Automatically dial extensions for Android contacts

Instead of dialing the extension for people or businesses you call often, program them right into the contact information.

A lot of companies have an automated service that answers their incoming phone calls. However, it's a bit of a pain when you're trying to dial a company and have to wait to enter the extension number each time for the department or person you're trying to reach. This is especially true when you don't remember the extension and you have to check out the contact information to find it.

Luckily Android dialer apps allow you to program the extension into the contact information. There are two different styles you can use: pause or wait. Read on to learn the differences and how to use each.

Tip: If you cannot find the options mentioned below, you may need to open an extra symbol menu on your number pad. In most cases you can just use the required punctuation from the alphabetical version of the keyboard.

Pause option:

On the number pad, this will either appear as a comma (,) or "pause." Using this option means that when you dial a number, the extension is used automatically after the dialer app detects that the phone has been answered.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

To use pause, enter the number like this: 1-555-555-1234,77 -- where "77" is the extension you need to dial.

Wait option:

The wait option appears as semicolon (;) or "wait" on the number pad.This option should be used when you are calling somewhere that requires listening to the entire automated message before allowing any menu or extension selections. Instead of just keying the numbers for you, a pop-up will appear on the screen with extension, asking if you should send it now. It will remain on the screen while in the call until you decide to send the extension or cancel.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

To use wait, enter the number like this: 1-555-555-1234;88 -- where "88" is the extension.

And if you really want to get fancy, you can enter combinations like 88,77; and so on to account for menus that you need to navigate on their phone system.