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
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.
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 #100# to get a menu and then type in 2 to recharge your credit youd type
#100*2#
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.
FYI, the comma comes from the old Hayes modem command language.
ATDTnumber,,option,option
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.
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
