Start free trial
Guide

Updated November 4, 2026 · By A.R., RaheemAI

Call forwarding sends calls to your business number on to another phone or service, and your number stays the same. Below are the steps for common carriers, taken from each provider's own help pages. Where a provider doesn't publish a code we could confirm, we link to its help page instead of guessing.

All calls vs. conditional forwarding

  • Forward all calls (also called "always" or unconditional forwarding) sends calls away right away. Your phone doesn't ring. Use it when you're closed or out of the office.
  • Conditional forwarding sends a call on only when you don't answer, the line is busy, or the phone is off or out of range. Your phone rings first. Use it as a backup during business hours.
  • Use a 10-digit US number as the destination. Verizon and AT&T say forwarding to international numbers isn't available.
  • Check your plan. AT&T says forwarded calls are billed for the length of the call and may have long-distance charges. Other carriers have their own rules, so check yours.

Replace 5555551234 in the examples below with your destination number.

Verizon Wireless

  • Forward all calls: dial *72 plus the 10-digit number, for example *72 555 555 1234, and press Call. Listen for the beeps and wait for the call to end.
  • Forward when busy or unanswered: dial *71 plus the 10-digit number. Verizon says the call forwards after 3 to 6 rings.
  • Turn forwarding off: dial *73.

Sources: Verizon: Turn call forwarding on from device and Verizon: Turn call forwarding off. Verizon business phone services such as Business Digital Voice and One Talk use different codes, so follow Verizon Business Digital Voice phone codes or your service's guide.

AT&T Wireless

AT&T only lets you change wireless forwarding from the phone itself, not online. For conditional forwarding, enter each code on its own, press Call, wait for the confirmation, hang up and enter the next:

  • If unanswered: *61*5555551234#
  • If unreachable: *62*5555551234#
  • If busy: *67*5555551234#
  • To turn them off: ##61#, ##62# and ##67#

To forward all calls, use the call forwarding setting on your phone. AT&T has device tutorials for each model. AT&T also notes that forwarding overrides your wireless voicemail, and that callers get a busy signal if the destination is busy. Sources: AT&T: Use call forwarding and Google Voice Help, which lists AT&T's conditional codes.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile codes include a 1 before the area code.

  • Forward all calls: **21*15555551234#. Turn off with ##21#.
  • If no reply: **61*15555551234#. Turn off with ##61#.
  • If busy: **67*15555551234#. Turn off with ##67#.
  • If not reachable: **62*15555551234#. Turn off with ##62#.
  • Reset all forwarding: ##004#.

T-Mobile also lets you set the no-reply delay from 5 to 30 seconds. Source: T-Mobile: Self-service & short codes.

Comcast Business

Comcast's Business VoiceEdge quick reference guide lists these codes, dialed from the desk phone:

  • Forward all calls: *72, then the number. Turn off with *73.
  • Forward when not answered: *92, then the number. Turn off with *93.
  • Forward when busy: *90, then the number. Turn off with *91.

Comcast's guide also says you can manage forwarding in your online VoiceEdge account. Other Comcast Business Voice plans can differ, so check Comcast Business voice support for your service. Source: Comcast Business VoiceEdge quick reference guide (PDF).

Optimum Business

  • Forward all calls: dial *72, listen for the stutter dial tone, then dial the destination number. Optimum says the business line won't ring for answering while this is on.
  • Turn it off: dial *73. You'll hear 3 beeps and a dial tone.
  • Busy or no-answer forwarding: sign in to the Optimum Business Account Center, open the Phone tab, click Actions next to the number, choose Edit Number Features, pick the forwarding type and save.

Source: Optimum: Call forwarding activation & deactivation. Optimum's Business Hosted Voice service has its own portal, so see its user guide (PDF).

Google Voice

Google Voice doesn't use star codes. On a computer, go to voice.google.com, open Settings, then Calls. Under Call forwarding, turn on the linked numbers that should ring. You can link up to 6 numbers, and each one needs a verification code. For forwarding by caller, use Custom call forwarding in the same section.

One limit to know: Google says forwarding calls from a personal Google Voice number to an automated system isn't supported, and it points businesses to Google Workspace for that. With Google Voice for Google Workspace, an admin can forward unanswered ring group calls in the Admin console. Sources: Google Voice Help: Set up your phone, Google Voice Help: Custom call forwarding and Google Workspace Admin Help: Ring groups.

Test it

  1. Call your business number from a different phone and let it ring. It should forward after the ring delay, or right away if you forward all calls.
  2. For busy forwarding, call while you're already on another call.
  3. If it doesn't forward, re-enter the code. A mistyped digit is a common cause.
  4. Remember to turn off all-calls forwarding when you want your phone to ring again.

If you use RaheemAI, we give you the number to forward to during setup and test it with you. Ava, our AI receptionist, answers the calls you forward and tells callers she's an AI.

Common questions

What is the difference between call forwarding and conditional call forwarding?

Call forwarding (all calls) sends calls away right away, so your phone doesn't ring. Conditional forwarding sends a call on only if you don't answer, are busy, or your phone is off, so your phone rings first.

Will I lose my number if I forward calls?

No. Forwarding keeps your number with your current carrier. Callers dial the same number they always have.

How do I turn off call forwarding on Verizon?

Dial *73 from the phone, according to Verizon's help page.

Sources

Carrier codes and menus change, and business phone plans can use different codes from consumer plans. If a step doesn't match what you see, follow your provider's current help page linked above. Checked November 4, 2026. This guide is general information, not technical advice for your specific setup.

Hear Ava for yourself.

Talk to Ava, our live demo AI receptionist, right from your browser. The demo is set up for a sample real estate office, so you can hear how she sounds, how she asks questions and how she tells callers she's an AI. Then we'll set her up for your business. Demo calls are recorded.

Talk to AvaStart free trial

Or call +1 551-212-8357

Keep reading

Related guides

How to forward calls when you're busy or can't answer

Conditional forwarding step by step, including RingCentral and Spectrum Business.

Read the guide →

New Jersey area codes

Which parts of New Jersey use each area code, and how to keep your local number.

Read the guide →

Google Voice alternatives for small businesses

The main types of business phone options and what to ask before you switch.

Read the guide →