How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Android, iPhone, & Landline

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Call divert codes, plus steps to forward all mobile calls
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to forward or divert incoming phone calls to a different phone number on your Android, iPhone, or landline. The steps to activate call forwarding vary depending on your phone service, device, and location. If you aren't able to activate call forwarding in your settings, you can quickly enable or disable it using call divert codes.

Set Up Call Forwarding: Quick Guide

  • On an iPhone, you can set up call forwarding in Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding .
  • On Android, enable call forwarding in Phone > menu > Settings > Calls (or More Settings ) > Call Forwarding .
  • If you can't activate call forwarding this way, or you're using a landline, you can use call divert codes to forward calls conditionally or unconditionally.
Section 1 of 5:

Set Up Call Forwarding on iPhone

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  1. You’ll usually find it on the home screen. [1]
    • This method will forward all incoming calls to a different phone number. If you only want to forward phone calls in certain situations (such as when you’re on the phone or unavailable), jump to Using Call Divert Codes .
  2. 2
    Scroll down and tap Apps . It's all the way at the bottom of the menu.
    • If you're using iOS 17 or earlier, you can skip this step.
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  3. This opens your settings for the Phone app. [2]
  4. If your carrier supports forwarding all calls to a different phone number, you will see this option here. [3]
    • If your carrier doesn't support call forwarding, you won't see this option. Instead, contact your carrier for call forwarding options.
  5. The Call Forwarding icon (a phone receiver) will appear in the status bar at the top of the screen.
    • If your iPhone is dual SIM, select a line to continue.
  6. The keypad will appear.
  7. This is the phone number that your incoming calls will be forwarded to.
  8. It’s at the top-left corner. This saves your changes and adds a new icon to the status bar at the top of the screen. As long as your calls are being forwarded, a tiny icon of a phone receiver with a right-pointing arrow will be visible in that bar.
    • To disable call forwarding, return to the Call Forwarding screen and toggle off the switch.
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Section 2 of 5:

Set Up Call Forwarding on Android

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  1. This is the app you use to make phone calls. [4]
    • Since there are many different phone apps available for different versions of Android, your menu names may not match what you see here. If you can’t follow these steps exactly, try browsing different menus until you find the Call Forwarding option.
    • Some carriers do not support call forwarding. If you purchased your phone from a carrier that doesn’t support forwarding, you may not find a Call Forwarding menu (or the options within it may be disabled).
  2. The menu icon will usually look like three lines ( ≡ ) or three dots ( ⁝ or ⋯ ).
  3. If you don’t see this option, it may be in a different menu.
  4. This menu may also be called Call Settings . [5]
  5. A list of forwarding options will appear.
    • If your carrier doesn’t support call forwarding, you may not see this menu at all.
  6. Tap Always forward to forward all incoming calls to the desired number, or tap the option that best fits your situation (e.g., Forward when busy ) instead. [6]
  7. This is the phone number that your incoming calls will be forwarded to. [7]
  8. All incoming phone calls will now be forwarded to the number you selected.
    • To disable call forwarding, return to this screen and tap TURN OFF .
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Section 3 of 5:

Using Call Divert Codes (Mobile)

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  1. If you can't set up call forwarding in your smartphone's settings, or you are using a non-smart cell phone, you can use call divert codes to forward calls to another number. The codes do vary by carrier, and not all carriers support these codes.
    • Verizon
      • Forward all calls: Dial *72, followed by the number you want to forward to. [8]
      • Forward when you're busy or don't answer: Dial * 71, followed by the number to forward to.
      • Turn off any type of call forwarding: *73
    • T-Mobile, Rogers, AT&T, Telus:
      • Forward all calls: **21*1+PhoneNumber#. [9]
        • To disable, dial ##21#
      • Forward if you don’t answer: **61*1+PhoneNumber#
        • To disable, dial ##61#
      • Forward if you’re on another call: **67*1+PhoneNumber#
        • To disable, dial ##67#
Section 4 of 5:

Set Up Call Forwarding on a Landline (North America)

