How call forwarding works

Call forwarding is a feature that sends incoming calls from your phone number to a different phone — a second mobile, a landline, or even a work phone. When someone calls your original number, the call rings on whichever phone you've set up to receive it. You don't need a new phone number, and the caller doesn't know the call has been redirected.

Most phone carriers offer call forwarding as a standard feature, either built into your phone's settings or activated through your carrier's customer service. The setup takes minutes, and you can turn it on or off whenever you need to.

Key Takeaways

  • Call forwarding sends your incoming calls to a different phone number you choose, and you control it from your phone's settings or your carrier's website.
  • Most carriers include call forwarding at no extra cost, though some charge a small monthly fee depending on your plan.
  • You can set up call forwarding to always redirect calls, or only when your phone is busy or you don't answer within a set number of rings.
  • The person calling you sees your original number, not the number the call is forwarded to.
  • Call forwarding works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi calling, but the forwarded-to number must be able to receive calls.

Setting up call forwarding on your phone

The easiest way to set up call forwarding is through your phone's built-in settings. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Phone, then Call Forwarding. Enter the phone number you want calls sent to and tap Enable. On an Android phone, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Call Forwarding, and enter your forwarding number.

Once you enable call forwarding, all incoming calls to your number will ring on the phone you specified. You'll see a call forwarding icon in your status bar to remind you it's active. To turn it off, return to the same menu and tap Disable.

If your phone doesn't have a call forwarding option in settings, your carrier may require you to set it up through their website or customer service line instead.

Using conditional call forwarding

Conditional call forwarding sends calls to another number only under certain conditions — for example, when your phone is off, when you're on another call, or when you don't answer within a set number of rings. This is useful if you want to keep calls on your main phone most of the time but catch important calls on a backup device.

On iPhone, you'll find these options under Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. You can set up "Forward when unanswered" to ring a second phone after 15, 20, or 25 seconds. On Android, the options vary by manufacturer and carrier, but most phones offer similar conditional settings in the Phone app's call forwarding menu.

Conditional forwarding is also called "call forwarding on no answer" or "busy forwarding" depending on which condition you choose. Check your phone's settings to see which options your carrier supports.

Setting up call forwarding through your carrier

If your phone's settings don't have a call forwarding option, or if you prefer to manage it through your carrier's website, you can set it up online or by phone. Log into your carrier's account portal — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers all offer this feature in their customer dashboards.

Look for a section called Call Forwarding, Call Management, or Phone Features. Enter the number you want to forward to, choose whether you want all calls forwarded or only certain conditions, and save. Changes usually take effect within minutes.

If you can't find the option online, call your carrier's customer service line. They can set up call forwarding for you over the phone and confirm it's working. Some carriers also allow you to set up call forwarding by dialing a code from your phone — for example, *72 followed by the forwarding number — though this method varies by carrier.

What happens to voicemail and text messages

Call forwarding only redirects incoming calls, not text messages or voicemail. Text messages will still arrive on your original phone number, and voicemail will still be stored in your original carrier's system. If you want voicemail to go to the forwarded number instead, you'll need to set that up separately through your carrier's voicemail settings.

Some carriers offer visual voicemail, which lets you see transcripts of voicemail messages on any device. If your carrier supports this, you can check voicemail from whichever phone you're using, even if the actual message is stored on your original number.

Costs and carrier policies

Most carriers include call forwarding at no extra charge as part of your standard plan. However, some carriers or older plans may charge a small monthly fee — typically $1 to $3 — to use the feature. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service to confirm whether call forwarding is included in your plan.

Be aware that if you forward calls to an international number, your carrier may charge long-distance or international rates for each forwarded call. Forwarding to a domestic number within the United States or Canada is almost always free.

Troubleshooting call forwarding problems

If calls aren't forwarding, first check that call forwarding is actually enabled in your phone's settings or your carrier's account. Look for the call forwarding icon in your status bar — if it's not there, the feature isn't active.

If call forwarding is on but calls still aren't reaching the forwarded number, make sure the number you entered is correct and that it's a number that can receive calls. Some services, like Google Voice or certain business phone systems, may not work as forwarding destinations. Try forwarding to a standard mobile or landline number first to test whether the feature itself is working.

If the forwarded-to phone isn't ringing but your original phone is, your carrier may have a temporary issue. Disable call forwarding, wait a few minutes, and re-enable it. If the problem persists, contact your carrier's customer service — they can check whether call forwarding is active on their end and troubleshoot from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward calls to multiple phones at the same time?

Most carriers' standard call forwarding sends calls to one number at a time. However, some carriers offer a feature called "simultaneous ring" or "ring all" that lets you forward to multiple numbers so they all ring at once. Check with your carrier to see if this option is available on your plan.

Will the person calling me know their call is being forwarded?

No. The caller sees your original phone number and has no way to know the call has been redirected to another device. The call appears to come from your number on both the original phone and the forwarded-to phone.

What if I'm traveling internationally and want to forward calls?

You can forward calls to an international number, but your carrier will likely charge international rates for each forwarded call. It's usually cheaper to use a calling app like WhatsApp or Google Voice on your international phone instead. Check with your carrier about international call forwarding rates before setting it up.

Can I set up call forwarding if my phone is turned off?

No. Call forwarding is a feature that runs on your phone, so your phone must be powered on and connected to a network for it to work. If your phone is off, calls will go to voicemail instead. If you need calls to reach you when your phone is off, you'll need to set up forwarding before you turn it off.

Does call forwarding work with Wi-Fi calling?

Yes. Call forwarding works whether your phone is using cellular service or Wi-Fi calling. As long as your phone has an active connection and call forwarding is enabled, calls will forward to the number you specified.