What call forwarding does and why you'd use it
Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your phone number to a different phone number automatically. When someone calls you, their call rings on the other number instead of your Android phone. You stay in control — you can turn it on or off whenever you need to, and you can choose which calls get forwarded (all of them, or only the ones you miss).
People use call forwarding when they're away from their main phone, working from a different location, or want calls to reach them on a second device. If you're traveling and don't want to carry your phone, or you're at your desk and want calls to ring on your office line, call forwarding handles that without you having to give people a new number.
The feature lives in your phone's settings, not in a separate app. The exact steps depend on which Android phone you have and which carrier you use, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is a phone setting that sends your incoming calls to a different number automatically, and you control it from your Android settings.
- The steps differ slightly between phone brands (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others), but all Android phones have the feature in the Phone or Calling app.
- You need to know the phone number you want calls forwarded to before you start, and that number should be one you can actually answer.
- Most carriers let you turn call forwarding on and off when ready, and you can set different rules for missed calls versus all calls.
Finding call forwarding in your Phone app
Open the Phone app on your Android phone — the one you use to make calls. Look for a menu icon, usually three dots or three horizontal lines in the top right or bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it.
Look for an option labeled Settings, Call Settings, or More Settings. The exact wording changes between phone brands. Once you're in settings, look for Call Forwarding, Forwarding, or Call Forward. On some phones it's nested under Calls or Advanced. If you don't see it in the main menu, scroll down — it's usually near the bottom.
If you can't find it in the Phone app, your carrier may require you to use their own app instead. Check your home screen or app drawer for an app with your carrier's name (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). Open that app and look for Call Settings or Forwarding in the same way.
Turning on call forwarding and choosing where calls go
Once you find Call Forwarding, you'll see options for different types of forwarding. Forward All Calls sends every incoming call to your chosen number. Forward When Busy only forwards calls if you're already on another call. Forward When Unanswered or Forward on No Answer forwards calls only if you don't pick up within a certain number of rings (usually 15 to 30 seconds).
Choose the type that fits what you need. If you want all calls to go somewhere else, pick Forward All Calls. If you only want a backup number for calls you miss, pick Forward When Unanswered. Tap your choice.
You'll be asked to enter the phone number where you want calls forwarded. Type in the full number, including the area code. Double-check it — if you enter the wrong number, calls will ring on someone else's phone. Tap Enable, Turn On, OK, or Save depending on your phone's wording.
Your phone will show a confirmation message. Some phones display a small icon at the top of the screen to remind you that call forwarding is active. You can now hang up and your calls will forward to the number you entered.
Turning call forwarding off when you don't need it
Go back to the Phone app, open settings the same way, and find Call Forwarding again. You'll see the forwarding type you set up is now listed as Active or On. Tap it and select Disable, Turn Off, or Delete. The forwarding stops when ready.
If you set up multiple types of forwarding (for example, Forward All Calls and Forward When Unanswered), you'll see all of them listed. You can turn off just one or all of them. Turn off whichever ones you no longer need.
What happens to voicemail when call forwarding is on
When call forwarding is active, voicemail behavior depends on which type you chose. If you have Forward All Calls turned on, calls never reach your phone, so they go to voicemail on the forwarded number instead of your Android phone's voicemail. If you have Forward When Unanswered on, calls that aren't answered on the forwarded number will go to that number's voicemail, not yours.
This matters if you want to keep using your own voicemail. If that's important to you, use Forward When Unanswered with a short ring time (like 5 seconds) so calls reach your Android phone quickly and go to your voicemail if you don't answer. Or turn off call forwarding when you're back to your phone so calls ring there instead.
Troubleshooting when call forwarding won't turn on
If you tap Enable and nothing happens, or you get an error message, check that you entered the phone number correctly — no spaces, no dashes, just the digits and the area code. Try again with the number formatted as a plain string of numbers.
Some carriers require you to contact them to set up call forwarding, especially if you're on a prepaid plan or a very old account. If the Phone app settings don't work, call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and ask them to enable call forwarding for you. They can do it over the phone in a few minutes.
If call forwarding was working but suddenly stopped, check that it's still enabled in your settings — sometimes a phone update or a restart can turn it off. If it's on but calls aren't forwarding, restart your phone and try again. If the problem continues, contact your carrier.
Using call forwarding while traveling or at work
Call forwarding is useful when you're in a different time zone or country and don't want to carry your phone. Set it to forward to a number where you'll actually be — your hotel, your office, or another device. Remember that the person calling you will be charged for a call to that number if it's long distance, so let people know if you're forwarding to an international number.
If you're forwarding to another country, check with your carrier first — some charge extra for international call forwarding, or it may not work on certain networks. Test it with a friend before you rely on it for important calls.
When you're back to your normal routine, turn off call forwarding so calls ring on your Android phone again. It's straightforward to forget you have it on, so check your settings if you notice calls aren't reaching you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?
Most Android phones and carriers only let you forward to one number per forwarding type. You can set up Forward All Calls to one number and Forward When Unanswered to a different number, but you can't split a single call to ring on two phones simultaneously. If you need that, look into conference calling or a business phone system instead.
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 Android phone is powered off, calls will still forward to the number you set. This is why it's useful when you're traveling without your phone.
Will I be charged for forwarded calls?
You won't be charged extra for turning on call forwarding itself. However, if you forward to a long-distance or international number, your carrier may charge you for those calls the same way they would if you made them yourself. Check your plan or contact your carrier if you're unsure.
What's the difference between call forwarding and call waiting?
Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different number automatically. Call waiting lets you know when a second call is coming in while you're already on a call, so you can answer it on your current phone. They're separate features and work differently.
Can I set up call forwarding if I don't have a plan with unlimited calls?
Call forwarding itself doesn't use your plan minutes — it's a network feature. However, the calls that ring on the forwarded number will use minutes on that line if it has a limited plan. Check the plan on the number you're forwarding to before you set it up.