How do I forward my calls to another number?

On Verizon, Spectrum, and landlines, dial *72 followed by the destination number. On AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM wireless carriers, dial **21* #. Press call (include the trailing # on GSM lines) and wait for confirmation.

How do I forward only the calls I miss?

Use conditional forwarding: *71 followed by the number on star-code carriers, or **61* # on GSM wireless. Your phone still rings, and only busy or unanswered calls get redirected.

How do I stop forwarding my calls?

Dial *73 on star-code carriers (Verizon, Spectrum, landlines) or ##21# on GSM wireless (AT&T, T-Mobile). Dial from the same line that has forwarding active and wait for the confirmation.

Can I forward calls to a number in another area code or country?

Usually yes — enter the full destination number including the country code if needed. Note that forwarded calls are billed to your line as an outbound call to that destination, so long-distance or international forwarding may incur charges.

Does the caller know their call was forwarded?

No. The caller just reaches whoever answers at the destination number — there's no indication the call was redirected.

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How to forward calls to another number

Redirect your incoming calls to a different phone — your cell, a colleague, or an answering service — with one code. Here's the exact code for your line.

Forwarding your calls to another number tells your carrier to redirect incoming calls to a destination you choose — your other phone, a teammate, or an answering service. The exact code depends on your carrier: North-American landline and cable-VoIP lines use star codes like *72, while GSM wireless carriers use USSD codes like **21*<number>#. This guide gives you both, step by step, plus how to cancel.

Forward to another number — codes you need

*72 + number
Forward every call (star-code carriers)
Verizon, Spectrum, Cox, landlines. Dial *72, then the destination number.
**21*number#
Forward every call (GSM wireless)
AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, Mint and most GSM lines. Press call after the #.
*73 / ##21#
Cancel forwarding
*73 on star-code carriers, ##21# on GSM wireless.

Two code families: star codes vs USSD

Which code you dial depends on your line type:

Line type	Forward every call	Forward only missed	Cancel
Verizon, Spectrum, Cox, landline, cable VoIP	`*72<number>`	`*71<number>`	`*73`
AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, Mint, GSM wireless	`*21<number>#`	`*61<number>#`	`##21#`

The pattern: star-code carriers use *72 / *71 / *73; GSM wireless carriers use the USSD format **21*<number># / **61*<number># / ##21#. Google Voice doesn't use codes — set forwarding at voice.google.com → Settings → Calls.

Step by step

Pick up the phone whose number you want to forward — codes only affect the line you dial from.
Dial the code for your carrier, followed by the destination number with no spaces or dashes. Example (Verizon): *7218005551234. Example (AT&T): **21*18005551234#.
Press the call/send button. On GSM lines, include the trailing # before pressing call.
Wait for confirmation — a stutter tone on star-code carriers, or a confirmation text on GSM wireless. Hang up only after it confirms.

Forward every call vs only the ones you miss

*72 / **21* forward *every* call — your phone won't ring at all. Use this when you'll be fully unavailable and want every call to go to the other number.

*71 / **61* forward only the calls you *don't* answer — busy, no answer, or unreachable. Your phone still rings, so you can pick up when you're free, and only the rest get redirected. This is the better choice for day-to-day business use.

How to cancel forwarding

Dial *73 (star-code carriers) or ##21# (GSM wireless) from the same line that has forwarding active, and wait for the confirmation. Calls ring your phone normally again.

If you set both unconditional and conditional forwarding, run the matching cancel for each (##21# and ##61# on GSM). Full walkthrough: how to cancel call forwarding.

Forward to an AI that actually answers

The destination number doesn't have to be another phone you'll also miss. Forward your line to RingOwl and the AI answers every redirected call 24/7 — it books appointments straight into your calendar, captures the caller's details, and texts you a summary. One forwarding code, and no call goes unanswered again.

Try the carrier code generator

Pick your carrier and condition — get the exact code to dial, with a copy button.

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Carrier

When should calls forward?

Forward to this number (your RingOwl number, your other line, etc.)

Code preview

Enter the destination number above and the dial code appears here.

FAQ

How do I forward my calls to another number?: On Verizon, Spectrum, and landlines, dial *72 followed by the destination number. On AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM wireless carriers, dial **21*<number>#. Press call (include the trailing # on GSM lines) and wait for confirmation.
How do I forward only the calls I miss?: Use conditional forwarding: *71 followed by the number on star-code carriers, or **61*<number># on GSM wireless. Your phone still rings, and only busy or unanswered calls get redirected.
How do I stop forwarding my calls?: Dial *73 on star-code carriers (Verizon, Spectrum, landlines) or ##21# on GSM wireless (AT&T, T-Mobile). Dial from the same line that has forwarding active and wait for the confirmation.
Can I forward calls to a number in another area code or country?: Usually yes — enter the full destination number including the country code if needed. Note that forwarded calls are billed to your line as an outbound call to that destination, so long-distance or international forwarding may incur charges.
Does the caller know their call was forwarded?: No. The caller just reaches whoever answers at the destination number — there's no indication the call was redirected.

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.

Start your free trial →