Call waiting is a service that allows you to manage a large volume of incoming calls, even if you only have one phone line, easing the need for additional phone lines.
This feature can often be combined with other useful phone features like caller ID, call routing, and call forwarding to make for seamless transitions between conversations with multiple people. These features can give you additional information about callers and help you prioritize and easily navigate between calls.
In this article:
- How To Use Call Waiting
- How to Activate and Disable Call Waiting on a Landline
- How To Enable and Disable Call Waiting on iPhone
- How To Enable and Disable Call Waiting on Android
- FAQs
How To Use Call Waiting
Call waiting is a standard service that comes on many modern phones. When you’re on a call and you have another caller waiting, you’ll hear two distinct tones, letting you know that another call is on the line. This can help you to be aware of each call so you don’t miss anything important.
The primary benefit of using call waiting is that it lets you manage multiple incoming calls at the same time, without needing multiple phone lines. This is especially useful for businesses and busy professionals but can be valuable for personal use as well. Call waiting is especially helpful in conjunction with caller ID software so you can make quick decisions about which call to prioritize.
How to Activate and Disable Call Waiting on a Landline
Activating the call waiting feature on a landline depends on your phone and service provider, but often your phone will come with it enabled already. Here are a few ways to enable and disable call forwarding in a few providers:
1. Spectrum
The default setting for call waiting is ON. Please visit your Customer User Portal and click on the calling features tab. Scroll down to call waiting and select your desired setting.
To temporarily disable call waiting, press *70 before dialing your number. Call waiting will turn on automatically once you finish the call.
2. AT&T
Press *371# from your home phone to activate call waiting on an AT&T landline.
To temporarily disable call waiting, dial *70 when you pick up the phone and enter the number you wish to call. When you finish, the call waiting feature will be automatically reactivated. To permanently disable it, press *370# from your home phone.
3. Verizon
The standard features default setting for call waiting is ON. If you had it turned off, the feature might have been removed from your account. You need to add the feature through your online "My Verizon."
Disable the feature temporarily by pressing *70 before calling a number.
How To Enable and Disable Call Waiting on iPhone
Activate - You'll need to head to your settings app to activate a call waiting on an iPhone. In the app, scroll down and click the tab marked 'Phone,' then scroll down in that menu to the section titled 'Calls' and click the button that says 'Call Waiting.' To make sure you have call waiting activated, turn the switch on the screen, and it should be displayed in green.
Disable - Call waiting can be disabled on iPhone through the same menu you use to turn it on. Make sure the switch on the 'Call Waiting' page is flipped to the left and shows gray instead of green.
How To Enable and Disable Call Waiting on Android
Activate - Activating call waiting on Android is done through the 'Phone' application directly instead of through the settings app. Go to your phone application, where you'd go to make a call, and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click 'Settings' and then click Calls in the 'General' section. Once in that menu, click 'Additional settings' and then toggle the 'Call waiting' option to the right.
Disable - Similar to the iPhone, call waiting on Android is disabled through the same menu you use to enable it. In the 'Additional settings' menu of the calls settings on your phone app, toggle 'Call waiting' to the left, and it should show gray.
FAQs
What happens if call waiting is activated?
When call waiting is activated and you’re on a phone call, if a second call comes in you’ll hear two tones alerting you that you have another caller on the line. You can briefly press the receiver button to connect to the second call and put the first on hold, or you can hang up on the first call to immediately connect to the second.
Can the callers hear each other when call waiting is on?
No, call waiting is a service that lets you make full use of the ‘hold’ function on your phone, so callers on hold aren’t able to hear you talking to whoever is on the active line.
Do I have to answer the second call if I have call waiting?
You don’t have to answer any call you receive, you can simply ignore the second call or place the first call on hold while you reject the second. Using caller ID can help you know whether to answer the second call or not.
What will happen if call waiting is off?
When call waiting is off, your phone will function as usual, and you won’t be alerted through an audio cue when you receive a second call. This can result in calls being missed, so if you turn it off it’s important to check your missed calls after a conversation to make sure you didn’t miss anything.