You can adjust how many times your iPhone rings before calls go to voicemail by changing your carrier settings
The number of rings you hear before a call reaches voicemail is controlled by your mobile carrier, not by Apple. On iPhone, you change this setting by dialing a code that sends instructions directly to your carrier's network. The code is *61* followed by the number of seconds you want to wait, then #. Each ring takes roughly 6 seconds, so if you want 4 rings, you would dial *61*24#.
This setting works on all major US carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. The change takes effect when ready after you dial the code, and you do not need to restart your phone. If you want to check what your current setting is, you can dial #61# to see the number of seconds before your voicemail picks up.
Key Takeaways
- Dial *61* followed by the number of seconds, then # — for example, *61*24# sets 4 rings (24 seconds).
- Each ring is approximately 6 seconds, so multiply your desired number of rings by 6 to get the seconds to enter.
- The setting applies to all incoming calls and takes effect when ready without restarting your phone.
- You can check your current setting by dialing #61# and listening to the automated response.
- If the code does not work, contact your carrier directly, as some carriers use different codes or have restrictions on this setting.
Step-by-step: Dialing the code to change your ring time
Open the Phone app and tap the keypad at the bottom. You will see the dial pad with numbers 0–9 and the symbols * and #. Tap the numbers and symbols in the exact order shown below, with no spaces or pauses between them.
For 4 rings, dial: *61*24#. For 5 rings, dial: *61*30#. For 6 rings, dial: *61*36#. After you finish typing the code, press the green call button (the phone icon). Your carrier will process the request, and you will hear a confirmation message or see a notification on your screen. The message usually says something like "Service set" or "Request successful." If you see an error message, check that you typed the code correctly and try again.
The change is now active. You do not need to do anything else — your phone will not restart, and you do not need to turn airplane mode on or off. The next time someone calls you, the phone will ring for the number of seconds you set before the call goes to voicemail.
Common ring-to-voicemail timing conversions
Use this table to find the code for your preferred number of rings. Each ring is approximately 6 seconds, so a 4-ring delay is 24 seconds. The timing is approximate because ring length varies slightly between carriers and network conditions. If you set 24 seconds and hear 3.5 rings before voicemail picks up, that is normal variation.
| Number of Rings | Seconds to Enter | Code to Dial |
|---|---|---|
| 3 rings | 18 seconds | *61*18# |
| 4 rings | 24 seconds | *61*24# |
| 5 rings | 30 seconds | *61*30# |
| 6 rings | 36 seconds | *61*36# |
| 7 rings | 42 seconds | *61*42# |
You can adjust up or down by 6 seconds (one ring) until you find the timing that feels right for your needs. If you want 8 rings, dial *61*48#. If you want 2 rings, dial *61*12#.
What to do if the code does not work
If you dial the code and see an error message, or if nothing happens after you press the call button, the first step is to verify you typed it correctly. Go back to the dial pad and check each number and symbol against the code you intended. A single wrong digit will cause the code to fail. Make sure you are using the asterisk (*) and hash (#) symbols, not other characters.
If the code is correct but still does not work, your carrier may not support this feature or may use a different code. Some carriers, particularly smaller regional carriers, restrict access to this setting or require you to change it through their customer service line instead. Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on the back of your SIM card or on your bill) and ask them to adjust your voicemail ring time. They can do this in seconds from their system.
If you are on a prepaid plan or a carrier that does not offer this feature, you may not be able to change the ring time at all. In that case, your voicemail will pick up after a fixed number of rings set by the carrier, and you cannot override it from your phone.
How to check your current ring-time setting
To see what your phone is currently set to, open the Phone app and tap the keypad. Dial #61# and press the green call button. Your carrier will send back a message showing the number of seconds before your voicemail picks up. The message will appear as a notification or pop-up on your screen.
If the message says "24 seconds," that means your phone rings for 24 seconds (4 rings) before voicemail answers. If you want to change it, use the table above to find the code for your preferred number of rings, then dial that code as described in the step-by-step section. The check code works the same way on all carriers and does not change any settings — it only shows you what is currently active.
Why you might want to change this setting
By default, most carriers set voicemail to pick up after 20–24 seconds (3–4 rings). If you are often away from your phone or in situations where you cannot answer quickly, you might want to increase the ring time to 30–36 seconds (5–6 rings) so callers have more time to reach you before the call goes to voicemail. This is especially useful if you are in a car, in a meeting, or in a location where you need a few extra seconds to find your phone.
On the other hand, if you prefer callers to reach your voicemail quickly rather than waiting through many rings, you can lower the setting to 12–18 seconds (2–3 rings). This is common for people who check voicemail regularly and want to avoid long hold times for callers. You can change this setting as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you dial the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the ring time affect Do Not Disturb or Silent mode?
No. The ring-time setting controls how long the phone rings before voicemail picks up, regardless of whether your phone is in Silent mode, Do Not Disturb, or any other mode. If your phone is in Silent mode, the caller will not hear rings, but the timer still runs. After the set number of seconds, the call goes to voicemail.
Will this setting work if I switch to a different iPhone?
Yes. The setting is stored on your carrier's network, not on your phone. When you move your SIM card to a new iPhone or set up a new phone with the same phone number, the ring-time setting comes with you. You do not need to dial the code again unless you want to change it.
Can I set a different ring time for specific contacts?
No. The ring-time code sets one timing for all incoming calls. You cannot create different ring times for different people. If you want certain contacts to reach you faster, you can set them to bypass Do Not Disturb or assign them a custom ringtone, but the number of rings before voicemail will be the same for everyone.
What happens if I dial the code with 0 seconds?
If you dial *61*0#, your voicemail will pick up when ready without any rings. Callers will hear your voicemail greeting right away. This is rarely useful, but it is possible. If you do this by accident, dial *61*24# to reset to the default 4 rings.
Is there a maximum number of rings I can set?
Most carriers allow up to 30 seconds (5 rings), though some allow up to 60 seconds (10 rings). If you dial a number higher than your carrier allows, the code will fail or the carrier will set it to their maximum. Contact your carrier if you want to confirm their limit before you dial.