What call forwarding does and how to turn it on

Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your phone number to a different phone number you choose. When someone calls you, their call rings on the forwarded number instead of your original phone. You can forward to a mobile phone, a landline, a work number, or any other phone line you have access to.

The steps to turn it on depend on what kind of phone service you have. Landline customers typically dial a code into their phone. Mobile customers usually open their phone's settings menu. Some services let you manage forwarding through a web portal or app instead.

Call forwarding stays active until you turn it off manually. While it is on, calls still ring your original number's voicemail if the forwarded number does not answer. You can turn forwarding off anytime by dialing a code, opening settings, or logging into your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Landline call forwarding usually requires dialing *72 followed by the number you want to forward to, then pressing the call button to activate.
  • Mobile phones forward calls through the Settings app on iPhone or the Phone app settings on Android, under a Call Forwarding or Call Settings menu.
  • To turn off forwarding, landline users dial *73, and mobile users return to the same settings menu and toggle forwarding off.
  • Calls forwarded to a busy or unanswered line will ring your voicemail after a few seconds, so the caller can still leave a message.

Call forwarding on a landline

If you have a traditional landline through a phone company like Verizon, AT&T, or a local provider, you can activate call forwarding by dialing a code from any phone connected to that line.

Pick up the phone and dial *72, then immediately dial the phone number where you want calls to ring. Press the call button or wait for a tone. You will hear a confirmation message or tone indicating forwarding is now active. The code works the same way whether you are calling from your home phone, a cell phone, or anywhere else.

To turn off forwarding, dial *73 from any phone on that line and press call. You will hear a confirmation that forwarding has stopped. Some older phone systems use different codes — if *72 does not work, contact your phone company to ask what code your system uses.

Call forwarding on iPhone

iPhone call forwarding is found in the Phone app settings, not in the main Settings app. Open the Phone app, tap the three dots or lines in the bottom right corner, then tap Settings.

Look for Call Forwarding or Forwarding in the menu. Tap it to turn it on, then enter the phone number where you want calls to ring. The phone will ask you to confirm the number. Once confirmed, call forwarding is active — you will see a small arrow icon in the status bar at the top of your screen.

To turn it off, return to Phone app Settings, find Call Forwarding, and tap the toggle to turn it off. The arrow icon will disappear from your status bar.

Call forwarding on Android

Android phones store call forwarding in the Phone app, but the exact location varies by manufacturer and carrier. Open the Phone app and look for a menu icon (three dots or lines), then tap Settings or Call Settings.

Scroll down to find Call Forwarding, Forwarding Settings, or Additional Settings. Tap it and select the type of forwarding you want — usually Always Forward if you want all calls sent to another number. Enter the phone number and confirm. Some Android phones show a notification or icon when forwarding is active.

If you cannot find the option in the Phone app, check your carrier's settings. Some carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile have their own apps where you can manage call forwarding. You can also contact your carrier to ask where the setting is located on your specific phone model.

Call forwarding through your carrier's website or app

Many carriers let you manage call forwarding from a web portal or mobile app without touching your phone's settings. Log into your carrier's account on their website or open their official app.

Look for a section called Phone Settings, Call Management, or My Phone. Find the Call Forwarding option and enter the number you want to forward to. Save your changes. Forwarding will activate within a few minutes. You can turn it off the same way by returning to the same menu and disabling it.

This method is useful if you want to forward calls without changing your phone's settings, or if you are forwarding a business line or a number you do not have physical access to. It also gives you a record of when you activated and deactivated forwarding.

What happens when a call is forwarded

When someone calls your number, the call rings on the forwarded number instead of your original phone. The caller does not know the call has been forwarded — they see your original number on their screen.

If the forwarded number is busy or does not answer after a few rings, the call will roll over to your voicemail on the original number. The caller can leave a message, and you will receive a voicemail notification as usual. Some carriers let you choose how many seconds the forwarded line rings before sending the call to voicemail.

While forwarding is active, your original phone will not ring at all. If you want calls to ring both your original phone and the forwarded number, you need a different feature called simultaneous ring or ring both, which is available through some carriers but not all.

Turning off call forwarding

Call forwarding stays on until you manually turn it off. There is no automatic time limit or expiration.

For landlines, dial *73 from any phone on that line. For iPhones, open the Phone app, go to Settings, find Call Forwarding, and toggle it off. For Android, open the Phone app or your carrier's app, find Call Forwarding settings, and turn it off.

If you forget you have forwarding on and your calls are going to the wrong place, check your phone's settings or call your carrier. They can confirm whether forwarding is active and turn it off for you over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?

Standard call forwarding sends calls to one number only. If you want calls to ring multiple phones at the same time, you need simultaneous ring or ring both, which some carriers offer as a separate feature. Check with your carrier to see if this option is available on your account.

Will the person calling me know their call is being forwarded?

No. The caller will see your original phone number on their screen and will not know the call is ringing somewhere else. From their perspective, they are calling you normally.

What if I forward calls but then turn my original phone off?

Calls will still ring on the forwarded number. Your original phone does not need to be on for forwarding to work. If the forwarded number does not answer, the call will go to your voicemail on the original number after a few seconds.

Can I set up call forwarding only during certain hours?

Basic call forwarding does not have scheduling built in — it forwards all calls all the time. Some carriers offer conditional forwarding that sends calls to different numbers based on whether your phone is busy or unanswered, but time-based forwarding is less common. Contact your carrier to ask if they offer this feature.

Do I get charged extra for using call forwarding?

Most carriers include call forwarding at no extra cost. However, you may be charged for the calls themselves if you are forwarding to a long-distance or international number. Check your carrier's pricing to see if forwarded calls count against your plan or incur additional charges.