The situation when an important call comes in while you are already talking with another subscriber is familiar to every smartphone user. Often we simply do not hear the dial tone, and the caller receives a busy signal, which can lead to the loss of business contacts or misunderstandings with loved ones. Fortunately, modern mobile networks and operating systems Android provide a built-in mechanism that allows you to accept a second call without interrupting the current conversation.
This feature, known as call waiting, allows you to put the first person on hold and switch to the second, or join all participants in a conference. However, this option may be disabled by default on many devices or may not work correctly due to carrier settings. In this article, we will look in detail at how to activate a parallel call, what hidden codes exist to control the service, and what to do if standard methods do not work.
It is worth understanding that the operation of this function depends not only on your smartphone, but also on the tariff plan and the quality of network coverage. If you often miss calls during a call, setting this option will be a priority for you. Let's look at all the available ways to solve this problem, from simple settings in the menu to the use of engineering codes.
What is call waiting and how it works
Call waiting technology (Call Waiting) is a standard service in GSM, 3G and 4G/LTE networks. When this feature is active, the network switch notifies you of an incoming call with a special sound signal right during the ongoing conversation. At this moment, a notification appears on the smartphone screen with the caller’s number or the name of a contact from the phone book.
The user at this moment has three options for action, each of which affects the course of communication in different ways. You can accept a new call by automatically putting the first person on hold. The second option is to reject the new call, then the first conversation will continue without interruptions. The third, most complex scenario involves organizing a conference call where all participants can hear each other.
It is important to note that for the function to work correctly, it must be enabled both on the side of your device and on the side of the telecom operator. Sometimes it happens that the checkbox is checked in the phone settings, but the service is not activated in your SIM card profile. In such cases, the system may ignore incoming signals during a call.
If you use two SIM cards, call waiting settings must be configured separately for each line, since these are independent communication channels.
Activation through the standard Android settings menu
The easiest and safest way to enable parallel calls is to use the built-in phone settings menu. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Stock Android), but the logic of action remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
First, open the standard “Phone” application, which usually has a green icon with a handset. In the upper right corner of the screen, find an icon with three vertical dots or a gear - this is the entrance to the main menu of the application. By clicking on it, you will see a drop-down list where you need to select the “Settings” item.
Next, the algorithm of actions may vary. On the clean Android You should look for the “Advanced settings” section or immediately the “Call waiting” item. In shells from Chinese manufacturers, this item is often hidden deeper, for example, in the “Accounts” or “SIM cards and mobile networks” section. Having found the desired switch, simply activate it.
- 📱 Open the “Phone” application and go to the settings menu through three dots.
- 🔍 Find the “Advanced settings” or “Accounts” section.
- ✅ Activate the switch opposite the “Call waiting” item.
- 🔄 Wait for confirmation from the network (a “Request Completed” pop-up window may appear).
After turning on the switch, the phone will send a request to the operator’s network. This process usually takes a few seconds. If you see an error message or the request takes forever, this may indicate signal problems or blocking of the service by the provider.
☑️ Check that the feature is activated
Using USSD codes to manage the service
If the graphical interface does not produce results or does not work correctly, you can use universal USSD commands. These codes send a direct request to the telecom operator’s server, bypassing the smartphone’s software settings. This is especially true for older phone models or when the system malfunctions.
There are three basic commands to control the call waiting service. To check the current status of the function, you must enter the code *#43# and press the call button. The system will instantly display a message indicating whether the service is enabled or not. This is the first step in diagnosing the problem.
To force parallel calling, use the command *43#. After entering and pressing the call button, you should receive a “Service Activated” notification. If you need to temporarily disable the function, for example, so as not to be distracted during important conversations, use the code #43#.
*#43# - Checking status*43# - Activating the service
#43# - Disabling the service
It is worth remembering that these codes are the GSM standard and work for most operators, but may have exceptions. Some virtual operators or specific corporate tariffs may use other combinations. In this case, it is better to check the information in your personal account.
Why the code may not work?
If, when entering the code, you receive the error “Connection problem” or “Code is invalid,” check whether the SIM card is installed in a slot that supports voice communication. In 4G/LTE-only mode without VoLTE support, some old commands may not be processed correctly.
Setting features on different smartphone models
Mobile device developers often modify the menu structure to highlight their unique features or simplify the interface. This leads to the fact that the path to the same function on different devices can be radically different. Knowing these features will save you time when searching for the treasured switch.
On smartphones Samsung the path to setting usually looks like this: “Phone” application → three dots → “Settings” → “Additional services”. Here you need to wait a couple of seconds until the phone requests data from the network, after which the “Call Waiting” option will appear. In devices Xiaomi and Poco the path often lies through “Settings” → “SIM cards and mobile networks” → selecting a specific SIM → “Advanced settings”.
