The basics of call forwarding
Call forwarding lets you send incoming calls from one phone number to a different phone — either another mobile phone, a landline, or a work number. When someone calls your original number, the call rings on whichever phone you've set it to forward to instead. You stay reachable without being physically near your main phone.
Most phone carriers include call forwarding as a standard feature at no extra cost. The setup takes minutes and works whether you're using a smartphone, a flip phone, or a traditional home phone line. The method depends on what type of phone service you have and which phone you want calls to ring on.
Key Takeaways
- Call forwarding is a free feature on most phone plans that sends your incoming calls to a different phone number you choose.
- On a smartphone, you typically turn on call forwarding in the phone's Settings app under Phone or Call Settings, then enter the number where you want calls to go.
- On a landline, you usually dial *72 followed by the forwarding number, or use your carrier's online account portal.
- When call forwarding is active, callers still reach your original number, but the call rings on the phone you selected instead.
- You can turn call forwarding off anytime by disabling it in your phone settings or dialing *73 on a landline.
Setting up call forwarding on an iPhone
On an iPhone, call forwarding lives in the Phone app settings. Open Settings, tap Phone, then look for Call Forwarding. Tap it to turn it on, and you'll see a field asking for the number where you want calls forwarded. Type in the complete phone number — including the area code — where you want incoming calls to ring.
Once you enter the number and confirm, your iPhone will send a test call to that number to make sure it works. After the test succeeds, call forwarding is active. Any call that comes to your iPhone number will now ring on the phone number you entered instead. You'll see a small arrow icon in your status bar at the top of the screen when forwarding is on, so you know it's active.
To turn it off, go back to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and toggle it off. Your original phone will start receiving calls again.
Setting up call forwarding on an Android phone
Android phones vary by manufacturer, but the process is similar. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon, and look for Settings or Call Settings. Find Call Forwarding or Call Divert. Tap it and select the type of forwarding you want — usually "Forward all calls" is the option you need.
Enter the phone number where you want calls to go, including the area code. Some Android phones will ask you to confirm the number. Once saved, forwarding is active. Like on iPhone, you may see an indicator showing that forwarding is on.
If you can't find these options in your phone's settings, your carrier may require you to set up forwarding through their website or customer portal instead. Check your carrier's support page for Android call forwarding instructions specific to your phone model.
Setting up call forwarding on a landline
Landline call forwarding works differently because it's managed by your phone carrier, not your phone itself. The quickest method is to dial *72 on your landline, wait for a dial tone, then dial the phone number where you want calls forwarded. Press the # key or wait for confirmation. Your carrier will confirm that forwarding is active.
To turn off landline call forwarding, dial *73 from that same landline. You'll hear a confirmation tone when it's disabled. If *72 and *73 don't work on your landline, your carrier may use different codes — check your phone bill or call your carrier's customer service to find out what codes explore to your account.
Alternatively, you can log into your carrier's online account portal and set up call forwarding there. This method is useful if you want to set forwarding before you leave home or if you prefer not to use dial codes.
Using your carrier's online portal
Most phone carriers — whether for mobile or landline — let you manage call forwarding through their website or mobile app. Log into your account, look for a section called Phone Settings, Call Management, or Call Features. You'll usually find call forwarding listed there along with other options like call waiting or do-not-disturb.
The advantage of using the online portal is that you can set up forwarding from any computer or phone, and you can see exactly which number is currently set to receive your calls. Some carriers also let you schedule forwarding to turn on and off at certain times — useful if you want calls forwarded only during business hours or while you're traveling.
If you're unsure how to access your carrier's portal, call their customer service number — it's usually on your bill or on your carrier's website. They can walk you through logging in and setting up forwarding.
What happens when call forwarding is active
When call forwarding is on, the person calling your number doesn't know anything has changed. They dial your number as usual, and it rings on the phone you set up for forwarding. From their perspective, they're calling you normally. The call appears to come from your original number on the receiving phone's caller ID.
If the forwarding number is busy or doesn't answer, the call may go to voicemail on the forwarding number, or it may bounce back to your original number's voicemail — this depends on your carrier and phone setup. Test your forwarding with a friend to see how it behaves before you rely on it for important calls.
Call forwarding uses your phone plan's minutes or data, depending on your carrier. If you're forwarding to a long-distance number, check whether your plan includes those minutes, or you may see extra charges on your bill.
Turning off call forwarding and troubleshooting
To stop call forwarding, use the same method you used to turn it on. On a smartphone, go to Settings and toggle call forwarding off. On a landline, dial *73. In your carrier's online portal, find call forwarding and disable it. Once disabled, calls will ring on your original phone again.
If call forwarding isn't working, first check that it's actually turned on — look for the forwarding indicator in your phone's status bar or settings. If it's on but calls aren't forwarding, the forwarding number may be wrong. Go back and re-enter it carefully, including the area code. If you're forwarding to a number that's often busy, calls may not forward if that line is in use.
If you've tried these steps and forwarding still isn't working, contact your carrier. They can check whether forwarding is set up correctly on their end and troubleshoot any technical issues. Have your phone number and the forwarding number ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I forward calls to multiple phones at the same time?
Standard call forwarding sends calls to one number only. However, some carriers offer a feature called "simultaneous ring" or "ring all" that makes calls ring on multiple phones at once. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service to see if this feature is available on your plan.
Will I be charged for forwarded calls?
Call forwarding itself is usually free, but the call itself uses your plan's minutes or data. If you're forwarding to a long-distance number, check whether your plan covers those calls. Some plans charge extra for long-distance forwarding, so review your plan details or contact your carrier if you're unsure.
What if the person I'm forwarding to doesn't answer?
The call will typically go to voicemail on the forwarding number. Some carriers let you set up a backup number so calls ring on a second phone if the first one doesn't answer. Check your carrier's call forwarding options to see if this feature is available.
Can I set up call forwarding if I'm out of the country?
Yes, you can set up forwarding through your carrier's online portal or by calling customer service from anywhere. However, forwarding calls internationally may result in higher charges. Contact your carrier before setting up international forwarding to understand the costs.
Does the person calling know their call is being forwarded?
No. The caller dials your number and doesn't see any indication that the call is being forwarded. On their end, it appears as a normal call to your number. The call straightforward rings on the phone you've set up to receive it.