Set call forwarding from your phone settings or with your carrier’s forwarding code, then place a test call before you rely on it. Call forwarding sends incoming calls to another number, such as your office line, mobile phone, voicemail service, or answering team. The FCC describes it as a calling feature that redirects calls to a number you choose [source: FCC].
TLDR: On an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, turn it on, and enter the forwarding number. On many Android phones, open the Phone app, go to Settings, then choose Call forwarding under calling accounts or supplementary services. For example, a solo consultant who misses 8 out of 40 weekly client calls can forward calls to an assistant during meetings and cut missed calls by about 20%. Always test with a second phone, because carrier codes and menus vary.
What Call Forwarding Actually Does
Call forwarding redirects incoming calls from one phone number to another. Your phone may still ring in some setups, but in many cases the call goes straight to the forwarded number. That depends on the forwarding type, carrier, and device settings.
There are two common forms:
- Unconditional forwarding: Every incoming call is sent to another number.
- Conditional forwarding: Calls are forwarded only when your line is busy, unanswered, or unreachable.
Unconditional forwarding is best when you are off duty, traveling, replacing a phone, or routing calls to a front desk. Conditional forwarding is better when you still want a chance to answer first.
How to Forward Calls on an iPhone
For many iPhone users, the built-in menu is the cleanest option. It usually takes less than a minute.
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Tap Call Forwarding.
- Turn Call Forwarding on.
- Tap Forward To.
- Enter the full phone number that should receive your calls.
- Go back one screen and check that the number remains saved.
If the option is missing, your carrier may not support menu-based forwarding on your plan. It may also be hidden if you use certain business, prepaid, or VoIP configurations. Honestly, it feels silly that the same iPhone menu can appear for one SIM and vanish for another, but that is often a carrier issue, not an Apple issue.
To turn forwarding off, return to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and switch it off. Then call your number from another phone to confirm the change.
How to Forward Calls on Android
Android steps differ by brand. Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, and other phones all use slightly different labels. The general path is still similar.
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots or More menu.
- Tap Settings.
- Look for Calling accounts, Calls, or Supplementary services.
- Tap Call forwarding.
- Choose the type of forwarding you want.
- Enter the forwarding number and save it.
Common Android forwarding choices include:
- Always forward: Sends every call to another number.
- When busy: Sends calls when you are already on a call.
- When unanswered: Sends calls after a set number of rings.
- When unreachable: Sends calls when your phone is off, in airplane mode, or out of service.
Expect to waste time on wording. One phone may say Call forwarding. Another may bury it under Supplementary services. If you cannot find it in 60 seconds, use the search bar inside Settings and search for forwarding.
How to Use Carrier Codes
Carrier codes are useful when phone menus are missing or unreliable. You dial a short code, add the destination number, and start forwarding. The exact code depends on your carrier and country.
In many North American landline and mobile services, these codes are common:
- *72 + phone number: Turn on immediate call forwarding.
- *73: Turn off immediate call forwarding.
On many GSM mobile networks, these codes may work:
- 21*phone number# then press call: Forward all calls.
- ##21# then press call: Cancel forwarding for all calls.
- 61*phone number# then press call: Forward unanswered calls.
- ##61# then press call: Cancel unanswered call forwarding.
Use the full destination number, including area code. For international forwarding, include the country code. For example, use +1 for the United States and Canada.
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Business Uses for Call Forwarding
Call forwarding is simple, but it can protect revenue. A missed sales call may become a lost customer. A missed medical, legal, or repair call may create risk. For small teams, forwarding can keep calls moving without buying a new phone system.
Common business setups include:
- After-hours forwarding: Send calls to an answering service after closing.
- Vacation coverage: Route calls to a coworker while someone is away.
- Backup routing: Forward calls when a main phone fails.
- Remote work: Send office calls to a mobile phone.
- Department routing: Send support calls to one line and sales calls to another.
Keep the setup documented. Write down the forwarding number, the activation method, the shutoff method, and the person responsible for changes. This prevents that annoying Friday evening problem where nobody knows why calls are going to the wrong phone.
Costs, Limits, and Privacy Concerns
Call forwarding may not be free. Some carriers treat forwarded calls like outgoing calls from your line. That can create per-minute charges, roaming fees, or international charges. Check your plan before forwarding to a long-distance or overseas number.
There are also privacy issues. If you forward calls to a personal phone, that person may see caller IDs, voicemail details, and customer information. Use a business-approved number when calls involve private records, payments, health details, or legal matters.
Watch for these risks:
- Voicemail confusion: The wrong voicemail box may answer.
- Looping: Two numbers may forward calls to each other by mistake.
- Compliance gaps: Sensitive calls may reach an unapproved device.
- Billing surprises: Forwarded international calls may cost more.
How to Test Call Forwarding
Testing is not optional. Do it every time you change forwarding.
- Turn on call forwarding.
- Use a second phone to call your original number.
- Confirm the forwarded phone rings.
- Let it go unanswered and check which voicemail responds.
- Turn forwarding off.
- Call again and confirm your original phone rings.
If the test fails, restart the phone and try again. If it still fails, remove the forwarding number and re-enter it with the full area code. If you used a carrier code, wait 30 seconds after dialing before testing.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
- No call forwarding option: Contact your carrier or use a carrier code.
- Calls still ring on the old phone: You may have conditional forwarding turned on instead of full forwarding.
- Calls go to the wrong voicemail: Change the forwarding destination or voicemail settings.
- Forwarding turns off by itself: Check carrier restrictions, dual SIM settings, or business phone policies.
- International number will not save: Add the plus sign and country code.
The safest approach is simple: use your phone settings first, use carrier codes if settings are missing, and always place a test call. Call forwarding is reliable when set up carefully. It becomes messy only when people assume it worked without checking.