The call waiting feature is a critical tool for any smartphone user who cannot afford to miss an important call because the line is busy. This technology allows you to pause the current conversation while receiving an incoming signal, and switch between subscribers in real time. Without the correct settings, you risk losing business contacts or missing emergency messages from loved ones when you talk to someone else.
In the operating system Android managing this option is not always implemented in the same way. Shell manufacturers, such as MIUI, OneUI or ColorOSoften change the location of menu items, and in some cases hide them deep in the system parameters. Understanding how to install call waiting on Androidrequires knowledge of several methods: from the standard graphical interface to the use of USSD commands and the engineering menu.
Next we will analyze in detail all the available activation methods, as well as the reasons why this function may unexpectedly turn off or not work correctly. You will receive a complete troubleshooting guide and learn how to check the service status with your telecom operator to eliminate technical network limitations.
Standard activation through phone settings
The most obvious and safest way to enable the feature is to use the built-in dialing menu. In most stock versions Android the path to the settings looks logical and consistent. You need to open the application Phone, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select the item Settings. Here you should look for a section related to accounts or additional services.
However, in custom shells the path may differ. For example, on devices Samsung you need to go to the call menu, press the three dots, select Settings, then Additional services and find the switch Call waiting. On smartphones Xiaomi a similar option is often hidden in the section Additional settings inside the call menu. If you do not see the switch right away, try clicking on the name of your SIM card if there are two installed.
Sometimes the system may ask you to confirm the action or show the loading status of network settings. This is normal as the phone sends a request to the operator to activate the service on the tower side. The process takes from a few seconds to a minute. If you see an error message or endless loading after turning on the switch, then the problem lies deeper than just the interface.
Before changing settings, make sure you have a stable network signal. A weak reception level can lead to a request timeout and an error in activating the service.
Using USSD codes for quick control
If the graphical interface does not respond or there is simply no menu item, universal USSD commands come to the rescue. These codes work at the communication protocol level and do not depend on the firmware version or model of your of the smartphone. To activate the call waiting service, you must enter the code in the dialing field *43# and press the call button. The system will instantly send a request to the operator and return the activation status.
To deactivate the function, use the code #43#, and to check the current status - *#43#. These commands are GSM standard and are supported by most mobile operators around the world. However, it is worth remembering that some virtual operators or specific tariff plans may block the execution of these commands, redirecting the user to the mobile application.
It is important to note that after entering the command, a pop-up message from the network will appear on the screen. It can be in English or Russian, depending on the SIM card settings. A message like "Service activated" confirms success. If you receive the response “Connection error” or “MMI code is invalid”, try rebooting the device and repeating the procedure.
- 📞 Code
*43#— enables the call waiting service for all types of calls. - 🚫 Code
#43#— completely disables the function waiting. - 🔍 Code
*#43#—shows the current status (on or off). - 📱 Code
*#61#—allows you to check the forwarding settings if the call does not reach.
Setting through the engineering menu and hidden parameters
For Advanced users for whom standard methods do not work have access to the engineering menu. This is a hidden section of the system intended for testing equipment and configuring the radio module. You can enter it through a special application Engineer mode (often requires installation from third-party sources) or through secret codes in the dialing menu, such as ##4636##.
In the menu that opens, you need to select the section Phone Information (Phone information). Scroll down the list to item Call Barring or Call Waiting. Here you can force change the state of the function. Be extremely careful: changing other parameters in this menu may lead to loss of communication or unstable operation of the modem.
⚠️ Attention: Entering the engineering menu and changing the radio module parameters may void the device warranty in some cases. Do not change settings whose meaning you do not understand.
If the menu Phone Information has no explicit switches for call waiting, you can try resetting the network settings using the button Run Ping Test or simply reconnect the radio interface, selecting only LTE or GSM, and then returning the mode LTE/GSM/UMTS auto. This action will restart registration on the network and can pull up current service profiles from the operator.
What to do if the engineering menu is empty?
On some new smartphone models, access to the code is closed by the manufacturer. In this case, try entering the code through the "MTK Engineering Mode" application (for MediaTek processors) or use ADB commands to access hidden settings. ##4636## closed by the manufacturer. In this case, try entering the code through the MTK Engineering Mode application (for MediaTek processors) or use ADB commands to access hidden settings.
