Have you ever needed to temporarily block calls or notifications on your mobile device? Whether you‘re in an important meeting, driving, or just want some distraction-free time, making your smartphone show up as perpetually "busy" when someone calls can be useful.
In this guide, I‘ll provide an overview of how busy signals and call forwarding features have evolved before outlining actionable steps to enable out of office settings on both iOS and Android platforms. You‘ll learn how to:
- Make an iPhone flip to voicemail every time someone calls
- Quickly disconnect incoming calls on Androids
- Customize auto-reply messages and scheduling options
- Understand the pros and cons of each approach
I‘ll also offer troubleshooting tips from my experience as an iOS developer and guide you visually with screenshots. Follow along to take control over managing disruptions on your mobile phone.
A History of Phones Appearing "Busy"
The idea that a telephone can seem too "busy" to receive another call has been around since the early 20th century days of manual switchboard operators. They used physical cable connections that only supported one call at a time per line.
By the 1960s, improved telephone exchange technology could check if a line was actually in use or just not being answered. This created the distinct three beep "busy signal" tone we still recognize today.
Eventually exchanges also enabled call forwarding – allowing users to reroute calls to another destination like an answering service. Much like those old switchboard days, this made the line sound continuously busy.
Fast forward to contemporary mobile networks where both iOS and Android leverage versions of busy signals and call forwarding features with some key differences in implementation.
iOS Forwards Calls to Voicemail
iPhone‘s running Apple‘s iOS operating system trigger a fake busy state by using call forwarding. When enabled in settings, iOS immediately sends all incoming calls to voicemail without ever ringing your phone.
To the caller, it simply seems like your line is actively busy on another call. Meanwhile your device shows no signs of the incoming attempts.
Here are the simple steps to flip this switch on your iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings
- Choose Phone
- Enable Call Forwarding
- Input your voicemail number provided by your cell carrier
- Toggle Call Forwarding switch on (green is on)
Now all calls will forward straight to voicemail with callers hearing the busy tone. They may opt to leave a message.
Your device will not ring, buzz, or otherwise notify you of calls coming in. You‘re free to continue using your phone without disruptions.
Enabling call forwarding on iOS instantly flips to voicemail. (Source: PCMag)
Customizing iOS Do Not Disturb
For added flexibility, try using the Do Not Disturb feature instead of basic call forwarding.
Do Not Disturb provides further options to:
- Set schedules to suppress notifications during certain times or events
- Allow calls from special contacts like family or bosses
- Quickly toggle it on temporarily via Control Center
- Customize auto-reply messages callers will receive
The Do Not Disturb While Driving setting is another great hands-free way to auto-reply when you cannot pick up while operating a vehicle. This can reduce temptations to engage with distracting calls or texts.
Android Uses Other Methods
Out of the box, Android‘s base operating system does not include an integrated busy signal feature like iOS does. However, Android does provide a few alternative options to achieve similar outcomes:
- Airplane mode – immediately drops cellular connection
- Do Not Disturb – mutes calls and notifications
- Call forwarding – to another designated number
Let‘s explore how these work in more detail and key capability differences compared to iPhones.
Leverage Airplane Mode
The fastest way to instantly disconnect from an unwanted incoming call on Android is to toggle on airplane mode. This cuts all wireless and cellular connectivity in a snap.
The caller will hear the line drop rather than a stand-in busy signal. Here are the steps:
- Swipe down from top to reveal notifications
- Long press the airplane mode icon
- Tap the airplane mode tile to enable it
- Once the caller disconnects, reverse to disable airplane mode and restore connections
This method instantly dismisses the call attempt but provides no busy facade. It‘s ideal for quick one off situations where you don‘t want the phone ringing right then.
Use Do Not Disturb Mode
Activating Do Not Disturb provides a simpler always on busy state. Android‘s implementation is similar to iOS with options to:
- Set schedules
- Allow exceptions
- Quick toggle via notifications
With Do Not Disturb enabled, your phone will not ring, buzz, or otherwise notify you of incoming communication attempts. Follow these steps:
- Open phone Settings
- Choose Sounds or Notifications
- Toggle Do Not Disturb switch on
Customize to your preferences from there. Just know, none of your incoming calls will go to voicemail as they would with iOS call forwarding.
Forward Calls to Another Number
You can also choose to forwarding all calls to a separate phone number instead:
- Open Android phone Settings
- Choose Calling accounts
- Select your active account
- Enable Call forwarding
- Enter desired number to forward calls to
With this activated, your device will not directly receive any calls. They all get pushed to the other specified line, keeping your phone in a perpetual busy state as far as callers are concerned.
Compare iPhone and Android Options
Here is a breakdown comparing iOS to Android differencess regarding busy signal settings and behaviors:
| Feature | iPhone | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Busy Signal | Auto forward to voicemail | No native support |
| Temporary Exit | Airplane mode | Airplane mode |
| Mute Notifications | Do Not Disturb | Do Not Disturb |
| Custom Schedules | Yes | Yes |
| Allow Exceptions | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-Reply Messages | Yes | No |
| Easy Temporary Trigger | From control center | Via notifications |
iOS Pros and Cons
Pros
- Callers hear realistic busy signal
- Voicemail option to leave messages
- Very simple automatic activation
Cons
- Callers may not bother leaving voicemails
- Minutes used if forwarding to mobile numbers
- All incoming calls blocked, including wanted ones
Android Pros and Cons
Pros
- Instant connection dropping with airplane mode
- Can customize exclusions for priority callers
- Won‘t burn phone plan minutes
Cons
- No built-in busy signal facade
- Must pre-configure more elaborate setups
- Can seem suspicious to suddenly disconnect
Hopefully breaking down these key platform differences helps you better understand the limitations and use case scenarios where you might choose one approach over the other.
Tips and Best Practices
Here are some additional tips from my experience for customizing busy preferences:
- Record a voicemail greeting on iPhones reminding callers you are unavailable and to leave a message
- Forward Android calls to Google Voice to avoid using cell plan minutes
- Set temporary busy mode via Accessibility shortcuts on both iOS and Android
- Create context appropriate auto-reply messages on iPhones
- Toggle between silent and busy to suit changing needs
- Use schedules judiciously avoiding frequent unwanted disruption
Take the time to test and fine tune settings to best meet your individual use cases. Reach out in the comments below if you have any other questions.
Take Control of Incoming Calls
As you can see, both major mobile platforms provide ways to effectively control if and how incoming calls are allowed to disrupt you. The solutions range from quick temporary fixes to more enduring out of office style experiences.
Now that you know the various options and key differences between iOS and Android, you can determine the best approach for you based on your priorities and situations.
Whether you simply need to sneak away for a few minutes or want to remain undisturbed for extended periods, following the steps outlined above will help you skillfully dodge calls when necessary. Here‘s to taking back control of your devices so you can focus on the moments in life that matter most.
