What is the code to forward calls?

On most US and Canadian carriers (Verizon, Spectrum, Xfinity, landline/VoIP), dial *72 followed by the destination number to forward every call, *71 to forward only busy/unanswered calls, and *73 to cancel. AT&T and T-Mobile use **21* to forward all, **61* for conditional, and ##21# to cancel. Use the generator above to get the exact code for your carrier.

How do I forward calls without dialing a code?

Use your phone's settings. On iPhone: Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding. On Android/Samsung: Phone app → menu → Settings → Calls → Call forwarding. Toggle it on and enter the destination number. The settings toggle does exactly the same thing as the star codes.

What's the difference between *72 and *71?

*72 forwards every call immediately — your phone never rings. *71 only forwards when your line is busy or doesn't answer in about four rings, so you can still pick up directly when you're free. Most small businesses want *71.

Will I be charged for forwarded calls?

Forwarded calls are billed to your line the same as a normal outbound call from that line to the destination. On unlimited plans this is usually included; on metered plans it counts against your minutes. Check your specific carrier plan if you're unsure.

Why isn't my call forwarding working?

Three usual causes: (1) you dialed from a different line than the one you're forwarding — codes only affect the line they're dialed from; (2) forwarding is disabled at the account level — check your carrier's calling features; or (3) the destination number had spaces, dashes, or a country code — strip it to a plain 10-digit US number.

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How to forward calls

Two ways to do it — your phone's settings or a dial code — and three codes that cover every carrier. Here's the fastest path for your phone.

Call forwarding sends incoming calls from your number to another number — a different phone, a teammate, or an answering service that picks up when you can't. You can set it up two ways: from your phone's built-in settings menu, or by dialing a short star code straight from the line you want to forward. This guide covers both, the three codes that work on almost every US and Canadian carrier, and how to pick which calls to forward. Use the generator below to get the exact code for your carrier, and the links throughout for step-by-step instructions on your specific phone.

The fastest way: three universal star codes

Most US and Canadian carriers use the same three North-American star codes, dialed straight from the phone whose number you want to forward — no app, no portal:

*72 — forward every call immediately. Your phone never rings; everything goes to the destination number. Dial *72 followed by the destination, e.g. *7218005551234, then press call and wait for the confirmation tone.
*71 — forward only when busy or unanswered. You still answer when you're free; calls you miss (busy, or no answer in ~4 rings) roll to the destination. This is the one most businesses want.
*73 — cancel forwarding. Dial it from the same line you set it on.

These work on Verizon, Spectrum, Xfinity, and most landline and VoIP lines. AT&T and T-Mobile use a slightly different format (**21* to forward all, **61* for conditional, ##21# to cancel). The generator below gives you the exact code for your carrier.

From your phone's settings (no codes)

If you'd rather not dial a code, every smartphone has a forwarding toggle built in:

iPhone: Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding → toggle on → enter the destination number. (Works on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile; Verizon and other CDMA lines use the star codes above instead.)
Android / Samsung: open the Phone app → ⋮ menu → Settings → Calls → Call forwarding → choose *Always forward* or a conditional option → enter the number.

The settings toggle and the star codes do the same thing — use whichever is faster on your phone. Full walkthroughs: forward calls on iPhone, on Android, and on Samsung.

Forward every call vs. only the ones you miss

The key decision is unconditional vs conditional forwarding.

Unconditional (*72) sends every call away — use it when you'll be unreachable for a stretch: vacation, a conference, or handing off to after-hours coverage.

Conditional (*71) only forwards when your line is busy or goes unanswered — you keep answering the calls you can take, and only the overflow forwards. This is the setup most small businesses want, because it pairs your own phone with a safety net: you handle what you can, and nothing else drops to voicemail. More detail: conditional vs unconditional forwarding.

How to turn call forwarding off

To cancel, dial *73 from the line that has forwarding active (AT&T/T-Mobile: ##21#), and wait for the confirmation tone. If you set up both *72 and *71, run the cancel code for each.

If calls still forward after cancelling, test by calling the line from another phone — and check whether forwarding is also toggled on in your phone's settings menu, since the two methods are independent. Full steps: how to cancel call forwarding.

Where should you forward your calls?

Forwarding only helps if something useful answers on the other end. The common destinations:

Another phone — your cell, a partner, or a teammate. Fine until that line is also busy.
Voicemail — better than a missed ring, but most callers hang up without leaving a message and many never call back.
An answering service — a person or an AI that actually picks up, answers questions, and books the appointment.

That last option is what closes the loop. Forward your line (conditional *71 is ideal) to RingOwl, and an AI receptionist answers every forwarded call in under a second, books appointments straight into your calendar, and texts you a summary — 24/7, for a flat monthly rate.

Try the carrier code generator

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

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FAQ

What is the code to forward calls?: On most US and Canadian carriers (Verizon, Spectrum, Xfinity, landline/VoIP), dial *72 followed by the destination number to forward every call, *71 to forward only busy/unanswered calls, and *73 to cancel. AT&T and T-Mobile use **21* to forward all, **61* for conditional, and ##21# to cancel. Use the generator above to get the exact code for your carrier.
How do I forward calls without dialing a code?: Use your phone's settings. On iPhone: Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding. On Android/Samsung: Phone app → menu → Settings → Calls → Call forwarding. Toggle it on and enter the destination number. The settings toggle does exactly the same thing as the star codes.
What's the difference between *72 and *71?: *72 forwards every call immediately — your phone never rings. *71 only forwards when your line is busy or doesn't answer in about four rings, so you can still pick up directly when you're free. Most small businesses want *71.
Will I be charged for forwarded calls?: Forwarded calls are billed to your line the same as a normal outbound call from that line to the destination. On unlimited plans this is usually included; on metered plans it counts against your minutes. Check your specific carrier plan if you're unsure.
Why isn't my call forwarding working?: Three usual causes: (1) you dialed from a different line than the one you're forwarding — codes only affect the line they're dialed from; (2) forwarding is disabled at the account level — check your carrier's calling features; or (3) the destination number had spaces, dashes, or a country code — strip it to a plain 10-digit US number.

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 →