanding these differences will help you find the button you need faster. For example, in pure Android (Pixel, Motorola), call settings are simplified as much as possible and are often hidden in the general system settings menu. While in shells from Chinese manufacturers, the settings can be divided into different menu items.
Below is a table that helps you navigate the path to call hold settings for the most popular brands. Please note that the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and regional build of the device.
| Smartphone brand | Path to settings | Interface features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Phone → Three dots → Settings → Advanced services | Requires downloading data from the operator's network |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Phone → Settings → Accounts for calls → SIM selection → Additional. settings | Settings are duplicated in the SIM card menu |
| Google Pixel | Phone → Three dots → Settings → Calls → Additional settings | Minimalistic interface, quick response |
| Huawei / Honor | Phone → Four dots → Settings → Calls → Call hold | Clear division into voice and video calls |
Device owners Samsung should be careful: sometimes the “Additional services” item may freeze at the loading stage. In this case, clearing the cache of the “Phone” application through the settings menu of the smartphone itself (Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache) helps. For users Xiaomi a frequent problem is a conflict between the settings of MIUI itself and the settings received from the operator. It is recommended to synchronize them using USSD codes as a reference.
If you cannot find the settings in your brand menu, use universal USSD codes - they work regardless of the Android shell and phone model.
Solving problems with the hold function freezing
Sometimes the hold function “sticks”: you pressed the continue button, but the other party still hears beeps, or you yourself do not hear him. This is a software failure that can occur due to conflicts in the operation of the radio module or errors in the firmware of the Phone application. The first step in such a situation should always be to end the current call and redial the subscriber.
If the problem recurs systematically, you need to reset the network settings. This won't delete your contacts or photos, but it will reset your cell tower connection settings to factory defaults. To do this, go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. After rebooting, the phone will re-register on the network, which often eliminates logical errors in call processing.
In more complex cases, when the hold cannot be removed by either buttons or codes, the cause may be outdated software. Check for updates for the system and the Phone application in the store Google Play. Developers regularly release patches to fix communication bugs. It's also worth checking to see if you have a third-party calling app installed that could hijack call control and process hold signals incorrectly.
☑️ Diagnosing a stuck hold
The influence of the telecom operator and tariff plan
We must not forget that the smartphone only broadcasts commands, and the operator’s network executes them. Some plans, especially enterprise or archive plans, may have restrictions on the use of the hold feature. In such cases, even if the phone is configured correctly, the service will not work. The operator can forcibly block this option if it is not included in the service package.
In addition, in third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G/LTE) networks, voice transmission technology (VoLTE) can interact differently with classic hold signals. If you are in a 2G-only coverage area, the feature may experience instability. It is recommended to make sure that the mode 4G/LTE is enabled in the mobile network settings and the option VoLTEis activated, if supported by your operator and device.
If you changed the operator using the number portability (MNP) service, the service settings may be lost. The new operator assigns you its own service profile, but the phone may retain old configurations. In this case, the only correct solution is to completely reset call settings through the engineering menu or contact a communication salon to re-register the service profile on the network side.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces of operators’ personal accounts and tariff conditions are regularly updated. If you suspect that the service is blocked on the provider's side, always check the latest information about the available options in your operator's official application or website, since the rules can change without notification in the phone settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why I can’t see hold button during a call?
The absence of a button may mean that the service is not connected to your operator, or you are using a calling application that does not support this function (for example, some VoIP clients). Check the service status via USSD code *#43#.
Is it possible to remove hold on one phone if the call is going to another?
No, hold control is carried out only from the device that initiated the pause. If you are calling from a work phone and want to remove the hold from your personal phone, this is technically impossible without forwarding or a conference call.
Are you charged for the time while the subscriber is on hold?
Yes, in most tariffs the hold time is charged as normal call time, since the communication channel remains busy. Check the terms of per-minute payment in your tariff plan.
What to do if the sound disappears after unholding?
Try switching the speaker (turn the speakerphone on and off). If this doesn't help, end the call and call back. The problem may be due to a temporary codec failure when switching microphone operating modes.
Does the Android version affect the operation of the hold function?
The system version affects the menu layout and stability of the Phone application, but the basic hold function is supported in all versions of Android, starting with the earliest ones, since it depends on cellular communication standards GSM/UMTS/LTE.