How to forward calls on T-Mobile
Three GSM USSD codes. Dial, press send, done — same pattern AT&T, Cricket, and Mint Mobile use.
T-Mobile — codes you need
**21*YOUR-NUMBER#
Forward every call
Unconditional. Every incoming call routes to the destination immediately.
**61*YOUR-NUMBER#
Forward when busy or unanswered
Conditional. You answer when you can; the destination catches the rest.
##21#
Cancel forwarding
Dial from the same line. Cancels unconditional forwarding.
The three T-Mobile forwarding codes
`21*<number>#** forwards every call (unconditional). ****61*<number>#** forwards only when your line is busy or doesn't answer (conditional). **##21#** cancels unconditional forwarding; **##61#`** cancels conditional specifically.
The ** prefix and # suffix matter — these are USSD codes, not regular star codes. The full string is what T-Mobile's network recognizes as a forwarding command. Without the #, your phone just dials a weird-looking number.
Step by step — set up T-Mobile forwarding
- Pick up the T-Mobile phone you want to forward.
- Dial the USSD code followed by the destination number and a
#. Example:**21*18005551234#forwards every call to 1 (800) 555-1234. - Press the green call button (must be the call button — not enter — so the phone treats it as a USSD command).
- T-Mobile responds with a short text confirming forwarding is active (usually within a minute).
No confirmation text within a minute? The code was probably treated as a regular call. Re-check the leading **, the trailing #, and that you pressed the call button.
Conditional vs unconditional on T-Mobile
Conditional (**61*) is what most small businesses want. Your phone rings normally — you can still answer easy calls yourself. Only the ones you don't pick up (busy, no answer in ~25 seconds, phone unreachable) get forwarded.
Unconditional (**21*) is the right pick when you'll be entirely unreachable for a stretch (vacation, deep-work block, off-hours handoff). Every call routes to the destination immediately; your phone stays silent.
Pair conditional forwarding with an AI answering service like RingOwl and you keep customer-direct contact for calls you can take, with a 24/7 safety net for everything else.
Cancelling T-Mobile forwarding
Dial `##21#` to cancel unconditional. Dial `##61#` to cancel conditional specifically. Don't remember which you set? Dial both — they no-op if nothing's active. `##002#` wipes every forwarding rule at once if you want a clean slate.
T-Mobile sends a confirmation text after each cancel. No text? Your account-level forwarding settings may have it pinned on — log in at my.t-mobile.com → your line → Calls → Call Forwarding and disable there.
T-Mobile MVNOs use the same codes
Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Ultra Mobile, US Mobile (on the T-Mobile network), and Google Fi (when routed to T-Mobile) all use the same **21* / **61* / ##21# pattern. If you're on a T-Mobile-network MVNO, the codes above work without modification.
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FAQ
- What is **21* on T-Mobile?
- It's the GSM USSD code for unconditional call forwarding —
**21*<destination-number>#tells T-Mobile to forward every incoming call to the destination immediately. Press the green call button after dialing (not enter) so it's treated as a USSD command. - Why didn't my T-Mobile forwarding code work?
- Three usual suspects: (1) you forgot the trailing
#— without it, the phone places a regular call to a weird-looking number; (2) you pressed enter instead of the green call button; (3) you're on a T-Mobile landline or business VoIP line, where star codes (*72/*71/*73) may apply instead. - Does T-Mobile support conditional forwarding?
- Yes —
**61*<destination-number>#forwards calls only when your line is busy or doesn't answer in about 25 seconds. Cancel with##61#. This is what most small businesses use day-to-day. - How do I cancel T-Mobile call forwarding?
- Dial
##21#to cancel unconditional,##61#for conditional, or##002#to cancel every forwarding rule at once. Press the call button. T-Mobile sends a confirmation text within a minute. - Do these codes work on T-Mobile MVNOs like Mint Mobile?
- Yes — Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Ultra Mobile, US Mobile on T-Mobile, and Google Fi on T-Mobile all use the same
**21*/**61*/##21#codes. Same network, same USSD pattern.
Forward your line to an AI that books
RingOwl is a 24/7 AI answering service for small businesses. Forward your line with the codes above and the AI picks up every call, books appointments straight into your calendar, and texts you a summary. Free 7-day trial, no credit card.
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