The simplest way to forward calls depends on your phone type and service provider
Call forwarding lets you send incoming calls from one phone number to a different phone — either temporarily while you're away or permanently. The method you use depends on whether you have a landline or mobile phone, and which carrier you use. Most carriers offer call forwarding as a built-in feature you can turn on through your phone's settings or by dialing a code. Some services charge a small monthly fee; others include it free.
The fastest route is usually your phone's built-in settings if you have a smartphone, or a quick call to your carrier's customer service line if you have a landline. You'll need the phone number where you want calls sent, and you should test it with a call from someone else before relying on it.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile phones typically have call forwarding built into settings under "Phone" or "Call Settings," and you can turn it on or off anytime without calling your carrier.
- Landline call forwarding usually requires calling your phone company or logging into your online account, and some carriers charge a monthly fee while others include it free.
- You can forward all calls, only unanswered calls after a set number of rings, or only calls when your phone is busy — the option you choose depends on your carrier and phone type.
- Test call forwarding by having someone call your original number and confirm the call reaches the forwarded phone before you depend on it.
- If you want to forward calls but keep your original number private, ask your carrier whether they offer a forwarding service that masks your number on the receiving end.
How to set up call forwarding on a smartphone
On an iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Settings, then tap Call Forwarding. Toggle it on and enter the phone number where you want calls sent. The phone will dial that number to confirm it works, then save the setting. You can turn it off the same way anytime.
On an Android phone, the steps vary by manufacturer and carrier, but the general path is Settings > Phone > Call Settings > Call Forwarding. Enter the number and confirm. Some Android phones also let you set up conditional forwarding — for example, forwarding only calls that go unanswered after four rings, or only when your phone is busy. Check your phone's help menu if you don't see these options, as they depend on your specific model and carrier.
Smartphone call forwarding works over your carrier's network, not through an app or internet connection. This means it works even if your phone is off, as long as your carrier's system is running. There is no charge for this feature on most carriers, though a few include it only in premium plans — check your carrier's website or call customer service to confirm.
How to set up call forwarding on a landline
Landline call forwarding is usually managed through your phone company's website or by calling their customer service line. Log into your account on your carrier's website and look for "Call Forwarding" or "Call Management" in the settings menu. Enter the phone number where you want calls sent, choose whether you want all calls forwarded or only unanswered ones, and save. If you can't find it online, call your carrier — they can set it up in a few minutes.
Some landline carriers charge a monthly fee for call forwarding, typically between $3 and $5, while others include it free with your service. A few carriers let you activate it temporarily without a charge. Ask your carrier what the cost is before you turn it on, or check your service agreement to see if it's already included.
Landline forwarding also works when your phone is off or unplugged, since the carrier's system handles the routing. You can usually set it to forward all calls or only calls that don't get answered within a certain number of rings — useful if you want some calls to ring at home while others go to your mobile.
Conditional call forwarding: forward only some calls
Most carriers let you set up conditional forwarding, which sends calls to a different number only under certain conditions. The most common options are: forward only unanswered calls (after a set number of rings), forward only when your phone is busy, or forward only when you don't answer. This is useful if you want to keep your original phone ringing at home but also make sure calls don't go to voicemail when you're away.
On a smartphone, conditional forwarding is usually in the same Call Forwarding menu. On a landline, ask your carrier which conditions they support — not all of them offer every option. You typically set the number of rings before a call is considered unanswered (usually 4 to 20 rings), and the carrier's system will forward it if that condition is met.
If you set up conditional forwarding and then change your mind, you can turn it off the same way you turned it on. The original phone number will stop forwarding calls immediately.
Testing your call forwarding before you rely on it
Before you depend on call forwarding, test it by having someone call your original phone number from a different phone. Listen to hear whether the call rings on the forwarded phone, and confirm that you can answer it there. If the call doesn't go through, check that you entered the forwarded number correctly — a single wrong digit will break the whole system.
If the call doesn't reach the forwarded phone after you've confirmed the number is correct, call your carrier's customer service line. They can check whether call forwarding is actually turned on in their system, and whether there's a technical issue preventing the calls from going through. This usually takes a few minutes to troubleshoot.
Test both incoming calls and outgoing calls from the forwarded phone to make sure everything works both directions. Some people also test by calling their own number to hear what the caller hears — whether it rings normally or shows any sign that the call is being forwarded.
Call forwarding when you're traveling or temporarily away
If you're traveling and want calls to reach you on a different phone, turn on call forwarding before you leave. Make sure the forwarded number is a phone you'll have with you — typically your mobile phone if you're traveling within the country, or an international number if you're going abroad. Keep in mind that if you forward to an international number, the person calling you pays for a long-distance call, and you may also be charged for receiving an international call depending on your plan.
When you return home or no longer need forwarding, turn it off through the same menu where you turned it on. If you forget to turn it off, calls will keep forwarding until you manually disable it. Some carriers let you set an expiration date for call forwarding, so it automatically turns off on a specific date — useful if you know exactly when you'll be back.
Forwarding calls while keeping your number private
When you forward a call, the person receiving it on the forwarded phone usually sees your original phone number on their caller ID. If you want to hide your number from the person answering on the forwarded phone, ask your carrier whether they offer a forwarding service that masks the number. Not all carriers support this, and some charge an extra fee.
Alternatively, you can use a separate phone number or a virtual phone service (like Google Voice or a similar service) as the forwarded destination. The person answering would see that number instead of your original one. This adds a step — they'd have to know to call that number to reach you — but it keeps your original number private.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will call forwarding work if my phone is turned off?
Yes, if you have a landline or if you're using your carrier's call forwarding feature on a mobile phone. The forwarding happens at your carrier's system, not on your phone itself, so it works whether your phone is on, off, or out of range. If you're using an app-based forwarding service, it may not work when your phone is off.
Can I forward calls to multiple phones at the same time?
Most carriers' built-in call forwarding sends calls to one number only. If you want calls to ring on multiple phones simultaneously, you'll need a separate service like Google Voice or a business phone system. These services can ring several phones at once until someone answers.
Does call forwarding cost money?
Most mobile carriers include call forwarding free with your service. Some landline carriers charge $3 to $5 per month, while others include it free. Check your carrier's website or call customer service to find out whether it's included in your plan.
What happens to voicemail when I have call forwarding on?
If the forwarded phone doesn't answer, the call goes to that phone's voicemail, not your original phone's voicemail. If you want callers to reach your original voicemail instead, use conditional forwarding set to forward only unanswered calls after a high number of rings, giving your original voicemail time to pick up.
Can I forward calls from my work phone to my personal phone?
Yes, if your work phone is a standard mobile or landline with call forwarding available. However, check with your employer or IT department first — some companies restrict call forwarding for security reasons, or require you to use their phone system's forwarding feature instead of the carrier's built-in feature.