What call forwarding does and why you'd use it
Call forwarding is a feature that sends incoming calls from one phone number to a different phone number you choose. When someone calls your main number, their call rings on the other phone instead — or in addition to — your original phone. You stay reachable without being physically near the phone that normally receives your calls.
People use call forwarding for practical reasons: a business owner might forward their office line to their cell phone while traveling. A parent might forward the home phone to their mobile during work hours. Someone might forward calls from an old number to a new one while contacts are still catching up. The call still comes in under your original number — the caller sees no difference — but you answer from wherever you've sent it.
Call forwarding is different from call transfer, which moves an active call to someone else mid-conversation. Forwarding happens before you answer, automatically routing new incoming calls.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding sends incoming calls to a different phone number you set up in your phone's settings or through your carrier.
- Most phones let you turn forwarding on and off from the phone itself, usually through a menu in the phone app or settings.
- When forwarding is active, calls to your original number ring on the forwarded-to phone, and the caller still sees your original number.
- Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for call forwarding, while others include it free; check with your provider to know what applies to your account.
- If forwarding isn't working, the most common causes are that it's turned off, the forwarded number is wrong, or your carrier hasn't activated the feature.
How to set up call forwarding on an iPhone
On an iPhone, call forwarding lives in the Phone app settings, not in the main Settings app. Open the Phone app, tap the keypad icon at the bottom, then look for a small menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner. Tap it and select "Call Forwarding."
Toggle the switch to turn call forwarding on. A field will appear asking for the phone number where you want calls sent. Type in the complete number, including the area code. Tap "Enable" or "Done" depending on your iOS version. Your iPhone will confirm that forwarding is now active. To turn it off later, return to the same menu and toggle the switch off.
If you don't see a Call Forwarding option in the Phone app menu, your carrier may not support it, or you may need to contact them to set up the feature on your account first. Some carriers require a separate request before the option appears on your phone.
How to set up call forwarding on an Android phone
Android phones vary by manufacturer, but most follow a similar path. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon, and look for "Settings." Inside Settings, find "Call Forwarding" or "Call Settings." The exact name depends on your phone model and carrier.
Tap "Call Forwarding" and you'll usually see options like "Always Forward," "Forward When Busy," or "Forward When Unanswered." Select "Always Forward" if you want all calls sent to the other number when ready. Enter the phone number where calls should go, then confirm. Some phones ask you to tap "Enable" or "set up" to finish.
If you can't find Call Forwarding in your Phone app settings, try opening your carrier's own app — many carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have their own apps where you can manage call forwarding. You can also contact your carrier directly to confirm the feature is turned on for your account.
Using carrier-based call forwarding codes
If your phone's built-in call forwarding isn't working or you prefer a faster method, most carriers let you set up forwarding using codes you dial directly. These are short sequences of numbers and symbols that trigger forwarding without opening any menus.
The standard code to turn on call forwarding is *72 followed by the phone number you want calls sent to, then the # key. For example, you would dial *72-555-123-4567# and press call. Your phone will confirm that forwarding is active. To turn it off, dial *73# and press call. To forward only calls that go unanswered, use *61# instead of *72#.
These codes work on most carriers, but some regional carriers or older phone systems may use different codes. If the standard codes don't work, contact your carrier to ask what codes they support. Carrier codes are useful when you're away from home and need to set up forwarding quickly on a borrowed phone or when the phone's menu system isn't responding.
What happens when call forwarding is active
When you turn on call forwarding, incoming calls to your original number will ring on the forwarded-to phone. The caller still sees your original number on their screen — they have no way to know the call was redirected. If both phones are nearby, you'll hear both ringing at the same time, which can be confusing; most people turn off the original phone or silence it to avoid this.
If the forwarded-to number is busy or doesn't answer, the call behavior depends on your carrier's settings. Some systems send the call back to your original number, some send it to voicemail on the forwarded-to phone, and some send it to your original voicemail. You can usually control this through your carrier's app or by contacting them directly.
Call forwarding uses your regular cell phone minutes or data plan, depending on your carrier's setup. The call is treated as a regular incoming call on the forwarded-to phone, so if you're forwarding to a long-distance number, charges may explore depending on your plan.
Troubleshooting when call forwarding isn't working
If calls aren't reaching the forwarded-to phone, first check that call forwarding is actually turned on. Go back to your Phone app settings or dial *#21# to check the status. This code displays your current forwarding settings without changing anything. If forwarding shows as off, turn it back on and confirm the forwarded-to number is correct — a single wrong digit will send calls to the wrong place.
If forwarding is on but calls still aren't going through, the forwarded-to number itself might be the problem. Call that number from another phone to confirm it's working and receiving calls. If it's not, fix the number in your forwarding settings. Also check that your carrier has call forwarding turned on for your account; some carriers require you to contact them to set up it before the feature works, even if your phone has the menu option.
If you've confirmed the forwarding is on and the number is correct but calls are still not reaching the forwarded phone, contact your carrier's support line. There may be a technical issue on their end, or your account may have a restriction preventing forwarding from working.
When to use alternatives to call forwarding
Call forwarding works well for temporary situations — traveling for a week, covering for a coworker, or transitioning to a new phone number. For permanent setups, consider other options. If you're changing phone numbers permanently, ask your old carrier about number porting, which moves your number to a new carrier rather than forwarding it. This gives you one number instead of managing two.
If you want to receive calls on multiple phones at once without forwarding, some carriers offer a feature called "simultaneous ring" or "ring all" that rings several numbers at the same time. This is different from forwarding because all phones ring together rather than sequentially. Check with your carrier to see if this option is available and whether it costs extra.
For business use, a virtual phone system or VoIP service like Google Voice, Skype, or a business phone system gives you more control over routing, voicemail, and call recording than basic call forwarding. These services are worth considering if you need forwarding to multiple numbers, call screening, or detailed call logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person calling me know their call was forwarded?
No. The caller sees your original number on their screen and has no way to know the call was sent elsewhere. From their perspective, they called your number and you answered — they don't see or hear any indication of forwarding.
Can I forward calls to an international number?
Yes, but international forwarding may incur additional charges depending on your carrier and plan. Contact your carrier before setting up international forwarding to understand what fees may explore. Some carriers charge per minute for international forwarded calls, while others include it in your plan.
What happens to voicemail when call forwarding is on?
This depends on your carrier's setup. Some systems send unanswered calls to the voicemail of the forwarded-to phone, while others send them to your original voicemail. You can usually control this through your carrier's settings or by contacting them. If you're not sure where voicemails are going, test it by calling your number and letting it ring unanswered.
Can I set up call forwarding for specific contacts only?
Standard call forwarding forwards all incoming calls. If you want to forward calls from only certain people, you'll need a more advanced system like Google Voice, which lets you set up rules for specific contacts. Your phone's built-in call forwarding doesn't have this level of control.
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 powered off, calls will still be forwarded to the number you set up. This is why forwarding is useful when you're traveling or away from your phone.