How to Make Calls Go Straight to Voicemail iPhone

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to avoid answering a phone call and have it go straight to voicemail? Maybe you were in a meeting, or simply not in the mood to talk, and wanted the caller to leave a message instead. Well, you’re in luck because in this blog post, we will explore various methods to make calls go straight to voicemail on an iPhone.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy way to send calls directly to voicemail, or if you want to customize your settings for specific contacts, we’ve got you covered. We will discuss the different options available to you and provide step-by-step instructions to help you achieve your desired outcome. So, let’s get started!

What’s Needed?

To implement the methods discussed in this blog post, you’ll need the following:

  • An iPhone
  • A working voicemail set up on your iPhone
  • Basic knowledge of iPhone settings and features

With these prerequisites in place, you’ll be ready to explore the options and make calls go straight to voicemail on your iPhone.

Video Tutorial:

What Requires Your Focus?

Before diving into the methods, it’s important to understand the key areas that will require your focus. Here are the main aspects to keep in mind:

  • Understanding the default behavior of incoming calls on your iPhone
  • Learning how to enable the "Do Not Disturb" feature
  • Exploring contact-specific options and customizations
  • Familiarizing yourself with alternative solutions in case the methods mentioned here don’t work for you

Now that we have an overview of what’s needed and what requires your focus, let’s dive into the different options available to make calls go straight to voicemail on an iPhone.

Option 1. How to Enable Do Not Disturb Mode

Enabling the "Do Not Disturb" mode is a simple and effective way to make calls go straight to voicemail on your iPhone. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen on iPhone models with Face ID, or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone models with a Home button.

Step 2: Tap on the crescent moon icon to enable "Do Not Disturb" mode. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and toggle the switch to turn it on.

Step 3: With "Do Not Disturb" mode enabled, incoming calls will automatically be silenced and sent to voicemail. You can customize the behavior further by allowing calls from specific contacts or setting up a schedule for "Do Not Disturb" mode. Simply go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Allow Calls From, and choose the desired option.

Pros:

  • Quick and easy way to enable "Do Not Disturb" mode
  • Customizable settings for allowing calls from specific contacts
  • Option to set up a schedule for "Do Not Disturb" mode

Cons:

  • All calls will be sent to voicemail, not just specific ones
  • May miss important calls if not set up correctly

Option 2. How to Use the Silent Ringtone Method

Another method to make calls go straight to voicemail is by utilizing the silent ringtone method. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a silent ringtone using a third-party app or by following online tutorials.

Step 2: Once you have the silent ringtone file, transfer it to your iPhone. You can do this by connecting your iPhone to your computer and using iTunes or using cloud storage services like iCloud Drive.

Step 3: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

Step 4: Scroll down and tap on "Silent" to select it as your default ringtone.

Step 5: Keep your iPhone in silent or vibrate mode, and incoming calls will be silent, effectively sending them straight to voicemail.

Pros:

  • Allows you to receive other notifications and alerts while calls go straight to voicemail
  • Can be customized for different contacts by assigning specific ringtones

Cons:

  • Requires the creation and transfer of a silent ringtone
  • May involve additional steps and technical know-how

Option 3. How to Use the Block Contact Method

If you want to make calls go straight to voicemail for a specific contact, you can use the block contact method. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Phone app on your iPhone and go to the "Recents" tab or "Contacts" tab.

Step 2: Find the contact you want to send to voicemail and tap on the circled "i" icon next to their name.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap on "Block this Caller" or "Block Contact."

Step 4: Confirm the block by selecting "Block Contact" again.

Step 5: As a result, all incoming calls, messages, and FaceTime requests from the blocked contact will be sent straight to voicemail.

Pros:

  • Allows you to block specific contacts and send their calls directly to voicemail
  • Can be reversed if needed by unblocking the contact

Cons:

  • Only applicable for specific contacts
  • Blocking a contact may also prevent other forms of communication, like messages or FaceTime

Option 4. How to Use the Airplane Mode Method

The Airplane Mode method temporarily disables all wireless communications on your iPhone, effectively sending calls straight to voicemail. Here’s how to use this method:

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone’s screen to open the Control Center.

Step 2: Tap on the airplane icon to enable Airplane Mode. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Airplane Mode and toggle the switch to turn it on.

Step 3: With Airplane Mode enabled, all calls will be sent directly to voicemail. To receive other notifications and alerts, you can manually enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while keeping cellular data and phone calls disabled.

Pros:

  • Quick and easy to enable/disable Airplane Mode
  • Allows you to receive other notifications and alerts while calls go straight to voicemail

Cons:

  • Disables all wireless communications, which may not be ideal if you need to stay connected
  • May forget to disable Airplane Mode, resulting in missed calls

Why Can’t I Make Calls Go Straight to Voicemail?

While the methods mentioned above should work for most individuals, there may be situations where they don’t produce the desired outcome. Here are three alternative solutions you can try:

  • Check your iPhone’s software version and update if necessary. Outdated software may cause unexpected behavior.
  • Reset your iPhone’s settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will revert your settings to factory defaults, so make sure to back up your data beforehand.
  • Contact Apple Support if none of the above solutions work. They can provide personalized advice and troubleshooting for your specific device and situation.

Implications and Recommendations

Here are three key implications to consider when making calls go straight to voicemail on your iPhone:

  • Be mindful of the potential consequences of not answering calls promptly, especially in urgent or time-sensitive situations.
  • Keep important contacts in mind and ensure you have alternative methods of communication established in case calls go straight to voicemail.
  • Regularly review your call settings and preferences to ensure they align with your current needs and circumstances.

The Bottom Line

Making calls go straight to voicemail on an iPhone can be achieved through various methods. Whether it’s enabling "Do Not Disturb" mode, using silent ringtones, blocking specific contacts, or utilizing Airplane Mode, you have options to suit your preferences and needs. Remember to consider the implications and recommendations discussed here to ensure a seamless communication experience.

5 FAQs about Making Calls Go Straight to Voicemail on iPhone

Q1: Can I make all calls go straight to voicemail on my iPhone?

A: Yes, you can make all calls go straight to voicemail by enabling the "Do Not Disturb" mode or using the Airplane Mode method.

Q2: Will the blocked contact know that their calls are going straight to voicemail?

A: No, the blocked contact will not receive any notification that their calls are being sent directly to voicemail.

Q3: Can I still make outgoing calls when using the Airplane Mode method?

A: No, Airplane Mode disables all wireless communications, including making outgoing calls.

Q4: Can I use a custom ringtone to differentiate between blocked contacts?

A: Unfortunately, the ringtone method mentioned here only enables silent ringtones for all incoming calls, so you cannot differentiate between different blocked contacts using this method.

Q5: Is it possible to make calls go straight to voicemail on specific days or times?

A: Yes, you can set up a schedule for when "Do Not Disturb" mode is enabled and configure it to allow calls from specific contacts during those times.