Missed calls lose you business. Whether you're traveling, working after-hours, or just need calls routed to another phone, call forwarding makes sure important calls reach you. Learning how to turn on call forwarding takes just a few minutes.
Call forwarding is a phone feature that automatically sends your incoming calls to a different number. When someone calls your regular number, the call rings on whatever phone you choose instead. You can forward to a cell phone, landline, office phone, or answering service.
Call Forwarding to Your Answering Service?
To activate: Dial *72 from your phone, followed by the 10-digit forwarding number provided by Ambs Call Center, then press # or wait for a confirmation tone.
To deactivate: Dial *73. For specific carriers like Ooma, dial *72, then the number followed by #.
Call forwarding works in two different ways depending on your phone and carrier.
Some phones use phone settings. iPhones and many Android devices let you turn on call forwarding right in your settings menu. You pick the number and save it.
Some use your carrier network. Other times, you activate call forwarding by dialing a code (called a star code) that tells your carrier's network where to send calls. The setting lives on the carrier's system, not your phone.
Which method you use depends on your carrier plan and phone model. Check with your specific phone company to confirm these codes will work for you.
Take a moment to check these things before you set up call forwarding:
Features like call forwarding and voicemail-to-email help users work better, boosting productivity by around 18%.
iPhones make call forwarding easy if your carrier supports it.
That's it. All your calls now go to the number you entered.
Some carriers don't show the Call Forwarding option in iPhone settings. This happens with certain prepaid plans and some carriers outside the US.
If the option is missing:
Android phones vary by brand and carrier, but most follow a similar path.
Your exact menu names might say something slightly different. Samsung phones might say "Supplementary Services." Google Pixel phones might say "Calling Accounts." But the basic steps are the same.
Some Android devices and carriers don't show call forwarding in the Phone app settings.
Try these alternatives:
Some carriers use special dial codes (called star codes or GSM codes) to activate call forwarding. These codes can vary by carrier and plan.
We're not listing specific codes here because they change, and using the wrong code can cause problems. Instead:
Some carriers restrict call forwarding on certain plans. If you can't find the option anywhere:
If you still have a traditional home phone (landline), you can usually forward calls using star codes from your handset.
Most landline providers use a similar process:
The exact codes vary by provider. CenturyLink, Brightspeed, AT&T landline, and other providers each have their own codes.
Contact your home phone provider for specific instructions and pricing.
Call forwarding isn't just one thing. There are different types for different situations.
Every single call goes to the forwarding number. Your phone never rings. This is sometimes called "unconditional call forwarding."
Best for: Vacations, traveling, working from a different location, routing calls to an answering service.
Calls forward only when you're already on another call. If your line is free, your phone rings normally.
Best for: Making sure you don't miss important calls while talking to someone else.
Calls forward if you don't pick up after a certain number of rings. If you answer, the call connects normally.
Best for: After-hours backup, making sure someone can always reach you even if you can't answer right away.
Calls forward when your phone is off, out of service range, or has no signal.
Best for: Emergencies, traveling to areas with poor coverage, making sure calls get through even when your phone is dead.
These are called "conditional call forwarding" options because they only forward calls under certain conditions.
Problem: You don't see call forwarding in your phone settings.
Fixes:
Problem: You set up call forwarding but calls still go to your voicemail instead.
Fixes:
Problem: Calls go to a different number than the one you entered.
Fixes:
Problem: You can't forward calls to a number in another country.
Fixes:
Problem: You have two phone lines or SIM cards and forwarding isn't working right.
Fixes:
Call forwarding is powerful. Use it carefully.
Before you enable call forwarding, verify the number is correct. One wrong digit sends your calls to a stranger.
Never forward your calls to someone else's phone without asking them first. They might not want your calls. They might answer and give wrong information. It's also a privacy issue.
If you run a business, write down your call forwarding plan:
This prevents confusion when someone is out sick or on vacation.
Call forwarding is a phone feature that automatically sends your incoming calls to a different phone number. Instead of ringing on your phone, calls ring on whatever number you choose. You can forward to a cell phone, landline, office phone, or answering service. It's useful when you're traveling, want after-hours coverage, or need calls answered by someone else.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. Turn the toggle ON, then tap "Forward To" and enter the phone number. The option might not appear if your carrier doesn't support it in phone settings. Some carriers require you to use their app or website instead.
On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the corner, go to Settings or Call Settings, find Call Forwarding, choose your forwarding type (Always Forward, When Busy, etc.), enter the number, and tap Enable. The exact menu names vary by phone brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, etc.).
Call forwarding might be missing because your carrier plan doesn't include it, you're on a prepaid plan that blocks certain features, or your carrier requires you to use their app or website instead of phone settings. Contact your carrier to ask if your plan supports call forwarding and how to activate it.
It depends on your carrier and plan. Many carriers include call forwarding for free on postpaid plans. Some charge per minute for forwarded calls. Prepaid plans might not offer it at all. Forwarding to international numbers usually costs extra. Check with your carrier about charges before activating call forwarding.
When you forward all calls, voicemail usually goes to the phone receiving the forwarded calls, not your original number. If you forward calls to someone else's phone, their voicemail greeting will play. If you only forward when busy or unanswered, your voicemail behavior depends on how long the forwarded number rings before its voicemail picks up.
Not with basic call forwarding. Standard call forwarding either forwards all calls or forwards based on conditions (busy, unanswered, unreachable). You can't pick and choose specific callers. Some advanced business phone systems and third-party apps offer selective call forwarding, but this isn't a standard carrier feature on most phones. Learn how to turn off call forwarding here.
Call forwarding helps. But it's still easy to miss calls when your phone is busy, you're in a meeting, or the person covering can't answer.
Every missed call is a lost opportunity. A customer who moves on to your competitor. A lead that goes cold. A problem that gets worse because nobody picked up.
That's where Ambs Call Center helps.
We answer every call professionally. We follow your instructions. We take detailed messages or transfer calls based on your rules. And we're available 24/7, not just when call forwarding routes to someone who might be available.
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