Change the ring count in your carrier settings
Your iPhone's voicemail delay is controlled by your carrier, not by Apple. The number of rings before a call goes to voicemail depends on a setting your phone company manages on their network. You cannot change this through the iPhone's Settings app — instead, you send a code to your carrier's system using your phone's keypad.
The code you use is *61* followed by the number of seconds you want the phone to ring, then #. Each ring lasts roughly 6 seconds, so if you want 4 rings, you would use 24 seconds. The formula is: number of rings multiplied by 6 equals the seconds to enter.
For example, to set 5 rings before voicemail: dial *61*30# and press Call. Your phone will show a confirmation message. Most carriers accept settings between 6 and 30 seconds (roughly 1 to 5 rings), though some allow up to 60 seconds.
Key Takeaways
- The ring delay is set through your carrier's network using a code, not through iPhone Settings.
- Dial *61*, then the number of seconds (multiply rings by 6), then #, then press Call.
- Most carriers allow between 6 and 30 seconds, which equals roughly 1 to 5 rings.
- Different carriers may have different maximum limits, so check with your provider if the code does not work.
Step-by-step: setting your ring delay
Open the Phone app and go to the Keypad tab. Tap the numbers in this order: *, 6, 1, *, then the number of seconds you want. For 4 rings (24 seconds), type *61*24#. Tap the green Call button.
Your phone will connect to your carrier's system and show a message confirming the change. The message usually says something like "Service set" or "Request successful." If you see an error message, your carrier may not support this code or may have different limits. In that case, contact your carrier's customer service to ask about changing your voicemail delay.
Common ring counts and their seconds
| Number of Rings | Seconds to Enter | Code to Dial |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ring | 6 seconds | *61*6# |
| 2 rings | 12 seconds | *61*12# |
| 3 rings | 18 seconds | *61*18# |
| 4 rings | 24 seconds | *61*24# |
| 5 rings | 30 seconds | *61*30# |
Why your carrier controls this setting
The voicemail system lives on your carrier's network servers, not on your phone. When a call comes in, the carrier's equipment decides whether to ring your phone or send the call to voicemail. Your iPhone cannot override that decision because it does not have access to the carrier's network settings.
This is why changing the setting requires you to send a code to the carrier's system rather than tapping a button in Settings. The code tells the carrier's voicemail server to wait longer before routing the call away.
What to do if the code does not work
If you dial the code and get an error message or no response, your carrier may not support this feature or may use a different code. Some carriers, particularly smaller regional ones, do not allow customers to adjust the ring delay themselves.
Contact your carrier's customer service and ask them to change your voicemail delay to the number of rings you want. They can make the change on their end without you needing to enter a code. Have your phone number and account information ready when you call.
Checking your current ring delay setting
To see what your ring delay is currently set to, dial *61# and press Call. Your phone will show a message with the current number of seconds. Write down that number and divide by 6 to find out how many rings you currently have.
If you want to go back to your carrier's default (usually 4 to 5 rings), you can either dial the code again with a new number or contact customer service and ask them to reset it to the default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work on all carriers?
Most major carriers in the United States — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular — support the *61* code. Some smaller carriers and MVNOs may not. If the code does not work, your carrier's customer service can change the setting for you.
Can I set it to just 1 ring?
Yes, you can set it as low as 6 seconds (roughly 1 ring) on most carriers. Dial *61*6# and press Call. Keep in mind that very short delays make it hard for people to answer before voicemail picks up.
What happens if I enter a number of seconds my carrier does not support?
Your carrier will either reject the code with an error message or round your request to the nearest supported value. Most carriers support increments of 6 seconds. If you get an error, try a multiple of 6 (like 12, 18, 24, or 30).
Will this setting change if I switch phones?
No. The ring delay is stored on your carrier's network, not on your phone. If you get a new iPhone or switch to a different phone, the setting will stay the same unless you change it again.
Can I set different ring delays for different contacts?
No. The *61* code sets one ring delay for all incoming calls. You cannot create different delays for specific people or groups. Your iPhone's Do Not Disturb and Focus features can silence calls from certain contacts, but they do not change the voicemail delay.