How to start or stop call forwarding on your smartphone

Call forwarding offers you flexibility and ensures you never miss important calls. It is helpful if you’re travelling or working away from your office so that your contacts always reach you. You can use it to redirect your work phone to your cell for after-hours availability. Call forwarding can even provide backup coverage for your business’s main line, forwarding calls to another location if your primary number is unreachable.

Here’s a breakdown of how to start or stop call forwarding on your smartphone, covering both Android and iOS devices:

Enabling or disabling call forwarding on Android Phones

Here’s how to enable or disable call forwarding on your Android smartphone.

1. Launch the default “Phone” app on your phone and open it.

2. Tap the three dots or settings icon in the top-right corner for the options menu. Tap on “Settings.”

3. Navigate to “Call Forwarding,” “Call Settings,” or “Supplementary Services” to see the following call forwarding options:

Always Forward: All incoming calls are forwarded.

When Busy: Calls are forwarded when your line is busy.

When Unanswered: Calls are forwarded when you don’t answer.

When Unreachable: Calls are forwarded when your phone is off or out of service.

4. To enable call forwarding, tap on the desired option, enter the phone number where you want calls forwarded and tap “Turn On” or “Enable.” To turn it off, tap on “Turn Off” or “Disable.”

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Enabling or disabling call forwarding on iPhones

Here’s how to enable or disable call forwarding on your iPhone.

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone and then tap on Phone.

2. Navigate to Call Forwarding and tap on the toggle to turn call forwarding on or off.

3. Enter the call forwarding number where you want calls forwarded and then tap back to save the setting.

Some phones and carriers might use a phone icon with a curved arrow pointing away from it to indicate call forwarding is active.

Using codes to start or stop call forwarding

Alternatively, the following call forwarding codes can be used to start or stop call forwarding on an Android smartphone or iPhone.

1. Code: *21*PhoneNumber# for always forward.

2. Code: *67*PhoneNumber# for call forwarding when busy.

3. Code: *61*PhoneNumber# for call forwarding when you don’t answer.

4. Code: *21*PhoneNumber# for call forwarding when your phone is off or out of service.

To use any of the above codes, open the Dialler app and enter the code by replacing the phone number with the actual number you want to forward calls to and then press the “Call” button. To stop forwarding your calls, you’ll need the call forwarding deactivate code, which is usually ##002#.

Additional Information

The exact location of settings and menu options may differ slightly between phone models and different Android versions. If you have trouble finding it, try searching for “call forwarding” in your phone’s main Settings app. Contact your telecom network provider if you need further assistance. It can provide specific instructions for your phone model.

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Call forwarding can lead to additional charges because it essentially involves routing calls from one number to another, often across different networks or even countries. When a call is forwarded, your service provider may apply fees for the forwarded portion of the call, like making an outbound call. These charges can vary depending on your carrier and the destination to which calls are forwarded.

When forwarding calls, make sure that the calls are not directed to unfamiliar numbers. Remember to disable forwarding when it is not needed to prevent missed calls and unexpected fees. By following these precautions, you can use call forwarding effectively while minimising risks.