What Is Call Forwarding and What Does It Mean?

What call forwarding means

Call forwarding is a phone feature that redirects incoming calls from your number to a different number. People still dial your usual number, and the call rings somewhere else, such as another mobile phone, a landline, a work line or an internet calling service. Your number stays the same, and you can switch forwarding off when you no longer need it.

How call forwarding works

On most mobile and landline services, forwarding is handled by the carrier's network rather than by the handset. Your phone or a dial code only sends the instruction. The network then applies the rule to incoming calls, which is why some forwarding types still work when your phone is switched off or has no signal.

Most services offer forwarding in these forms, although the exact names vary:

• Unconditional forwarding: every incoming call goes straight to the other number, and your phone does not ring.
• Forward when busy: calls are redirected only when you are already on a call or decline the call.
• Forward when unanswered: calls are redirected after the phone rings for a set time without being answered.
• Forward when unreachable: calls are redirected when the phone is off, in airplane mode or out of coverage.

Some details depend on your carrier, plan, line type and device. These include which forwarding types are available, how long the phone rings before an unanswered call is forwarded, whether international destinations are allowed and whether forwarded calls cost extra. Internet calling services and business phone systems usually manage forwarding rules in the account settings for that service, not through the mobile network.

How to set up call forwarding

You can usually turn on call forwarding in one of three ways: in the call settings of your phone app, by dialing a carrier code, or in your carrier's account tools. The general process is the same for each:

• Decide whether you want to forward all calls or only calls that are busy, unanswered or unreachable.
• Have the full destination number ready, including the area code, and check that it is correct.
• Turn forwarding on in your phone's call settings, with the carrier's code, or in your carrier account.
• Test it by calling your number from another phone and confirming that the call reaches the destination.
• Turn forwarding off when you no longer need it, and test again to confirm that calls ring on your phone.

Many mobile networks based on the GSM standard accept standard dial codes. Typically, 21 followed by the destination number and # forwards all calls, and #21# cancels it. The conditional versions usually use 67 for busy, 61 for no answer and 62 for unreachable in the same pattern. Support for these codes depends on the carrier and the line, so check your carrier's instructions before relying on them.

Call forwarding on AT&T

The setup method for AT&T call forwarding depends on the kind of line you have. Mobile lines, home phone service and business phone systems are managed differently. For a wireless line, try your phone's call forwarding setting or the GSM-style codes described above. For a home or business line, follow the method AT&T provides for that service. In every case, check your AT&T account or AT&T support for the method that applies to your plan. Also find out whether forwarded calls use plan minutes and whether any forwarding destinations are restricted.

When call forwarding is useful

• Weak signal at home or while traveling: forward unreachable or unanswered calls to a landline or another phone that has coverage.
• Working at a computer: forward calls to an internet calling number so you can answer on a headset or laptop microphone. Check your audio input and output devices before relying on this.
• Shared or on-call lines: forward one number to whoever is covering it, and change the destination at shift handover.
• Phone repair or replacement: temporarily forward all calls to another device so you do not miss calls while the phone is unavailable.

Use unconditional forwarding when you will not have the original phone with you. Conditional forwarding is the better choice when you want to answer on your own phone first and use the other number as a backup. On many mobile networks, voicemail itself works through conditional forwarding. If you replace the busy, unanswered or unreachable rule with another number, calls may stop going to your voicemail until you restore the original setting.

Limits and related questions

• Call forwarding is different from call transfer. Forwarding redirects a call before you answer. Transfer moves a call that is already in progress.
• Forwarding usually applies only to voice calls. Text messages and app-based calls generally follow their own settings.
• What the destination phone shows as caller ID depends on the carriers involved, so it may not always display the original caller.
• Forwarded calls can count against your plan or add charges, especially to international or premium destinations. Check with your provider before using it for long periods.
• Anyone who controls the destination number receives your calls. Double-check the number, and if you find forwarding turned on that you did not set up, turn it off and contact your carrier.
• Some services block forwarding chains or loops between numbers, so forwarding to a number that is itself forwarded may not work.

If forwarding does not turn on, or calls still ring on your phone, first check that your plan includes the feature and that you entered the full destination number. Then confirm which method your carrier supports for your line type. Carriers can change availability, codes and charges, so their current instructions are the reliable source for your account.