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  1. When you hear the dial tone, enter the call divert code you want to use. After a brief pause (or three quick dial tones), you’ll hear the steady dial tone once more. The code you’ll dial depends on how you want to forward calls: [10]
    • Forward all incoming calls: *72
    • Selective call forwarding: *63
      • This will prompt a menu that walks you through the process of choosing which calls are forwarded to a different phone number. [11]
    • Forward all calls when you don’t answer: *92
    • Forward all calls when your line is busy/on the other line: *90
    • Some phone providers require you to sign up for call forwarding/diversion at an additional cost. This method will only work if your service supports call forwarding.
  2. This is the phone number that your incoming calls will be forwarded to.
    • Enter the number as you would normally dial it. For example, if you're calling outside of your area code, you would need to enter 1, followed by the area code. [12]
  3. Confirmation may occur in one of two ways:
    • If you hear a confirmation message, you’re all set.
    • If you hear ringing through the receiver, this means your provider will confirm the forwarding once another party answers the call.
  4. If you decide not to forward calls, dial one of the following codes: [13]
    • Stop forwarding all calls: *73
    • Stop forwarding on no answer: *93
    • Stop forwarding when busy: *91
    • Stop selective call forwarding: *83
      • If you are using AT&T home phone service, add a # symbol to the end of the code. For example, to turn off selective call forwarding, you'd enter *83# . [14]
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Section 5 of 5:

Set Up Call Forwarding on Landline (Europe and Australia)

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  1. When you hear the dial tone, enter the call divert code for the type of call forwarding you want to set up:
    • BT, SkyTalk, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and others
      • Divert all calls: Enter *21* , enter the phone number to forward to, and then press # . (phone number to forward to). [15]
      • Divert when busy: Enter *67* , enter the phone number to forward to, and press # .
      • Divert when you don’t answer within 15 seconds: Enter *61* , followed by the phone number you want to forward calls to, then press #.
    • Virgin Media (Dial 1765 to find out your area color first) [16]
      • Divert all calls:
        • In red areas, dial *70* , wait for the tone, then enter the phone number to forward to.
        • In purple, green, yellow, and blue areas, dial *21 , wait for the tone, then enter the number to forward to.
        • For other divert codes, contact Virgin Media.
    • Some phone providers require you to sign up for call forwarding/diversion at an additional cost. This method will only work if your service supports call diversion.
  2. If you decide to disable call diversion, pick up the phone and dial #(the diversion code)# . [17]
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  • Question
    Can a specific call be manually forwarded before or after the user answers?
    Community Answer
    *72 -- call the number you want to forward to. If answered completely. If there is no answer, call number again and your number is forwarded.
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  • Question
    What cell code do I use to request my balance/minutes?
    Community Answer
    Everyone's cell code is different. Contact your cell phone company if you haven't recorded yours and need to reset it.
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  • Question
    How do I set up a Samsung tablet?
    Community Answer
    Go to settings, then go to app settings. Click "phone"; you can set it up there.
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      • If you don't have a plan with unlimited minutes, your mobile provider will bill you for forwarded calls the same way it would bill you if you were to answer it on your phone. [18]
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      • Some mobile carriers, including T-Mobile, don't allow you to forward calls to international phone numbers. [19]
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      • Some mobile and landline phone plans may charge a fee to enable call forwarding. Contact your phone service provider if you're unsure.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-call-forwarding-and-call-waiting-iphe9bdd027a/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-call-forwarding-and-call-waiting-iphe9bdd027a/ios
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-call-forwarding-iphe9bdd027a/ios
      4. ↑ https://support.bell.ca/Mobility/Smartphones_and_mobile_internet/Google-Pixel.how_to_use_call_forwarding_on_my_google_pixel
      5. ↑ https://support.bell.ca/Mobility/Smartphones_and_mobile_internet/Google-Pixel.how_to_use_call_forwarding_on_my_google_pixel
      6. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00086742/
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/165221?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      8. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/articles/verizon-unlimited-plans/call-forwarding-everything-you-need-to-know/
      9. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/self-service-short-codes
      1. ↑ https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/forward-calls-with-call-forwarding
      2. ↑ https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/home-phone/calling-features/use-selective-call-forwarding-to-send-specific-calls-to-another.html
      3. ↑ https://www.spectrum.net/support/home-phone/handset-calling-features-and-star-codes
      4. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-17268/
      5. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/u-verse-voice/KM1000459/
      6. ↑ https://www.bt.com/help/landline/calling-features-and-security/all-about-call-diversion
      7. ↑ https://www.virginmedia.com/help/landline/set-up-call-diversion#70509735-50b7-4c1a-8b50-d56a73ffd1dd
      8. ↑ https://www.virginmedia.com/help/landline/set-up-call-diversion#70509735-50b7-4c1a-8b50-d56a73ffd1dd
      9. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/call-forwarding-faqs/
      10. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/calling-services

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