Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different phone number automatically

Call forwarding on Verizon lets you redirect calls from your phone to another number — a landline, another mobile phone, or even a work extension. When someone calls your Verizon number, the call rings on whichever phone you've set up instead. You stay in control: you can turn it on and off whenever you need, and you only pay for the call once it reaches the forwarding number.

Verizon offers several forwarding options. The most common is unconditional forwarding, which sends every call to your chosen number. You can also set up conditional forwarding — for example, forward calls only when your phone is busy, when you don't answer, or when you're out of range. This guide covers how to set up each type using your phone or Verizon's website.

Key Takeaways

  • Unconditional call forwarding sends all incoming calls to another number immediately, and you turn it on and off with a code or through your Verizon account.
  • Conditional forwarding (busy, no answer, or unreachable) only activates when your phone meets those specific conditions, so you don't miss calls when your phone is available.
  • You can set up forwarding directly from your phone using star codes, or log into your Verizon account online to manage it from any device.
  • Forwarding to international numbers is possible but may incur long-distance charges depending on your plan.
  • You can have multiple forwarding rules active at once — for example, forward unanswered calls to voicemail and busy calls to a colleague.

Set up unconditional forwarding from your phone

The fastest way to turn on unconditional forwarding is to use a code directly from your phone's keypad. Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, and enter *72 followed by the 10-digit number where you want calls sent. Press the call button. You'll hear a confirmation tone or see a message saying forwarding is active. To turn it off, dial #72 and press call.

This method works on any Verizon phone — Android, iPhone, or older devices — and takes effect immediately. The number you forward to can be a cell phone, landline, or any number you can dial. If you enter the code wrong, hang up and try again; Verizon won't process it until you complete the full sequence and press call.

Set up conditional forwarding from your phone

Conditional forwarding uses different codes depending on which condition you want to trigger it. These codes work the same way as unconditional forwarding: dial the code, enter the destination number, and press call.

Forward when busy: Dial *67 followed by the number. This sends calls to your chosen number only when your phone line is already in use. Turn it off with #67.

Forward when you don't answer: Dial *61 followed by the number. You can also set how many seconds the phone rings before forwarding kicks in — usually 15 to 30 seconds. To change the ring time, dial *61*[number]*[seconds] (for example, *61*5551234567*20 forwards after 20 seconds). Turn it off with #61.

Forward when unreachable: Dial *62 followed by the number. This activates when your phone is off, out of range, or in airplane mode. Turn it off with #62.

Manage call forwarding through your Verizon account online

If you prefer not to use codes, or if you want to see all your forwarding settings in one place, log into your Verizon account at verizon.com. Sign in with your username and password, then look for the "Manage My Mobile" or "My Verizon" section (the exact name varies slightly by account type).

Find the phone line you want to set up forwarding for and look for "Call Forwarding" or "Call Management" in the settings menu. Click it, then choose which type of forwarding you want (unconditional, busy, no answer, or unreachable). Enter the destination number and save your changes. The setting takes effect within a few minutes.

The online method is helpful if you're setting up multiple forwarding rules at once or if you want to keep a record of which numbers you've set up. You can also see whether forwarding is currently active and turn it off from the same screen without having to remember the codes.

Forward calls to voicemail or a specific extension

You can forward calls to your own Verizon voicemail by using the code *71 followed by your voicemail number (usually your own phone number). This is useful if you want calls to go to voicemail instead of ringing your phone at all.

If you want to forward to a work extension or internal number, enter the full number including any access codes needed to reach that extension. For example, if your work number is 555-123-4567 and your extension is 890, you might enter *72*5551234567,890 (the comma adds a pause before dialing the extension). Test the forwarding by having someone call your Verizon number to make sure the extension rings correctly.

Forward calls to international numbers

Verizon allows you to forward calls to numbers outside the United States, but charges may apply. When you forward to an international number, you're essentially making an outbound international call each time someone calls you. If your plan doesn't include international calling, you'll be charged per minute for each forwarded call.

To forward internationally, use the same codes as domestic forwarding but include the country code and number. For example, to forward to a number in Canada, dial *72*1[number]. To forward to the United Kingdom, dial *72*44[number]. Before setting this up, check your Verizon plan to see whether international calling is included or what the per-minute rate is.

Turn off call forwarding and troubleshoot common issues

To turn off any active forwarding, use the corresponding off code: #72 for unconditional, #61 for no answer, #67 for busy, or #62 for unreachable. You can also turn off all forwarding at once by dialing #790 and pressing call. This clears every forwarding rule you've set up.

If forwarding isn't working, first check that you entered the code correctly and heard a confirmation tone. If the tone didn't play, the code didn't go through — try again. If forwarding is on but calls aren't reaching the destination number, make sure the number you entered is correct and that it's a number you can normally dial from your phone. Test by calling that number directly to confirm it works.

If calls are forwarding but the destination phone isn't ringing, the problem is usually with that phone's settings, not Verizon's forwarding. Check that the destination phone isn't in do-not-disturb mode, has enough signal, or isn't blocking unknown numbers. If you're forwarding to a work extension, confirm with your IT department that the extension can receive external calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get charged for forwarded calls?

You're charged once per call, not twice. When someone calls your Verizon number and it forwards to another number, you pay for the call as if you'd made it to that destination. If you forward to a local number, you pay local rates. If you forward internationally, international rates apply. Forwarding itself has no separate fee.

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?

No, Verizon's standard call forwarding sends calls to one number at a time. However, you can set up multiple conditional rules — for example, forward unanswered calls to one number and busy calls to another. The rules work together, so if your phone is busy, the busy rule activates; if you don't answer, the no-answer rule activates instead.

What happens to my voicemail when call forwarding is on?

If you have unconditional forwarding on, calls go to the forwarding number and never reach your voicemail. If you have conditional forwarding (no answer, busy, or unreachable), your voicemail still works as normal — the forwarding rule activates before voicemail does. You can also forward directly to voicemail using the code *71.

Can I set up call forwarding on a prepaid Verizon plan?

Yes, call forwarding is available on most Verizon plans, including prepaid. Use the same codes as postpaid customers. If the codes don't work, contact Verizon to confirm that call forwarding is enabled on your specific plan.

How do I know if call forwarding is currently active?

On most phones, you'll see a forwarding icon in the status bar at the top of the screen when forwarding is on. You can also check your Verizon account online under Call Management settings, which shows which forwarding rules are active and where calls are being sent.