Call forwarding lets you send incoming calls to a different phone number
Call forwarding is a phone feature that automatically sends calls meant for your main number to a different number you choose. When someone calls your regular phone number, the call rings on whichever phone you've set up to receive it instead — your mobile, a work line, or any other number. You stay reachable without having to answer on your original phone.
The steps to turn on call forwarding depend on what kind of phone service you have. Landline customers, mobile phone users, and people with internet-based phone services (called VoIP) each use different methods. Most phone companies let you turn it on through your account online, through a phone menu, or directly from your phone's settings.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding sends your incoming calls to a different number you choose, and you control when it's on or off.
- Landline customers typically dial a code like *72 to turn forwarding on, then enter the number where calls should go.
- Mobile phone users usually turn on call forwarding in their phone's settings menu under "Call Settings" or "Phone Settings."
- Your phone company's website or customer service can show you the exact steps for your specific service type.
- You can turn call forwarding off at any time using the same method you used to turn it on.
How to set up call forwarding on a landline
If you have a traditional landline through a company like Verizon, AT&T, or a local provider, you can turn on call forwarding by dialing a code from your phone. The most common code is *72 (dial star-seven-two). Pick up your phone, dial *72, wait for a dial tone, then dial the 10-digit number where you want calls to go. When you hear a confirmation tone or message, hang up. Call forwarding is now on.
To turn off landline call forwarding, dial *73 (star-seven-three) and hang up. Some phone companies use different codes — Vonage uses *72 and *73, while a few regional providers may vary. If *72 doesn't work, call your phone company's customer service line and ask for the call forwarding code they use.
Landline call forwarding stays on until you turn it off. If you set it up and then forget about it, calls will keep going to that number. Some people turn it on temporarily when they're away from home, then dial *73 when they return.
How to set up call forwarding on a mobile phone
On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, then tap Call Forwarding. Turn on the toggle switch, and a field will appear asking for the number where calls should go. Enter the 10-digit number and tap Back. Your iPhone will now forward all incoming calls to that number.
On an Android phone, the path varies by manufacturer and carrier. Usually you go to Settings, find Phone or Call Settings, look for Call Forwarding or Call Divert, and turn it on. Enter the number where you want calls to go. If you can't find it in Settings, try dialing *72 followed by the number, just as you would on a landline — many carriers support this code on mobile phones too.
Mobile call forwarding also stays on until you turn it off. Check your phone's settings periodically to make sure forwarding isn't still active if you only needed it temporarily. Turning it off is the same process: go back to Call Forwarding in Settings and toggle it off.
How to set up call forwarding through your phone company's website
Most phone companies let you manage call forwarding from your online account. Log in to your phone company's website or app, look for a section called Settings, Phone Settings, or Services. You should see an option for Call Forwarding. Click it, enter the number where you want calls to go, and save your changes.
This method is often the clearest because you can see exactly what number is set up and turn forwarding on or off with a single click. You can also usually see a history of when you turned it on and off. If you forget whether you have call forwarding active, logging into your account is the fastest way to check.
Some phone companies charge a small monthly fee for call forwarding, while others include it free with your service. Check your bill or your company's website to see whether the feature costs anything on your plan.
Call forwarding for internet-based phone services
If you use a VoIP service like Vonage, Google Voice, Ooma, or MagicJack, call forwarding works through your account settings. Log into your account on the company's website, find Settings or Phone Settings, and look for Call Forwarding or Call Routing. Enter the number where you want calls sent, save, and it's active.
Google Voice has its own version called Call Screening and Call Forwarding. When you set up a Google Voice number, you choose which phones ring when someone calls that number. You can add multiple numbers and decide which ones ring at the same time or in sequence.
VoIP services often let you set up call forwarding rules — for example, forward calls only during certain hours, or forward to one number on weekdays and a different number on weekends. Check your service's settings to see what options are available.
What happens when call forwarding is on
When call forwarding is active and someone calls your number, their call goes to the forwarded number instead. The person calling doesn't know the call was forwarded — it just rings on the other phone. If the forwarded number is busy or doesn't answer, the call may go to voicemail on that number, not your original number.
If you want calls to still ring on your original phone as well as the forwarded number, you need a different feature called simultaneous ringing or call distribution. This is different from call forwarding. Ask your phone company whether this feature is available on your plan.
While call forwarding is on, you won't receive calls on your original phone number at all — they'll only ring on the forwarded number. Make sure anyone who needs to reach you knows which phone to call, or turn off forwarding when you're back to using your main phone.
Turning off call forwarding and troubleshooting
To turn off call forwarding, use the same method you used to turn it on. On a landline, dial *73. On a mobile phone, go to Settings and toggle Call Forwarding off. Through your phone company's website, log in and disable the feature. Once it's off, calls will ring on your original number again.
If call forwarding isn't working, first check that it's actually turned on — log into your account or check your phone's settings to confirm. If it's on but calls aren't being forwarded, the number you entered may be wrong. Try turning it off and setting it up again, making sure you enter the correct 10-digit number with the right area code.
If you're still having trouble, contact your phone company's customer service. They can check whether call forwarding is active on your account and help you set it up correctly. Have your phone number and the number you want to forward to ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the person calling me know their call is being forwarded?
No. The caller doesn't see or hear anything different. Their call just rings on the forwarded number. They won't know your call was sent somewhere else unless you tell them.
What happens to voicemail when call forwarding is on?
Voicemail depends on which phone answers. If the forwarded number answers, the caller reaches that phone's voicemail if they don't pick up. If no one answers the forwarded number, the call may not reach your original voicemail. Check with your phone company about how voicemail works with your forwarding setup.
Can I forward calls to an international number?
Most phone companies allow international call forwarding, but it may cost extra. International calls are more expensive to route, so your bill could be higher. Contact your phone company to ask whether international forwarding is available and what it costs.
Can I set up call forwarding to multiple numbers at once?
Standard call forwarding sends calls to one number only. If you want calls to ring on multiple phones at the same time, ask your phone company about simultaneous ringing or call distribution. VoIP services like Google Voice often have this built in.
Will I be charged for calls that are forwarded to me?
That depends on your phone plan. If the forwarded number is a mobile phone, incoming forwarded calls usually count as incoming calls on that plan. Landline forwarding typically doesn't add charges. Check your phone company's plan details or call customer service to confirm.