Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different phone number automatically

Call forwarding is a feature built into most phone services that redirects calls meant for one number to ring on a different phone instead. When someone calls your main number, the call goes to whichever phone you've set up to receive it — whether that's a second mobile phone, a landline, or even a completely different carrier's phone. The person calling doesn't know the call has been forwarded; they just reach you on the new number.

How you turn this on depends on what kind of phone service you have. Mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer call forwarding, as do most landline providers. Some phones let you set it up directly in the Settings app, while others require you to dial a code or log into an online account. The steps are different enough between carriers and phone types that you'll need to follow the specific path for your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding works on most mobile carriers and landline providers, but the setup method varies by carrier and phone type.
  • You can forward calls to any phone number, including another mobile phone, a landline, or a work phone.
  • Most carriers let you turn call forwarding on and off through Settings, a phone code, or an online account portal.
  • When call forwarding is active, the person calling your original number won't know their call has been redirected.
  • Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for call forwarding, though many include it free with standard plans.

Set up call forwarding on an iPhone

On an iPhone, call forwarding lives in the Phone settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding. Toggle it on, and you'll see a field asking for the number where you want calls to go. Type in the phone number and tap Enable. That's the full setup — calls to your iPhone number will now ring on the number you entered instead.

If you don't see Call Forwarding in the Phone settings, your carrier may not support it through the app, or you may need to contact them to turn the feature on first. Some carriers require you to activate call forwarding through their website or by calling customer service before you can use it in Settings. Check your carrier's website or call their support line to confirm the feature is turned on for your account.

To turn call forwarding off, go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off. Your iPhone will then ring normally again when someone calls.

Set up call forwarding on an Android phone

Android phones vary more than iPhones because different manufacturers and carriers build their own versions of Android. The most common path is to open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then look for Call Forwarding or Call Settings. From there, select Voice Call Forwarding, choose the type of forwarding you want (usually "Always Forward"), and enter the number where calls should go.

If you can't find Call Forwarding in your Phone app settings, try dialing *21* followed by the phone number you want to forward to, then press the call button. For example, dial *21*5551234567# and press call. This code works on most carriers and will activate call forwarding without needing to navigate menus. To turn it off, dial #21# and press call.

Some Android phones and carriers don't support in-app call forwarding at all. If the code method doesn't work either, contact your carrier's customer service — they can turn it on for your account, and then you may be able to manage it through their website or app.

Use carrier codes to forward calls from any phone

Most carriers support call forwarding through phone codes that work on any phone, including older models and phones that don't have a dedicated settings menu. These codes are short sequences you dial like a regular phone number, and they activate or deactivate call forwarding instantly.

The standard code to turn on call forwarding is *21* followed by the phone number, then #. For example, to forward calls to 555-123-4567, you would dial *21*5551234567# and press call. To turn off call forwarding, dial #21# and press call. These codes work on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most other carriers.

Some carriers offer variations: *67 blocks your caller ID on outgoing calls (not forwarding), and *72 activates call forwarding on some older systems. If the standard *21# code doesn't work, contact your carrier to ask which code they use, or check your carrier's website for the correct sequence.

Forward calls through your carrier's website or app

Most major carriers let you manage call forwarding through their online account portal or mobile app. Log into your carrier's website or open their app, find the phone settings or line management section, and look for Call Forwarding or Call Settings. You'll usually see a toggle to turn it on and a field to enter the forwarding number. Save your changes, and the forwarding takes effect within a few minutes.

This method is useful if you're having trouble with phone-based setup or if you want to change your forwarding number without touching your phone. It's also the best option if you're setting up forwarding for someone else's line — you can do it from your computer without needing access to their phone.

If you can't find the call forwarding option in your carrier's app, check their website directly. Some carriers bury the feature in a "Manage Services" or "Phone Features" section rather than in the main settings menu. Your carrier's customer service can also walk you through the steps if you get stuck.

Know what happens when call forwarding is active

When call forwarding is turned on, incoming calls to your original number will ring on the forwarding number instead. The person calling won't see any indication that the call has been forwarded — it will look and feel like a normal incoming call on the new number. Your original phone won't ring at all while forwarding is active.

If the forwarding number is busy or doesn't answer, the call may go to voicemail on the forwarding number, not your original voicemail. Some carriers offer options to send unanswered calls back to your original voicemail, but this varies. Check your carrier's documentation or ask customer service if you want calls to go to a specific voicemail when the forwarding number doesn't pick up.

Call forwarding uses your phone's data or minutes depending on your plan, but the cost is usually minimal. Most carriers include call forwarding free with standard plans, though a few older or basic plans may charge a small monthly fee. Check your carrier's pricing page or contact them to confirm whether call forwarding is included in your plan.

Troubleshoot call forwarding that isn't working

If you've turned on call forwarding but calls still ring on your original phone, first check that the feature is actually enabled. Go back to your settings or dial #21# to confirm the status. Some phones show a small icon or indicator when call forwarding is active — look for a phone with an arrow or a similar symbol in your status bar.

If the setting shows as on but calls still aren't forwarding, the forwarding number may be incorrect. Go back and double-check that you entered it with the correct area code and no extra spaces or dashes. Try turning call forwarding off and back on again to refresh the setting. If that doesn't work, restart your phone and try again.

If you've restarted and re-entered the number and calls still aren't forwarding, contact your carrier's customer service. The feature may not be turned on for your account, or there may be a technical issue on their end. Have your phone number and the forwarding number ready when you call, and ask them to confirm that call forwarding is active and correctly configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward calls to an international number?

Most carriers allow forwarding to international numbers, but you may be charged international calling rates for each forwarded call. Contact your carrier before setting up international forwarding to understand the cost. Some carriers offer international calling plans that cover forwarded calls at a reduced rate.

What if I want to forward calls only during certain hours?

Standard call forwarding is always on or always off. If you need conditional forwarding — for example, forwarding only after business hours — you'll need a more advanced feature like "Selective Call Forwarding" or a third-party app. Some carriers offer this as an add-on service. Check your carrier's website or ask customer service what options are available.

Will the person calling know their call has been forwarded?

No. The caller will see your original phone number on their end and won't know the call has been redirected. They'll just see an incoming call from your number, and it will ring on whatever phone you've set up to receive it.

Can I forward calls to multiple phones at the same time?

Standard call forwarding sends calls to one number only. If you want calls to ring on multiple phones simultaneously, you'll need a service like Google Voice or a business phone system. These services can ring several phones at once until someone answers.

What happens to my voicemail when call forwarding is on?

Voicemail behavior depends on your carrier and settings. If the forwarding number doesn't answer, the call may go to that phone's voicemail instead of your original voicemail. Some carriers let you choose where unanswered calls go. Contact your carrier if you want to keep using your original voicemail while forwarding calls.