Call Forwarding: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

articles>Verizon Unlimited Plans

Feb 03, 2023

How to use call forwarding: turn it on, turn it off, set conditions and understand your billing.

It’s true that Call Forwarding isn’t exactly rocket science. Whether it’s the latest iPhone or your favorite Android device, press a few buttons on your phone and you’re done with the basic setup. But sometimes your needs are more complex. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about this helpful Verizon service.

Call Forwarding: How to Activate It

The basics of Verizon’s Call Forwarding service (also known as Immediate Call Forwarding) are straightforward: From your mobile phone, dial *72 plus the phone number you want to forward calls to. You can also activate Call Forwarding through My Verizon. If you’ve left your phone at home, for example, you don’t have to make yourself late for work going back for it. Simply visit Verizon’s Call Forwarding page to get started with forwarding your calls to a landline or even another mobile phone. Just remember that your phone won’t ring again until you turn off call forwarding—and doing that is just as simple.

How to Turn it Off

There are two ways to cancel Call Forwarding:

  1. Dial *73 from your mobile phone, or

  2. Use My Verizon (see Call Forwarding to get started)

Call Forwarding: Everything You Need to Know (4)

Modify it Without Internet Service

What happens if you want to activate or cancel Verizon Call Forwarding but you don’t have web access or your phone with you? Just call Customer Service at 800-922-0204, and they’ll take care of it for you.

Forward Calls Only When Busy or on Another Line

What if you want to forward calls only when you’re unable to pick up or on another call? Then the No Answer/Busy Transfer feature (also known as Conditional Call Forwarding) may be the solution. Use this feature to send calls to another phone when your phone is busy or when you don’t answer after three or four rings: Dial *71 and the number you want to forward calls to. You may activate Conditional Call Forwarding through My Verizon as well. While this feature is active, your phone will ring several times when you get an incoming call, giving you the chance to answer. If you’re on the phone or choose not to answer, the call will be forwarded to the destination phone number. You can still make outbound calls with this feature activated. To deactivate the No Answer/Busy Transfer feature, just dial *73.

International Limitations

Unfortunately, you cannot forward calls to an international (non-U.S.) number.

Call Forwarding: Everything You Need to Know (5)

Billing Details

There is no monthly fee for Call Forwarding if you’re on a current plan. Some retired plans may have a fee. Visit your account's Call Forwarding page to verify whether Call Forwarding is included with your plan. Airtime charges still apply to all forwarded calls, even if the calls are forwarded to a landline. You won’t be charged for long-distance if you’re on a plan that includes long distance. Additional per-minute charges may apply to forwarded calls.

Common Troubleshooting

Sometimes even the simplest of things can hit a snag. For example, a caller might get a busy signal when they call you, even though you’ve activated Call Forwarding. What’s going on? Make sure that you entered the intended forwarding number correctly. It’s easy to hit an extra button while setting up the service, and if that happens, the number won’t be recognized. Visit Verizon Call Forwarding support if you ever need more information.

Summary of Verizon Call Forwarding Codes

All calls: Call *72 + new number

Only when busy/no answer: Call *71 + new number

Turn off forwarding: Call *73

You can also watch this video to learn how to set up call forwarding.

To take advantage of this easy-to-use feature, check out the latest smartphones from Verizon.

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Reviewed by the Verizon Editorial Team. This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Verizon is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the above content.

Call Forwarding: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret code for call forwarding? ›

Code to check all call forwarding information: *#004# Code to turn off all forms of phone redirection: ##002# Code to check if phone is tapped: *#21# Code to show unknown connections and tracking (for Android): *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#*

What is *73 on your phone? ›

Call forwarding is activated when someone answers at the forwarded number. To deactivate call forwarding, dial *73. Listen for two beeps, then hang up. Answer all your incoming calls, even when you're already on the line.

What does *#21 do to your phone? ›

Dialing *#21# on a GSM network like AT&T or T-Mobile will tell you whether your calls and messages are being diverted to another number. Call **21* if you use Verizon, US Cellular, or another CDMA network to discover any unconditional call forwarding settings that may be used to tap your phone.

How do I pass call forwarding? ›

How to use Call Forwarding
  1. Listen for a dial tone, and press *72.
  2. Listen for a stutter dial tone followed by regular dial tone.
  3. Dial the number where you want your calls forwarded.
  4. When the phone is answered by either a person or voicemail, hang up. ...
  5. Your calls will now be forwarded to the number you dialed.

What does ##004 do? ›

Conditional (same method for Android devices)

This number is an internationally recognised code. No one will answer when you call it, but it will turn off conditional forwarding on your phone. It will reset your phone to its default phone settings.

What does dialing *# 31 do? ›

How to block or unblock my mobile phone number when making an outgoing call. To block your mobile phone number on a per-call basis, dial #31# before each phone number you call. To permanently block your number use your Call Settings menu.

What does * 57 do on your phone? ›

Call Trace helps you handle obscene, harassing, or threatening calls. It should only be used to trace harassing or threatening calls that warrant legal action. After activating Call Trace, you must contact your local law enforcement agency.

What is *77 on your phone? ›

Anonymous Call Rejection (*77) stops calls from people that use a blocking feature to keep their name or number from being displayed. When Anonymous Call Rejection is turned on, callers will hear a message telling them to hang up, turn off the blocking feature, and call again.

What does * 82 do to your phone? ›

Once your carrier sets you up with a private number, you can still use *82 if you run into call rejection. This step temporarily unblocks your number on a per-call basis. While you're on the phone, call your internet provider, too.

Does * * 4636 * * work? ›

Device Compatibility: While the ##4636## code is a standard code for most Android devices, it is possible that your device does not support this code. Some manufacturers may have removed or disabled this code on their devices [1].

What is the use of * * 4636 * *? ›

#*#*4636#*#* is a special code available in most of android phones. It can be used for changing our internet connection from 2g to 4g and vice versa and more other uses. You must carefull about a dangerous settings in this code.

What does *97 do on a phone? ›

The next time you receive a call from a number you wish to block, end the call and dial *97. The number will automatically be added to your Selective Call Rejection list. You can block up to 100 numbers. To manage or modify your Selective Call Rejection list, dial *60 and follow the prompts.

Why would someone use call forwarding? ›

Call forwarding improves productivity by getting more calls answered, especially in the current mobile work environment. If someone is out of the office for vacation or work travel, incoming calls can be sent to an alternate number, ensuring that callers get questions answered and issues resolved.

Can two cell phones receive the same incoming call? ›

If you're out of the office, calls can be automatically forwarded to a coworker. The simultaneously ring option is handy for people on the go. When you get a call it rings on two phone numbers at the same time.

When I dial *# 21 it says call forwarding unconditional? ›

When your phone displays "call forwarding unconditionally," it means that all incoming calls are being redirected to another number or voicemail, without any conditions. This could be a feature you've activated intentionally, or it could be set by your service provider.

What is the difference between *# 61 and *# 62? ›

Dial *#61# to request status of call diversion on your number when you are not responding. Dial *#67# to request status of call diversion on your number when your line is busy. Dial *#62# to request status of call diversion on your number when your handset is turned off or has not coverage.

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