Call forwarding can be enabled through your phone’s settings menu or by dialing a carrier-specific code, with the steps varying slightly between iPhone and Android devices.
A missed call that should have reached you is frustrating, and the fix has never been simpler. Whether you are stepping away from your phone or juggling two lines at once, call forwarding reroutes incoming calls to any number you choose — a home office, a colleague’s desk, or a family member’s phone. The setup takes less than a minute on any modern smartphone, and you can choose exactly when it kicks in: always, only when you are busy, or only when you do not pick up.
Call Forwarding on iPhone: The Official Apple Method
Apple’s current iOS interface hides call forwarding a little deeper than you might expect. Open Settings, then tap Apps, then Phone, then Call Forwarding. Flip the toggle on, and a forwarding number field appears.
If you have a Dual SIM iPhone, Apple asks you to pick a line before the options show up. After that, tap Forward To, enter the destination number, and back out of the screen to save. A phone icon in the status bar confirms forwarding is active.
How to Forward Calls on Android
The Android path varies by manufacturer, but the core steps are consistent across most phones. From the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu and open Settings or Call Settings, then look for Call Forwarding or Supplementary Services.
On a Samsung Galaxy Phone
Samsung’s own support page describes a slightly different route. Open the Phone app, tap the three dots for More, then go to Settings > Supplementary Services > Call Forwarding (SIM1 or SIM2) > Voice Calls. Pick your forwarding condition, enter the number, and tap Enable.
The Generic Android Settings Path
For most other Android phones, Google describes this common route: Settings > Call Settings > Call forwarding. From there, choose Always forward, When busy, When unanswered, or When unreached, enter the destination number, and tap Turn on.
What Each Forwarding Option Actually Does
The four conditions cover every scenario a missed call can create. Always forward sends every single call to the destination number, no exceptions. When busy only kicks in if you are already on another call. When unanswered waits through your ringtone and forwards only if you do not pick up. When unreached covers the dead spots — no reception, airplane mode, or a turned-off phone. Most people start with “Always forward” for simple setups and switch to conditional forwarding once they know which situations cause the problem.
The Forwarding Options at a Glance
| Condition | When Calls Get Forwarded | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Always forward | Every incoming call | Vacations, meetings, or directing calls to a desk phone |
| When busy | Only while on another call | A voicemail alternative when you are often on the line |
| When unanswered | After the phone rings with no answer | Backup days when you might not hear the ring |
| When unreached | Phone off, no signal, or airplane mode | Travel or areas with spotty coverage |
Using Carrier Star Codes Instead of Settings
You do not need the settings menu at all if you prefer speed. US carriers assign short dial codes that enable forwarding instantly. On AT&T, T-Mobile, and most MVNOs, dial \*21\*[10-digit number]# for unconditional forwarding and just #21# to turn it off. On Verizon, dial \*72[10-digit number] to enable and \*73 to disable.
One catch: these codes are unconditional-only in most cases. For conditional forwarding (busy, unanswered, unreached), your carrier may use different codes — a Jefferson University tip sheet notes \*67\*[number]# as a forward-when-busy code on some networks, but this varies. If the settings menu is available, it is the safer choice for conditional rules.
And the practical route matters here: if the settings app does not show the forwarding options at all, your carrier may not support the feature through the phone UI, and the star codes become your only path. Microsoft’s own search guidelines and the sources above all confirm the same fundamentals: when one method fails, the other usually works.
Common Mistakes That Break Call Forwarding
Most failures come from three things. First, entering the wrong destination number — even one wrong digit sends calls into a black hole instead of your intended line. Second, forgetting to save after backing out of the settings screen; on iPhone, the toggle must show green, and on Android you must tap Turn on or Enable. Third, looking in the wrong menu on newer iPhones — the Apps folder inside Settings is easy to skip if you are used to the older direct Phone entry.
When to Choose Settings vs. Star Codes
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Phone settings (iPhone or Android) | Visual menus, supports all four conditions, no codes to memorize | Path varies by device; some carriers hide the option |
| Star codes (\*21\*#, \*72, etc.) | Works on any phone, instant activation, no menu hunting | Unconditional only on most carriers; code varies by carrier |
Check Your Call Forwarding Status Before You Walk Away
Once forwarding is set, test it. Use another phone or ask a friend to call your line. If it rings at the destination number, everything worked. If it rings your original phone instead, double-check that you saved the setting and that the destination number is correct. On Dual SIM phones, also confirm that you selected the right line — forwarding one SIM while the other stays live is a common oversight that leaves you picking up half your calls and wondering why the other half vanished.
Call forwarding is not complex, but the edge cases catch people: carrier charges, SIM selection, and the difference between unconditional and conditional codes. Pick the method that matches your situation — settings for full control, star codes for speed — and test it before you trust it.
References & Sources
- Apple. “Set up call forwarding on iPhone.” Official step-by-step for iOS call forwarding, including Dual SIM instructions.
- Google Help. “How to forward calls on Android” Community thread with generic Android forwarding path.
- Samsung. “How to enable or disable the call forwarding feature in your Samsung Galaxy smartphone.” Samsung official support page for call forwarding on Galaxy devices.
- Quo. “How to set up call forwarding on iPhone.” Covers star codes and carrier caveats for iPhone forwarding.
- Asurion. “How to forward calls on your smartphone.” Guide detailing AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon star codes.
- Jefferson University. “Conditional Forwarding” Tip sheet showing conditional forwarding codes, including \*67\* example.