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Original poster

If a phone rings once what does this mean?

40 replies

User700 · 09/12/2018 18:46

I'm trying to get in touch with someone who I've not spoken to for quite some time. When I rung them the phone rung once and went straight to voicemail. Could this mean they no longer have the number?

OP posts:
Squatternutbosh123 · 09/12/2018 19:12

Sounds like they cut you off

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:13

You're probably blocked.

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:14

If the number isn't in service, you get the 'this number is not in service' message. I'd say you're blocked.

Tuptup · 09/12/2018 19:14

If the number was no longer in use you wouldn't get a voicemail.

Bombardier25966 · 09/12/2018 19:16

Mobile or landline?

LondonLassInTheNorthPole · 09/12/2018 19:17

If you was blocked it would not of gone to voicemail !
And a message similar to "We cant connect your call" or a dead phone line sound would come up.

Sounds like phone is off or out of service

Avrannakern · 09/12/2018 19:17

When my mum's phone is switched off, it rings once then goes to voicemail. The one ring is like it connecting or something.

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 09/12/2018 19:18

Could be on Do Not Disturb if it's an iPhone

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:19

I've blocked someone and she still leaves me voicemails. You're blocked.

cheesywotnots · 09/12/2018 19:19

Some answerphones give you a choice of putting calls straight through to voicemail after one ring

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:19

In do not disturb mode it rings, you just don't hear it ringing.
You're blocked. It's that simple.

Reallybadidea · 09/12/2018 19:20

Try calling from a different number.

Tuptup · 09/12/2018 19:20

If you was blocked it would not of gone to voicemail !

For apple if you are blocked you can still leave a voicemail, the owner just won't get a notifcation about it
support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201229

hmmwhatatodo · 09/12/2018 19:20

It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re blocked!

Bufferingkisses · 09/12/2018 19:20

Blocking, phone off, no signal all do the same thing. Ignore the drama llamas, it does not give conclusive proof you are blocked.

hmmwhatatodo · 09/12/2018 19:21

It’s happened to me plenty of times when people are travelling on the underground for example.

howmanyslippers · 09/12/2018 19:22

On do not disturb it rings once then goes to answer machine,
If you ring 3 times I'm sure they are alerted then

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:23

I'm telling you (not an iphone) that the person I have blocked, leaves me frequent voice messages (usually telling me how frustrating it is that she can't get through to me). I then get a text message telling me I've a new voicemail. I'll know it's her because I won't have a missed call, and sure enough, it's my stalker every time.

If someone is underground, it doesn't ring at all. It goes straight to voicemail. Similarly if no phone signal/airplane mode/phone turned off.

You're blocked.

Extrastout · 09/12/2018 19:25

On do not disturb mode, to them it will sound like the phone rings out and you will get a missed voice call the next morning or whatever, but your phone won't ring or vibrate as you have it on DO NOT DISTURB.
Do not disturb is different to airplane mode.

pattimayonnaise · 09/12/2018 19:40

What network is this person on? My husband's phone rings once and goes to voicemail when it's switched off. He's with BT.

BitchQueen90 · 09/12/2018 19:43

Usually if it's off or no signal it goes straight to voicemail. If it rings once and then goes to voicemail it does usually mean you're blocked. I used to cold call and was blocked many times so you get to know the difference 😂

ShowOfHands · 09/12/2018 19:49

Both my phone and DH's phone ring once and go to voicemail if we've got no reception or we've put the phone on divert.

MorningsEleven · 09/12/2018 22:25

Try calling from a different number

Don't. Show them some respect and leave them alone.

rosettesforjill · 09/12/2018 22:31

My DH's phone often rings once and goes to voicemail and as far as I know I'm not blocked Grin

Normally it's because he has no signal, or he's in the middle of something and cancels the call. I wouldn't overthink it if it's only happened once - or is this multiple calls?

Osirus · 09/12/2018 23:22

There are other reasons apart from being blocked!!

This happens on my DH’s phone and my mum’s phone of the phone is off or there is no signal.

IT DOES NOT necessarily mean you are blocked.