The basics of call forwarding

Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your phone to a different number you choose. When someone calls your original number, the call rings on the other phone instead — or in addition to it, depending on which type of forwarding you set up. You control where calls go, and you can turn forwarding on and off whenever you need it.

The method you use depends on what kind of phone service you have. Mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile each have their own forwarding systems. Landline providers have different ones. VoIP services like Google Voice or Ooma have their own settings. The basic idea is the same everywhere, but the steps change.

Most forwarding happens at the carrier level, meaning your phone company handles it before the call reaches you. Some services also let you set up forwarding through an app or online account, which gives you more control over when it's active.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding routes incoming calls to another phone number you specify, and most carriers let you turn it on and off with a code or through your account.
  • Mobile carriers use different codes and apps — AT&T uses *72, Verizon uses *72 or the My Verizon app, T-Mobile uses *72, and you should check your carrier's website for exact steps.
  • Landline forwarding usually requires calling your provider or logging into your online account, since most landlines don't support the *72 code.
  • Google Voice and other VoIP services let you set forwarding rules through their apps or websites, and you can route calls to multiple numbers at once.
  • When you set up forwarding, test it by calling your original number from another phone to make sure calls reach the right place.

Call forwarding on mobile phones

Most mobile carriers support call forwarding through a code you dial directly from your phone. The most common code is *72, which you dial, then press the number you want calls forwarded to, then press the pound key (#). The carrier confirms the forwarding is active. To turn it off, dial *73 and press #.

AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all use *72 to set up and *73 to deactivate, though Verizon also offers forwarding through the My Verizon app if you prefer not to use codes. Sprint (now part of T-Mobile) uses the same codes. If you're on a smaller carrier like US Cellular or a regional provider, check their website for the exact code, because some carriers use different numbers.

When you dial *72 and the number, your phone may show a message saying forwarding is active, or it may just return to the home screen. The safest way to confirm it worked is to call your own number from a different phone and listen to where it rings. If it rings on the forwarded number, you're set.

One thing to know: when call forwarding is on, your original phone won't ring at all. The call goes straight to the other number. If you want your original phone to ring too, you need simultaneous forwarding or call waiting instead, which works differently and depends on your carrier's plan.

Call forwarding on landlines

Landline forwarding usually doesn't work with the *72 code. Instead, you log into your account on your provider's website or call their customer service line to set it up. Providers like Comcast, Verizon Fios, AT&T landline, and local carriers all have their own portals.

When you log in, look for a section called "Call Forwarding," "Call Management," or "Phone Settings." You'll enter the number you want calls forwarded to, choose whether forwarding is always on or only during certain hours, and save. Some providers let you set multiple rules — for example, forward calls to your mobile during the day and to your home office at night.

If you don't have online access or prefer to set it up by phone, call your landline provider's customer service number (usually on your bill) and ask them to set up call forwarding. They'll ask for the destination number and confirm it's set. This usually takes a few minutes.

Landline forwarding often costs extra — anywhere from $3 to $10 per month depending on your provider — so check your bill or ask before you set it up. Some plans include it at no charge.

Call forwarding with Google Voice and VoIP services

Google Voice is a free phone number that forwards to up to six different phones at once. You can set it up on your computer or through the Google Voice app. When someone calls your Google Voice number, it rings on all the phones you've listed, and you pick up on whichever one you want.

To set up Google Voice forwarding, go to voice.google.com, click the Settings gear icon, select "Phones," and add the numbers you want calls to ring on. You can also set up rules so calls to your Google Voice number ring different phones depending on who's calling — for example, calls from your boss ring your work phone, but calls from family ring your personal phone.

Other VoIP services like Ooma, Vonage, and MagicJack have similar forwarding built into their apps or websites. Log into your account, find the forwarding or call routing section, and add the numbers you want. Most let you turn forwarding on and off from the app without logging into a website.

