Learn How to Forward Your Calls to Another Number

Understanding Call Forwarding and How It Works

Call forwarding is a telecommunications feature that redirects incoming calls from one phone number to another number of your choice. When someone calls your original phone number, the call automatically routes to the forwarding number you've set up. This means you don't have to be physically near your primary phone to receive calls meant for that line.

The technology behind call forwarding has been available for decades and works across most phone systems—landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. When a call comes in, your phone service provider's system recognizes that forwarding is active and sends the call to your designated alternative number instead of ringing your primary device.

Call forwarding operates in real time, meaning it happens instantly. The caller typically hears a normal ringtone and may not realize their call was redirected unless they check the phone number that answers. Some forwarding services also allow callers to hear a message before being transferred, letting them know the call will be forwarded.

Different phone systems offer varying levels of call forwarding capability. Basic call forwarding sends all incoming calls to one alternate number. More advanced versions let you set conditions—such as forwarding only when your line is busy, or only after a certain number of rings without answer. Some systems also allow you to forward calls to multiple numbers simultaneously or to different numbers depending on the time of day.

Practical takeaway: Before setting up call forwarding, identify what type of phone service you have (mobile carrier, landline provider, or VoIP service) and determine whether you need basic forwarding or more advanced conditional options based on your situation.

Call Forwarding Options for Mobile Phones

Mobile phone call forwarding is one of the most commonly used versions of this service. Major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others offer call forwarding features to their customers. The specific steps and costs vary slightly between carriers, but the general process remains similar across most providers.

Most carriers offer several types of mobile call forwarding. Unconditional forwarding sends every incoming call to your designated number without any conditions. Conditional forwarding activates only in specific situations—for example, forwarding calls when your phone is powered off, when you don't answer within a set number of rings, or when your line is already in use. Some carriers also offer simultaneous ringing, which rings both your primary phone and a secondary number at the same time.

Setting up call forwarding on most mobile networks involves entering a code through the phone's dial pad. For many carriers, you dial *72 followed by the 10-digit phone number where you want calls forwarded, then press the call button. To deactivate forwarding, you typically dial *720 or *73. However, these codes can differ between carriers and phone operating systems.

Costs associated with mobile call forwarding vary. Some carriers include it as a standard feature at no additional charge, while others may charge a monthly fee ranging from $0 to $10. International call forwarding—sending calls to a number outside the United States—often costs more and may incur per-minute charges in addition to any base fees. It's worth checking your carrier's website or contacting customer service to understand your specific pricing structure.

Practical takeaway: Contact your mobile carrier directly or visit their website to learn the exact codes needed for your specific service plan, any associated costs, and whether conditional forwarding options are available to you.

Call Forwarding for Landline and Home Phone Services

Landline call forwarding operates differently than mobile forwarding because landlines connect through stationary equipment in your home or office. Most traditional landline providers, including companies that offer bundled internet, phone, and television services, include call forwarding as a standard feature or offer it for a small monthly fee.

Activating landline call forwarding typically requires accessing your phone's control panel or dialing specific codes on your telephone. Many landline systems use a feature code approach similar to mobile phones. Common codes include *72 to activate call forwarding and *73 to deactivate it, though this varies by provider. Some landline services also offer a web portal where you can set up call forwarding through your account without using dial codes.

Landline call forwarding offers several practical advantages. If you're away from home, you can forward your calls to a mobile phone or workplace number. If you have multiple phone lines in your home, you can forward one line to another. Some landline providers offer "selective call forwarding," which lets you forward calls from only certain numbers while allowing others to reach your home phone normally.

For seniors or people with mobility limitations, landline call forwarding solves the problem of not being able to reach the phone quickly. A person can forward their home phone to a mobile device they carry with them, ensuring they don't miss important calls. Families sometimes use this feature to forward an elderly parent's landline to an adult child's phone during the day.

One important consideration: landline forwarding typically requires the destination number to be active and working. You cannot forward to a number that is disconnected or invalid. Additionally, if the forwarding destination is a long-distance number, carriers may charge additional fees similar to regular long-distance charges.

Practical takeaway: Contact your landline provider or check your bill to determine whether call forwarding is included or available, what the activation codes are, and whether any charges apply.

Call Forwarding Through VoIP and Internet Phone Services

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Vonage, Google Voice, and similar providers typically offer more flexible call forwarding options than traditional phone services. Since VoIP systems operate through the internet rather than traditional phone lines, they can offer features that landlines and some mobile services cannot.

Google Voice, one of the most widely used free VoIP services, provides straightforward call forwarding. Users can add up to six phone numbers as forwarding destinations and choose which numbers should ring simultaneously when someone calls their Google Voice number. Google Voice also records calls, transcribes voicemails, and lets users screen calls before answering. The service is free for domestic calls and charges only for international forwarding, with rates varying by country.

Commercial VoIP services like Vonage, Ooma, and others offer call forwarding as part of their standard packages. These services often include multiple phone lines, voicemail-to-email transcription, and the ability to set different forwarding rules for different times of day. For example, you could forward business calls to your office during work hours and to your mobile phone after 5 p.m.

VoIP call forwarding often includes advanced features like call scheduling. You might set different forwarding numbers for weekdays versus weekends, or change forwarding rules based on holidays. Some services integrate with calendar applications, automatically adjusting forwarding when you mark yourself as out of office.

Setup for VoIP call forwarding usually requires logging into an online account rather than dialing codes. You access the provider's website or mobile app, navigate to settings, and add your forwarding numbers. Changes typically take effect within minutes. This makes it easier to manage multiple forwarding rules and see exactly what's active at any given time.

Practical takeaway: If you use a VoIP service, explore your account settings to see what forwarding options are available—many users don't realize how many advanced features their service includes.

Specific Steps for Setting Up Call Forwarding on Major Carriers

For Verizon mobile customers, call forwarding is activated by dialing *72 followed by the 10-digit number where calls should go, then pressing call. To check if call forwarding is active, dial *#72# and press call. To turn it off, dial *720 and press call. Verizon charges $0 per month for basic call forwarding to a U.S. number, making it a free service for most customers.

AT&T customers use similar codes: *72 to activate, *73 to deactivate, and *#73# to check status. The forwarding number is entered the same way—dial *72, the destination number, then call. AT&T also offers conditional call forwarding, activated with *71 for busy line forwarding and *61 for no-answer forwarding. These conditional options are also provided free to most AT&T customers.

T-Mobile call forwarding uses the same basic codes: *72 to activate and *