How To Call Extension On iPhone
So, you’ve switched to the ubiquitous iPhone, but find yourself grappling with one issue: how do you dial an extension? While it might seem like a simple task, getting your smartphone to successfully call an extension could be a bit tricky, particularly if you’re doing it for the first time. Fortunately for you, we’ve done the heavy lifting and we’re here to provide all the information you need on how to call extensions on your iPhone.
Understanding the concept of an extension call
Before delving into the how-tos, it’s crucial to understand what an extension call is. Essentially, an extension is a short internal number assigned to a specific line within a larger telephone system. This can be found in many larger organizations, where each department or individual has its own specific extension.
Calling an extension is not a straightforward dialling process because automated switchboards typically necessitate that you listen to a recorded phone menu and press relevant numbers before you can finally dial the actual extension.
Dialling Extensions Using the iPhone’s Built-In Pause Feature
The iPhone offers a built-in functionality that allows you to dial an extension directly. This feature uses the principle of adding a pause or a wait, then entering the extension number. To use this feature, follow these steps;
- Open Phone and tap Keypad.
- Enter the main number you’re calling, then tap the “+ * #” button at the bottom left of the keypad.
- Tap the “pause” button, which will add a comma (,) to the number. This instructs your iPhone to pause before dialing the remaining numbers.
- Enter the extension number and press the call button.
This method works efficiently for extensions that can be entered as soon as the call connects.
Using the Wait Feature in Case of Automated Systems
In some cases, the system may require you to listen to an automated message before entering the extension. In such instances, the wait feature comes in handy. This feature can be accessed in the same way as the pause feature, but instead of choosing pause, you should select the wait option.
After pressing “wait”, you add a semicolon (;) to your number string instead of a comma, and your iPhone will prompt you to dial the next string of numbers, in this case, the extension, when the time comes.
Adding Extensions to Contacts
We often find ourselves dialing some numbers regularly, and if such numbers involve using extensions, the iPhone provides an efficient way to store them. On the contact you wish to add an extension to, tap on “edit,” then on “add phone.” You can then use the “+ * #” key to add a pause or wait feature and the extension.
To wrap it up, thanks to the built-in capabilities offered by the iPhone, you don’t have to worry about navigating through the tedious process of manually entering extensions each time you place a call. With a few taps on your device, you can automate the process and make calling extensions on an iPhone a walk in the park. As it turns out, making an extension call on an iPhone boils down to a crafty play with pauses and waits!