> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://portaldocs.peartelco.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hold and Mute

> Put a caller on hold, resume the call, and mute your microphone

## Overview

**Hold** and **Mute** sound similar but do different things. On **hold**, the caller hears your hold music and can't hear anything at your end. On **mute**, the call carries on: you can still hear the caller, but they can't hear you.

| | You hear the caller | Caller hears you | Caller hears |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Hold** | No | No | Hold music |
| **Mute** | Yes | No | Silence |

## Putting a call on hold

**Button phones (T46 / T54)**

1. While you're on a call, a **Hold** button is visible on screen. Press it to place the call on hold.
2. The call is now held, and it's personal to you. Only your phone can take the caller off hold.
3. While the call is held, the **Hold** button changes to **Resume**. Press **Resume** to pick the call back up.

If you have more than one call on hold, use the **↑ ↓** navigation keys to highlight the call you want, then press **Resume**.

**Touch screens (T48 / T57)**

1. While you're on a call, a **Hold** button is visible on screen. Tap it to place the call on hold.
2. The call is now held, and it's personal to you. Only your phone can take the caller off hold.
3. While the call is held, the **Hold** button changes to **Resume**. Tap **Resume** to pick the call back up.

If you have more than one call on hold, tap the call you want in the on-screen call list first, then tap **Resume**.

> [!NOTE]
>
> A held call stays on your phone. It doesn't go anywhere, and the caller keeps listening to hold music until you come back. If you want the call to end up with a colleague instead, [transfer it](https://portaldocs.peartelco.app/phones/calls/transferring-calls.md).

## Muting your microphone

1. During the call, press the **Mute** key. It glows red while you're muted.
2. Press **Mute** again to unmute.

> [!TIP]
>
> Mute is perfect for coughing, checking something with a colleague, or typing loudly. The call continues and the caller simply hears silence for a moment.

## Frequently asked questions

**How long can I leave someone on hold?**

As long as you need, but callers get impatient quickly. If it's going to be more than a minute or so, consider offering to call them back.

**Can someone else pick up a call I've put on hold?**

No. A held call can only be resumed from your phone. If a colleague needs to take it, [transfer the call](https://portaldocs.peartelco.app/phones/calls/transferring-calls.md) to them, or [park it](https://portaldocs.peartelco.app/phones/features/call-park.md) so anyone can collect it.

**I keep forgetting I'm on mute.**

Watch the **Mute** key. It glows red the whole time you're muted. Press it again and you're back.


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