The basics of call forwarding
Call forwarding lets you send incoming calls from your phone number to a different phone number — either temporarily or permanently. When someone calls your original number, the call rings on the forwarded number instead. You answer on whichever phone has the call, and the caller doesn't know the difference.
How you set this up depends on what kind of phone service you have. Landline, mobile, and VoIP services each have their own method. Most services let you turn call forwarding on and off whenever you want, and some let you choose which calls to forward — for example, forwarding only when you don't answer after a few rings.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile phones typically use a code like *72 to turn on call forwarding, while landlines and VoIP services usually have settings in an online account or a physical box.
- Call forwarding works only if your service provider supports it — check your plan or contact them to confirm the feature is included.
- You can usually set up conditional forwarding to send calls only when you don't answer, are on another call, or are outside a certain area.
- The person calling you will not see the forwarded number; they see only your original number on their end.
- Forwarding to an international number may cost extra or not work at all, depending on your service plan.
Call forwarding on mobile phones
Most mobile carriers — including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others — support call forwarding through a simple code you dial from your phone. The most common code is *72 followed by the 10-digit number you want to forward to, then press the call button. You'll hear a confirmation tone or message. To turn it off, dial *73.
Some carriers use different codes or have slightly different steps. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service line to confirm the exact code for your plan. If you have an iPhone or Android phone, you may also find call forwarding in your phone's settings — look under Phone settings or Call settings, though this method doesn't work on all carriers or plans.
Conditional call forwarding — sending calls to another number only when you don't answer or are busy — uses different codes. *61 sets up "no answer" forwarding (calls go to the other number if you don't pick up after a set number of rings), and *67 sets up "busy" forwarding (calls go to the other number only when you're on another call). These codes vary by carrier, so confirm before you use them.
Call forwarding on landlines
Landline call forwarding is usually managed through your phone company's online account or through a physical device called a gateway or modem. Log into your account on your provider's website — Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, or your local phone company — and look for a "Call Forwarding" or "Call Management" section. You'll enter the number you want to forward to and save the setting.
If your provider doesn't have an online portal, you can call their customer service line and ask them to set it up for you. Some older landline systems require you to dial a code from the phone itself, similar to mobile phones, but this is less common now. Check your bill or your provider's website to see which method applies to your account.
Landline providers often charge a small monthly fee for call forwarding — sometimes $3 to $5 — though some plans include it at no extra cost. Ask your provider whether the feature is included in your plan or what the cost is before you turn it on.
Call forwarding with VoIP services
VoIP services like Google Voice, Ooma, Vonage, and others handle call forwarding through their online dashboard or app. Log into your account, find the settings or preferences section, and look for "Call Forwarding" or "Call Routing." You'll enter the phone number you want calls sent to and save the change. Most VoIP services let you set up multiple forwarding numbers and choose which one to use at any time.
Google Voice, which is free, lets you forward calls to up to five different numbers and choose which ones ring when someone calls your Google Voice number. You can also set up rules so that calls from certain contacts go to certain numbers, or so that calls forward only during certain hours. Paid VoIP services like Vonage and Ooma typically include call forwarding as part of the service at no extra charge.
One advantage of VoIP is that you can manage call forwarding from anywhere — you don't need to be near the phone or use a specific device. You can turn forwarding on and off from your phone, computer, or tablet.
What happens when you forward calls
When call forwarding is active and someone calls your number, their call connects to the forwarded number instead. From the caller's perspective, nothing changes — they see your original number on their screen and hear your voicemail greeting if you don't answer. The call simply rings on the other phone.
If the forwarded number is busy or doesn't answer, the call usually goes to voicemail on your original number, not on the forwarded number. This means you won't miss calls, but you may get voicemail messages from people trying to reach you. Some services let you change this behavior — for example, sending unanswered calls to a different voicemail box — but you'll need to check your provider's options.
If you forward to an international number, the call may not go through at all, or your provider may charge you an international calling rate for each forwarded call. Check with your provider before forwarding to a number outside the United States.
Temporary vs. permanent forwarding
You can turn call forwarding on and off as often as you want. If you're traveling, at work, or in a situation where you need calls to ring on a different phone for a few hours or days, turn it on. When you're back to your normal routine, turn it off. There's no penalty for switching it on and off frequently.
For longer-term forwarding — if you're changing jobs, moving, or switching to a new phone — you can leave it on indefinitely. Just remember that it's active; some people set up forwarding and forget about it, then wonder why calls aren't ringing on their original phone.
If you're planning to stop using your original number entirely, forwarding is a temporary solution. A better long-term option is to port your number to a new provider or service, which transfers the number itself rather than just forwarding calls. This is more complex but gives you a fresh start without maintaining two numbers.
Troubleshooting common forwarding problems
If you set up call forwarding and calls still ring on your original phone, the feature may not be active. Try the activation code again, or log into your account to confirm the setting was saved. Some services require you to press a confirmation button or wait for a message before the forwarding takes effect.
If calls go to voicemail instead of the forwarded number, the forwarded number may be unreachable — check that you entered it correctly, including the area code. If the number is correct, try calling it from another phone to make sure it's working. Some carriers also have a delay of a few minutes between when you set up forwarding and when it actually starts working.
If you're forwarding to an international number and calls don't go through, your provider may not support international forwarding, or you may need to add international calling to your plan first. Call your provider's customer service to ask whether international forwarding is possible on your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person calling me know I'm forwarding their call?
No. The caller sees only your original number on their screen. They won't know the call is being forwarded to a different phone unless you tell them. The call simply rings on the forwarded number instead of your original phone.
Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?
Most mobile carriers and landline providers forward to only one number at a time. However, VoIP services like Google Voice let you forward to multiple numbers simultaneously — all of them ring when someone calls you. You can also set up conditional forwarding so that different numbers ring depending on whether you're busy or don't answer.
Does call forwarding work if my phone is turned off?
Yes. Call forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on your phone itself. Even if your phone is off, calls will still forward to the other number. This is why forwarding is useful when you're traveling or switching phones.
What if I forward to a number and then that person doesn't answer?
The call usually goes to voicemail on your original number, not on the forwarded number. This means you'll get a voicemail message from the caller. Some services let you change this, but you'll need to check your provider's options or contact them for help.
Can I forward calls only during certain times of day?
Mobile carriers and basic landline forwarding don't offer time-based rules. However, VoIP services like Google Voice and some business phone systems do let you set up schedules — for example, forwarding calls to your work number during business hours and to your personal phone after hours. Check your provider's features to see what's available on your plan.