How to set up call waiting on iPhone

You can turn on call waiting so incoming calls don't go straight to voicemail during a call if your iPhone uses a GSM network.

Last updated: October 16, 2026 9:23 pm

By Tom Griffin - Executive Editor

1 Min Read

You can set up call waiting on iPhone if you have cellular service through a GSM network, and if your cellular service is through a CDMA network, your carrier has information about setting up call waiting. Without it, incoming calls go directly to voicemail while you’re on a call.

On models with Dual SIM, it works only for calls on the same line, except when the other line has Wi-Fi Calling on and a data connection is available.

Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Apps, then tap Phone.
Tap Call Waiting, then turn on Call Waiting.

With call waiting turned off, incoming calls go straight to voicemail during a call. On an iPhone with Dual SIM, call waiting covers only incoming calls on the same line. The exception is when Wi-Fi Calling is turned on for the other line and a data connection is available.

TAGGED:Phone

ByTom Griffin

Executive Editor

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Tom Griffin is the editor-in-chief at GeeksChalk where he oversees all of site’s evergreen content to ensure it’s up to date with the latest information. Hailing from London in the UK, he has over seven years of experience in the tech journalism space and holds a degree in English Literature. In his spare time, Tom can found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, and petting every dog he comes across in the outside world.