One code, two carriers: call waiting uses the identical *43# on both Etisalat and Du, since it’s a GSM network standard rather than something either operator built themselves — but what happens if you hear the beep and simply don’t respond differs depending on your voicemail setup, which is the part most guides skip.
Quick answer
Dial *43# to activate, #43# to deactivate, and *#43# to check status. Identical codes and behaviour on both Etisalat and Du.
If you don’t press anything during the beep
Ignoring the waiting-call beep doesn’t disconnect your current call — that continues uninterrupted. What happens to the second caller depends on your voicemail configuration: if voicemail is active, they’re typically routed there after your network’s ring timeout; if not, they may simply hear continued ringing until they give up. Either way, your active call is never at risk.
Switching between the two calls
Press your phone’s call button (often labelled “Swap”) to place the first caller on hold and answer the second. Press it again to swap back — neither caller is disconnected in the process, and neither is aware you’ve swapped away unless you say so.
A universal standard, not carrier-specific
Because *43# is defined by the GSM standard itself, it behaves identically whether you’re on Etisalat, Du, or roaming on a foreign network abroad — there’s no UAE-specific quirk here, unlike call forwarding where Du’s double-asterisk format differs from Etisalat’s.
Want a permanent redirect instead of just a waiting notification? See Etisalat forwarding or Du forwarding (note: the codes differ between the two).
*43# is the GSM/3GPP standard supplementary-service code, verified against both e&’s and du’s official support guidance, July 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Activate
Dial *43# and press Call. A confirmation message appears.
- 2
Check status
Dial *#43# to verify whether call waiting is active or inactive.
- 3
Deactivate
Dial #43# to turn off call waiting when not needed.
Alternative Methods
Dial *43# (activate) / #43# (deactivate) from your phone dialer.
Phone Settings > Call Settings
Troubleshooting
*43# returns error
Try activating through your phone settings instead: Settings > Phone/Call > Call Waiting toggle.
Don't hear beep during calls
Ensure call waiting is active with *#43#. Some phone models have their own call waiting settings that override the carrier setting.
Look Up More USSD Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
Does call waiting cost extra?
No, setup is free on both Etisalat and Du — only the calls themselves are charged.
Does it work the same on both Etisalat and Du?
Yes, *43# is a standard GSM code identical on both UAE carriers and virtually all networks worldwide.
Will callers know I have call waiting?
No — they simply hear normal ringing rather than a busy tone; you're the only one who hears the beep.
What happens to the second caller if I ignore the beep entirely?
They typically go to voicemail if you have it set up, or continue ringing until they hang up if you don't.
Is call waiting different between Etisalat and Du, like forwarding is?
No — unlike forwarding, where Du uses double asterisks and Etisalat uses single, call waiting's *43# is identical on both.