Call Forwarding Guide
How to Forward Calls to Another Number
Forwarding codes for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and business landlines, to send every call or only the calls you miss to another number, and to turn forwarding off.
| Carrier | Forward every call | Forward missed calls | Turn off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | *72 + number | *71 + number | *73 |
| AT&T | *21* + number + # | **004* + number + # | #21# (all) or ##004# (missed) |
| T-Mobile | **21* + number + # | **004* + number + # | ##21# (all) or ##004# (missed) |
| Landline & Office Phones | *72 + number | Varies (*71 on Spectrum) | *73 |
“Number” is the 10-digit number you're forwarding to, with no spaces or dashes.
Forward Every Call or Only Missed Calls?
Best for most businesses
Forward only missed calls
Your phone rings first. Calls you don't answer, decline, or can't take because you're on another call are forwarded. Also called conditional forwarding or no-answer/busy forwarding.
Nights, weekends, job sites
Forward every call
Calls go straight to the forwarding number and your phone doesn't ring. Useful when you know you can't answer, like after hours or on a job. Turn it off when you're back.
Forwarding Without Codes
You can also turn on forwarding from your phone's settings or your phone system's app.
iPhone
Settings › Apps › Phone › Call Forwarding (on older iOS: Settings › Phone › Call Forwarding). This turns on forward-all only. For missed-call forwarding, dial your carrier's code.
Android
Phone app › Settings › Calls (or Supplementary services) › Call forwarding. The exact menu varies by manufacturer. Many Android phones show separate options for busy, unanswered, and unreachable calls.
VoIP phone systems
RingCentral, Grasshopper, Nextiva, Ooma, and similar services set forwarding in their app or admin portal, usually under call handling or answering rules. Many let you forward after a set number of rings.
If Forwarding Isn't Working
- Dial the code from the phone you want to forward, not from another line.
- Enter the number as 10 digits with no spaces, dashes, or parentheses.
- Wait for the confirmation tone or message before hanging up.
- Test from a different phone. Calling your own number from the same phone won't show whether forwarding works.
- If calls still go to voicemail, turn forwarding off with your carrier's off code, then set it up again.
Forward Missed Calls to an AI Receptionist
Ringzy gives you a local number with an AI receptionist on the other end. Forward the calls you miss to it and every caller talks to someone, 24/7, instead of reaching voicemail. Plans start at $39/month with a 7-day free trial.
Keep your number
Customers keep calling the number on your truck, website, and Google profile.
Your phone rings first
With missed-call forwarding, you answer when you can. Ringzy picks up the calls you can't.
Every caller gets an answer
The AI answers questions, books appointments, and emails you a transcript and summary.
Using live call transfers? Set Ringzy's transfer number to a different phone than the one you forwarded. Otherwise an unanswered transfer can be forwarded straight back to Ringzy.
Call Forwarding FAQ
On a mobile phone, dial your carrier's forwarding code followed by the 10-digit number. On Verizon, dial *72 plus the number to forward every call or *71 to forward only missed calls. On AT&T, dial *21*, the number, and #. On T-Mobile, dial **21*, the number, and #. On most landlines, dial *72 and the number.
Use conditional forwarding. On Verizon, dial *71 and the number. On AT&T and T-Mobile, dial **004*, the number, and # to forward calls you don't answer, calls while you're busy, and calls while your phone is off. On Spectrum landlines, *71 forwards unanswered or busy calls.
Verizon and most landlines: dial *73. AT&T: #21# for forward-all and ##004# for conditional forwarding. T-Mobile: ##21# for forward-all and ##004# for conditional forwarding.
Most mobile plans include call forwarding, but forwarded calls can count toward your minutes, which usually doesn't matter on an unlimited plan. On some landline plans, call forwarding is a paid add-on.
Yes. Forward your existing number to the answering service's number. With missed-call forwarding, your phone rings first and the service only answers the calls you can't take. This is how most businesses use Ringzy.
No. Callers dial your usual number and simply hear the call being answered. Forwarding happens inside the phone network.
Ready to Transform Your Business Communications?
Stop losing customers to missed calls. Give Ringzy a try and see the difference an AI receptionist can make.
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