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YSK: Commas can be used in phone numbers to automatically input automated menu options

For instance, I’m on Jury Duty in the US this week. Kinda a freebie but I still have to call in and input my “ID” number, birthday, and zip code before entering phone tree options to hear my summons status. So I saved a contact in my phone for the jury hotline with the main number, my Id number, birthday, zip code, and menu option numbers all separated by a comma. Now when I dial using the saved contact, it will automatically enter everything in and I don’t have to fumble around and spend unneeded time to hear if I have to report.

This can easily be adapted for any automated phone system that you call frequently although you’ll have the best results when you have to enter in a long account number like at a bank.

YYSK: It’s a huge timesaver in the age of digital automation to use your phone to navigate phone tree menus

randomTingler ,

It’s a good tip, but nowadays a lot of apps accessing the contacts. Storing secured information on contacts is vulnerable. Please be mind it.

x4740N ,
@x4740N@lemmy.world avatar

You can also automate those USSD menus (the menus that show up when you dial a specific number

For example

#[number here]*[menu option]#

So say if you had to dail # to get a menu and then type in 2 to recharge your credit youd type

*2#

teamevil ,

I have been using commas to dial with my comms system and was really proud of myself when I figured it out. Now I feel like a dumbass not even thinking about using it for a regular phone.

RickRussell_CA ,
@RickRussell_CA@lemmy.world avatar

FYI, the comma comes from the old Hayes modem command language.

<pre style="background-color:#ffffff;">
<span style="color:#323232;">ATDTnumber,,option,option
</span>

ATtention Dial Tone number pause pause option pause option

Each comma was about a 2 second pause. You can use multiple commas for longer pauses.

low_bass2 ,

Just tested as I have to clock in and out at work by calling and entering my employee number and then pressing 1 or 2. It worked! I saved both as contacts “clock in” and “clock out”. That’s badass, thanks

Bladerunner ,

Next, add a field - phonetic first name or phonetic company name (depending on what’s being used already) and enter A.

Now they should appear at the top of the contact list

AshLassay ,

Could also just use a voice command. “hey Google, call clock out”

Or a shortcut in the home screen

Poob ,

Wow, this place is like life hacks, but not terrible!

Rentlar ,

For the Android dialer, hold the star (*) key to input the comma into your number.

DampCanary ,
@DampCanary@lemmy.world avatar

wow,

it poped hamburger menu next to it and offered to add 2 sec pause(,) or wait(;).

tnx

android 2 sec wait option

SirEDCaLot ,

Another thing to add, if you put a semicolon instead of a comma, on Android at least it will stop and pop up a prompt that you can hit continue for it to keep dialing the rest of the digits.

WhatASave ,

Having a Pixel phone is always so great for calling these types of numbers. If it’s a popular enough number, it will show on the screen like text messages of all the # options as soon as it connects if it knows it. If it doesn’t it will still display voice to text so you don’t have to try and remember the best option. It will even “hold” for you and when someone picks up on the business’s end it will let them know you’ll pick up in a second and notify you. Sometimes it will even have info on the current average wait time.

It’s made calling companies so much nicer.

PixelPassport ,
@PixelPassport@chat.maiion.com avatar

That and the call screening! Anyone not in my contacts gets to talk to the Google AI, haven’t been bothered by spam calls in years!

Xylight ,
@Xylight@lemmy.world avatar

It’s funny to read the transcripts of my scam calls “helo this is Amazon we want to confirm order of appel macbook pro for 195,824$ please confirm thank you”

low_bass2 ,

Im using a Pixel Experience rom with Google Dialer included. When I tested this on an obscure number, it actually transcribed it for me in real time! So I think as long as you add a comma, it works for any number

MedicPigBabySaver ,

Oh yes, I use ‘hold’ feature often. Good stuff.

KuroJ ,

May I ask what pixel do you have? I’ve been on the fence for a long time about buying one and I’m interested in those features you mentioned, but I’ve heard they have some issues such as overheating and bad battery life, at least for the 6.

WhatASave ,

I’m on a Pixel 7 Pro. I really enjoy it. The camera is amazing and a lot of the Google features are really handy. Handy enough that it will be difficult to go with another brand I think.

It is also nice getting all of the newest Google features as they come out too! Though I do usually try and change manufacturers every time I get a new phone. I like trying new stuff out though.

Rozz ,

I used this at work; I saved a number to login to my conference call (pre-video conferencing) and actually join with prompts.

eee ,

Damn, this is mindblowing. How have I gotten through life without knowing this!

bdonvr ,

You should mention that the commas just make the phone wait a second or two before continuing dialing.

For my work I have to press “1” then the extension number. But you have to wait for an opening message before it will allow you to press “1”

My contact for my workplace is <phone number>,1,<extension>

You’ll have to do some experimenting to get the delay right.

But now I can call work handsfree.

Bazoogle ,

Can you put multiple commas in a row for a longer wait?

bdonvr ,

Yep!

clutch ,

Yes. Usually 1-2s per comma.

JshKlsn ,
@JshKlsn@lemmy.ml avatar

With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

,1

JshKlsn , (edited )
@JshKlsn@lemmy.ml avatar

With every answering system having a 65 hour long COVID policy update added to their intro in both English and French (Canadian here), my number would have to look like

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,1

usualsuspect191 ,

I believe a semi-colon means your phone waits to send the next string of numbers until you tell it to so you can still have everything queued up and just listen instead of trying to pre-program the timing

chris2112 ,

I had a job a few years ago where my account kept getting locked out (their IT security department was kinda paranoid and basically everything could get you locked out). I used this to crest a shortcut on my phone to call their automated help desk line and enter in my employee id / dob/ whatever else they needed to unlock my account, at one point it was happening several times a day. Left that job shortly after thankfully

call_me_xale ,

Caveat emptor: the commas just insert pauses - there isn’t any sort of “synchronization” with the system on the other end, so if the timing is off, this may not do the right thing.

Confetti_Camouflage ,
@Confetti_Camouflage@pawb.social avatar

Thanks, this is kind of a huge detail that was left out.

billygoat ,

Yep, you’d see this used most often with fax machines if the receiver was an IVR.

Golfnbrew ,

Yeah, back in the day of dial-up connections, we used to insert two commas

someguy3 ,

So maybe 2 or 3 commas after the phone number, so the system can pick up the phone?

How many seconds pause is a comma?

preciouspupp ,

Some source suggested around 2 seconds.

Rozz ,

I forget but you can “hear” the pause and when it dials the next number. It didn’t feel especially long

Rozz ,

Yes, you have to test it. Sometimes two or more commas work best depending on the system.

SmallAlmond ,

That is a crazy tech tip, thank you so much, my mind is blown

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