Why the call waiting function does not work or has disappeared
The situation when the call waiting switch becomes inactive (gray) or disappears altogether is quite common. Most often this is due to the operation of technology VoLTE (Voice over LTE). When voice is transmitted over the 4G Internet protocol, call control can come under the control of the operator's IMS profile, and standard GSM settings no longer affect the process.
Another common reason is a failure in the network profile. If the phone did not reboot for a long time or you moved between areas with different coverage, registration may have failed. In this case, turning airplane mode on and off or completely rebooting the smartphone helps. It is also worth checking whether a third-party calling app is installed that intercepts call control and ignores system settings.
Sometimes the problem lies on the operator’s side. The service may have been accidentally disabled in your personal account or the tariff plan does not support this function by default. In rare cases, blocking occurs due to debt or specific roaming settings if you are abroad.
| Cause of failure | Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| VoLTE conflict | The switch is gray or inactive | Disable VoLTE in SIM card settings |
| Network failure | Error when activating code | Airplane mode for 10 seconds or reboot |
| Third-party software | Settings reset themselves | Delete calling applications |
| Operator blocking | USSD code returns an error | Call support or check in the application |
If the call waiting switch is inactive, in 80% of cases VoLTE technology is to blame. Try disabling it temporarily in the mobile network settings.
Features of working on dual-SIM devices
Owners of smartphones with two active SIM cards often encounter confusion in the settings. It is important to understand that the call waiting feature is configurable individually for each SIM card. Activating the service on the first SIM card does not guarantee its operation on the second. You need to go into the settings of each card separately and check the service status.
In addition, during an active conversation on the first line, the second line may not be available for incoming calls, even if waiting is enabled. This depends on the radio architecture of your phone. Budget models with a single radio module (DSSS) physically cannot support two active communication channels simultaneously in 2G/3G networks, relying only on fast switching.
In the settings Android there is an item “Preferred SIM card for calls”. Make sure it is configured correctly. If you use one card for the Internet, and the other only for calls, make sure that during a conversation on the voice card (Internet) does not cause conflicts in the operation of the modem, especially in 3G networks.
- 📲 Check the settings separately for SIM 1 and SIM 2.
- 🔄 When calling from one card, the second may be temporarily unavailable in the old ones models.
- ⚙️ Turn off the mobile data on the second card during important conversations for stability.
Solving problems with displaying the second call
It happens that the service is technically active, but when the second call comes in, the screen does not show the selection menu (accept/reject/end current). Instead, the second subscriber immediately hears busy tones. This often indicates an application conflict. The standard application Phone from Google may conflict with the manufacturer's shell.
Try clearing the cache of the "Phone" and "SIM Card Services" applications. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Show system processes. Find the services you need and click Clear cache. Do not click "Clear data" for SIM card services unless necessary, as this may reset your network settings.
If the problem persists, check whether Do Not Disturb or blocking unknown numbers is turned on. Sometimes spam filters perceive the second incoming call as suspicious activity and block its notification. Disable built-in anti-spam protection for a while to test your hypothesis.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ depending on the Android version and the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the phone settings by entering the word "Call" or "Waiting".
☑️ Diagnosing the problem with call waiting
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does call waiting affect call pricing?
Yes, it does. When you switch to the second call, the first one is put on hold. In most tariffs, holding time is not charged, but as soon as you switch back to the first subscriber, charging resumes. If you talk at the same time (conference call), then you may be charged for both communication channels.
Is it possible to enable call waiting if I do not have Internet?
Yes, you can. The call waiting service operates in voice networks (2G/3G) and does not require mobile data. To activate, a voice communication channel is enough to send a USSD request.
Why can’t I hear a dial tone when the second call comes in?
This may be due to the notification sound settings or the fact that the ringtone of the second call is set to “Silent”. Check your sound settings in the call menu. It is also possible that the speaker is busy playing audio from a media application, which is not interrupted by an incoming call.
Does call waiting work while roaming?
It works, but only if your home operator and the operator in the host country have the appropriate agreement, and the service is activated for roaming. Often in roaming this function is paid or requires a separate connection. It is better to check the conditions with the operator before traveling.
How to turn off the click sound when switching between calls?
Unfortunately, the system switching sound (click) is part of the communication protocol and is generated by the network or modem in hardware. It is usually impossible to remove it with standard Android settings, since this is a signal to the user about changing the active channel.