Owners of smartphones Google Pixel and devices with a clean Android find this option in the “Calls” section → “Additional settings” → “Call waiting”. On phones Huawei i Honor The logic is similar to Samsung, but the item may be called “Call Management”. Below is a table for quick navigation through popular brands.
| Smartphone brand | Menu path | Interface nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Phone → Settings → Additional. services | It takes time to load network data |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → SIM cards → Additional. settings | You need to select a specific SIM card |
| Google Pixel | Phone → Settings → Calls | Minimalistic interface without unnecessary tabs |
| Huawei / Honor | Phone → Settings → Management calls | Often hidden in the “More” submenu |
If you cannot find the desired item in the specified paths, use the search in the settings. Enter the phrase “call” or “waiting” in the search bar, and the system itself will suggest the desired section. This is a universal method for any version Android.
Activation problems and methods for solving them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often encounter the fact that the switch is not activated or is reset to its original position. One common reason is a network mode conflict. If your phone is configured to work only in 4G/LTEmode, and the operator does not support the technology VoLTE (Voice over LTE) in your region, voice calls may not work correctly.
In this case, it is recommended to temporarily switch the network mode in the mobile data settings to 3G/2G (auto). After this, try to activate call waiting again through the menu or USSD code. Once the service is turned on, you can return to your preferred 4G mode. Also, the problem may lie in outdated software.
⚠️ Attention: If you recently updated the smartphone firmware, the network settings may have been reset to factory settings. Check to see if the feature was automatically disabled after a system update.
Another factor is blocking by the operator. Some plans, especially archival or enterprise plans, may have restrictions on additional services. In this case, no manipulations with the phone will help. You need to contact the support service of your mobile operator to clarify the status of the service in your profile.
It is also worth checking whether you have third-party calling applications installed, such as Truecaller or various “dialers” from the application store. They can hijack call control and ignore system settings. Try temporarily disabling such an application and check the function using a standard dialer.
The most common cause of failure is incompatibility of the 4G network mode and the lack of VoLTE support from the operator. Switching to 3G often solves the problem instantly.
Conference and Hold Management
Once you have successfully enabled call waiting, new options for managing communications open up for you. When a second call comes in during a call, buttons to accept or reject appear on the screen. If you click “Accept”, the first person will be automatically put on hold.
To join both people in a conference, you need to find the “Merge” button or the icon depicting two arrows converging at one point. After pressing, all three participants (you and the two callers) will be able to hear each other. This is convenient for resolving work issues or family discussions without having to call each other one by one.
Usually three people can communicate for free, but for larger conferences additional fees may apply. Also, the quality of communication in conference mode depends on how stable the signal is for each of the participants.
- 🔊 The “Hold” button allows you to isolate the interlocutor to talk with him privately, muting the sound for the other participant.
- 🔗 The “Merge” button creates a conference call between all active lines.
- 🛑 The “End” button can close only the current active call or all calls at once, depending on the phone model.
Some operators allow you to create conferences by adding participants one at a time. You can be in a conversation, add a second one, merge them, and then put them on hold and call the third one. However, such a complex scheme requires excellent coordination and may be inconvenient to implement on the small screen of a smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: In conference call mode, traffic or minutes consumption may add up. Check with your operator whether the conference is charged as one call or as several simultaneous connections.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why can’t I hear a dial tone when the second call comes in?
This can happen for several reasons. First, check to see if you've turned on Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode, which might be jamming the idle signals. Secondly, make sure that the volume of media or system sounds is not turned down to minimum. Thirdly, the problem may be on the operator’s side, which does not transmit a notification signal.
Does enabled call waiting affect Internet speed?
The mere fact of enabling the service in the settings does not affect the data transfer speed. However, during an active voice call, especially on 3G networks, Internet speeds may drop as the channel is split between voice and data. In 4G networks with VoLTE support, the impact is minimal.
Is it possible to configure different rules for different SIM cards?
Yes, in dual-SIM smartphones, call waiting settings are applied individually for each SIM card. You need to go to the settings, select a specific SIM card and activate the function specifically for it. This allows, for example, to receive second calls on a work SIM card, but not on a personal one.
Does the operator charge money for the call waiting service?
In most modern tariff plans of Russian and foreign operators, the “Call Waiting” service is included in the basic package and is provided free of charge. However, some archive plans may require a subscription fee. We recommend checking the terms of your tariff in the operator's application.
What to do if the “Merge” button is inactive?
If the call merge button is not pressed (gray), this means that your telecom operator does not support conference calling for your number or there are technical restrictions on the network at the moment. This is also possible if one of the interlocutors is in an area of poor coverage.