Is it possible to go straight to someone’s voicemail?

[Mikebentley]

A couple of times lately when I have been trying to get hold of people they have called me and gone straight to my voicemail without the phone ringing. I wasn’t on another call and was at home with full signal. The thing is it has been people who owe me money and it’s almost too convenient.

I just searched and there was something called SLYDIAL but this might have been in USA only.

Any ideas?

[anonymous-user]

My phone does this all the time. It's followed me across networks and handsets so I think it's just a thing mobile phones do. I mean, they've only been doing it for 30 years so haven't quite had time to get it right.

[aaron_2000]

The only reason it should go to voicemail is if it's unable to create a call. Usually if the recipient is engaged, or if a connection can't be made because the phone is off or not connected.

[Plate spinner]

Pretty sure T Mobile / Orange used to offer the service of sending a voicemail directly. No idea if you still can though.

[Mikebentley]

The one was a couple of hours ago and it’s someone who knows they owe me money with today’s deadline. They are on Giff Gaff, I am EE. Just called them and no answer....An old fashioned knock on their door maybe required.

[Nickbrapp]

If you use do not disturb on a iPhone it will silence the call straight away I think to voicemail

[bristolbaron]

I don’t know the answer to your question but a relevant top tip:
If you want to leave someone a message on a mobile, instead of listening to the whole VM greeting you can press # to skip to the beep.

[Second Best]

My work phone allows multiple calls coming in - so if the phone's on, it'll accept a call whether I'm in one or not. If I'm in a call and get another one it'll ping me asking what I want to do - end and accept, hold and accept, or merge the calls. The only time it'll refuse a call (aside from no signal or being switched off), is if I'm ringing someone and they haven't picked up. I'm not a telephony expert but I assume once a call is answered my phone creates another virtual line, but if it's still ringing, it won't do so.

My personal phone only allows one call at a time, so if I'm on a call and someone rings me, it goes straight to voicemail.

These are both iPhones and I set them that way, it's a relatively easy keypad entry setting.

[steve2]

In my office there is a dead spot and I will find I have had a call and it has gone to voicemail and rinwill onlgvget notified when I take the phone out of the office, also happens with messages

[anonymous-user]

You certainly used to be able to put a #xxx number before dialling and go straight to voicemail.

[rdjohn]

I have been having a similar problem with Vodafone.

Not enough rings to answer the phone unless it was in my hand. They gave me a long code the last number of which can be between 0 and 30 for the number of rings before it goes to answerphone.

Presumably other providers must have something similar.

[maccas99]

It could be that your phone is struggling to start the actual phone app if it's low on memory or running to many apps. This shouldn't be the case with an iPhone but maybe on an old Andriod. You could forward calls to your landline until the problem is sorted, that way you wouldn't miss the calls (as long as you are at home or place of work).

[sgrimshaw]

rdjohn said:

I have been having a similar problem with Vodafone.
Presumably other providers must have something similar.

Yup.


https://www.which.co.uk/news/2015/02/how-to-increa...

[Mikebentley]

I have done a full reset and messaged with person who was calling me. There was nothing wrong with my phone yesterday as evidenced by the 100 calls and texts I took from various sources. I believe they were lying about the dozen unrecieved texts they sent. They eventually left a voice mail saying they could only give me £50 not the £250 they owe me because they are moving house! Not what the arrangement was 3 weeks ago.
Anyway I digress, they seem to have some way either intentionally or due to a network fault at their end of going straight to my voicemail. I have suggested they speak with their network and turn handset off and on again.