The advantage of VoIP forwarding is flexibility — you're not locked into your carrier's rules, and you can change where calls go when ready from your phone. The downside is that if the VoIP service goes down, your forwarding stops working until it's back up.

Temporary forwarding vs. permanent setup

If you only need forwarding for a few days — like when you're traveling or waiting for a new phone — use the *72 code on a mobile phone. It's quick, costs nothing, and you can turn it off just as fast with *73. For landlines, you can call your provider and ask them to set up it temporarily; they'll usually do it over the phone without charging you for a short period.

If you need forwarding for weeks or months, set it up through your carrier's app or website so you don't have to remember to dial codes. This also makes it easier to turn off when you don't need it anymore — you just log in and flip a switch instead of dialing a code.

For permanent forwarding — like if you're changing your primary phone number but want to keep your old one active — Google Voice or a VoIP service is often cheaper than paying your carrier's monthly forwarding fee. You get a new number that forwards to your real phone, and you can keep it for years.

Testing your forwarding and troubleshooting

After you set up forwarding, always test it. Call your original number from a different phone — a friend's phone, a work phone, or even a payphone if you can find one. Listen to where the call rings. If it rings on the forwarded number, you're done. If it rings on your original phone or goes to voicemail, something didn't set up correctly.

If forwarding didn't work, check these things: First, make sure you dialed the code correctly (usually *72 for mobile, then the number, then #). Second, confirm the destination number is correct — a typo in one digit means calls go to the wrong place. Third, check whether your carrier charges for forwarding and whether it's included in your plan. Some plans don't support it.

If you're using an app or website to set up forwarding, make sure you saved your changes. Many apps require you to click a "Save" or "explore" button, and if you close the app without saving, nothing happens. Log back in and check that the number is still there.

If forwarding is on but calls aren't reaching the other phone, the destination number might be invalid or the phone might be turned off. Try calling that number directly to make sure it works. If it does, contact your carrier's customer service — there may be a technical issue on their end.

What happens to voicemail when forwarding is on

When call forwarding is active, voicemail behavior depends on your setup. If the forwarded phone answers, the call ends normally and no voicemail is involved. If the forwarded phone doesn't answer, the call goes to that phone's voicemail, not your original phone's voicemail.

This matters if you want callers to reach your original voicemail greeting. If that's important to you, set up simultaneous ringing instead of forwarding — this makes both phones ring at the same time, so if you don't answer either one, the call goes to your original voicemail. Simultaneous ringing is available on most mobile plans and some landline plans, though it may cost extra.

With Google Voice, you control voicemail separately. You can set up a custom greeting for your Google Voice number, and if nobody answers, calls go to Google Voice voicemail, not to any of the forwarded phones' voicemail. This is actually useful if you want one voicemail inbox for all your forwarded calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person calling know their call is being forwarded?

No. From the caller's perspective, they're calling your original number and you're answering. They won't see or hear anything that tells them the call was forwarded. The forwarding happens behind the scenes at your carrier's level.

Can I forward calls to an international number?

Yes, but it may cost extra. Most carriers allow international forwarding, but they charge international calling rates for each forwarded call. Check your carrier's website or call customer service to confirm the cost before you set it up, because the charges can add up quickly if you receive many calls.

What's the difference between call forwarding and call waiting?

Call forwarding sends all incoming calls to another number. Call waiting lets you know when a second call is coming in while you're already on a call, so you can switch between them. They're different features. You can have both active at the same time.

If I set up forwarding and then turn off my original phone, will calls still forward?

Yes. Forwarding happens at your carrier's network level, not on your phone itself. Even if your phone is off, dead, or in airplane mode, calls to your number will still forward to the other phone. This is why forwarding is useful when you're traveling or between phones.

Can I forward calls to multiple numbers at once?

With standard carrier forwarding (*72), no — you can only forward to one number. With Google Voice or other VoIP services, yes — you can forward to multiple numbers and they'll all ring at the same time. This is called simultaneous ringing or ring-all.