Call forwarding on Android is one of those features you may ignore for yearsright up until your phone battery dies, your work number starts ringing during dinner, or you need calls sent to a teammate while you enjoy a rare moment of silence. The good news: forwarding calls on Android is usually simple. The slightly annoying news: the exact path depends on your phone model, Android version, carrier, and whether you use Google Phone, Samsung Phone, Google Fi, Google Voice, or another calling app.
This guide explains how to forward calls on Android, how call divert settings work, what “Always forward” and “Forward when unanswered” really mean, and what to do when the option disappears like a sock in the laundry. Whether you use a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, OnePlus, or another Android phone, the goal is the same: send incoming calls to another phone number without missing important conversations.
What Is Call Forwarding on Android?
Call forwarding, also called call diverting, redirects incoming voice calls from your Android phone number to another number. That second number can be a mobile phone, landline, office phone, answering service, or business line, depending on your carrier’s rules. It does not usually forward text messages, app notifications, WhatsApp calls, or RCS chats. Think of it as a postal forwarding addressbut only for old-fashioned voice calls.
There are two main ways Android users set it up: through the Phone app settings or by dialing carrier codes. Some services, such as Google Fi and Google Voice, manage forwarding through their own app or website instead of the standard Android call settings.
Before You Forward Calls: What You Need
Before you start tapping through settings, make sure you have a few basics ready. You need an active voice-capable mobile plan, a phone number where calls should be sent, and access to your Android phone. Some carriers require you to be connected to their network when turning call forwarding on or off. If you are already roaming internationally or your phone has no signal, you may not be able to activate forwarding until you reconnect.
Also, use the full 10-digit U.S. phone number, including the area code. For example, enter 2125550198, not just 5550198. If you are forwarding calls for work, test the setup with another phone before announcing, “I am fully reachable!” to your boss. Technology enjoys dramatic irony.
How to Forward Calls on Android Using the Phone App
The easiest method is usually inside the Android Phone app. The menu names vary, but the general path is similar across many devices.
General Android Steps
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Look for Calling accounts, Calls, Supplementary services, or Call settings.
- Choose your SIM or carrier if your phone has dual SIM support.
- Tap Call forwarding.
- Select the forwarding type you want.
- Enter the number where calls should be sent.
- Tap Turn on, Enable, or OK.
If your phone asks you to choose between Voice calls and Video calls, choose Voice calls. Standard call forwarding applies to regular mobile voice calls.
How to Forward Calls on Google Pixel or Google Phone
On many Google Pixel phones and devices using the Google Phone app, the setting is usually found under Calling accounts. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, tap Calling accounts, choose your carrier or SIM, and then tap Call forwarding. From there, pick the forwarding condition and enter the destination number.
If you do not see the option, your carrier may hide or control it. In that case, try carrier codes or contact your wireless provider. Android can show the door, but the carrier often holds the key.
How to Forward Calls on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy phones often place call forwarding under Supplementary services. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, choose Settings, scroll to Supplementary services, then select Call forwarding. Choose the forwarding option, enter the forwarding number, and tap Enable.
On some Galaxy models, you may see More settings instead of Supplementary services. If you use two SIM cards, make sure you choose the correct SIM before changing the forwarding rules. Otherwise, you may forward your personal calls when you meant to forward your work line. That is how “quick settings change” becomes “why is my dentist calling the office?”
Understanding Android Call Forwarding Options
Android call forwarding is not just one switch. Most phones offer several options, and each one solves a different problem.
Always Forward
Always forward sends every incoming call to another number immediately. Your Android phone usually will not ring. This is useful when you are on vacation, using a temporary phone, routing calls to a business line, or stepping away from your device for a long period.
Forward When Busy
Forward when busy sends calls to another number when you are already on a call. This can be helpful for small businesses, sales teams, or anyone who does not want callers to hit a busy signal or voicemail.
Forward When Unanswered
Forward when unanswered lets your phone ring first. If you do not answer after a certain amount of time, the call is sent to the number you selected. This is one of the most practical options because it gives you first chance to answer without abandoning callers when you are unavailable.
Forward When Unreachable
Forward when unreachable activates when your phone is off, in airplane mode, out of battery, or outside signal coverage. It is a good backup for travelers, field workers, or anyone whose phone battery lives dangerously close to 2%.
How to Forward Calls Using Carrier Codes
If the Android settings menu does not show call forwarding, carrier codes may work. These are short dialing commands entered in the Phone app. They are handled by your mobile network, not by Android alone.
Open the Phone app, type the code exactly, then press the call button. Wait for a confirmation tone, message, or network response.
| Carrier or Code Type | Turn On | Turn Off | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon all-call forwarding | *72 + 10-digit number | *73 | Forwarding all calls immediately |
| Verizon unanswered calls | *71 + 10-digit number | *73 or disable through settings | Forwarding only calls you do not answer |
| T-Mobile unconditional forwarding | **21*1 + number + # | ##21# | Forwarding all calls |
| T-Mobile no-reply forwarding | **61*1 + number + # | ##61# | Forwarding unanswered calls |
| T-Mobile unreachable forwarding | **62*1 + number + # | ##62# | Forwarding when phone is off or out of signal |
| T-Mobile busy forwarding | **67*1 + number + # | ##67# | Forwarding when line is busy |
| General GSM reset | Not applicable | ##002# or ##004# on supported networks | Clearing forwarding rules |
AT&T wireless customers are generally directed to manage call forwarding from the wireless phone itself or through device-specific support instructions. If a code does not work, do not keep hammering random symbols into the dialer like you are trying to unlock a submarine. Check your carrier’s support page or call customer service.
How to Turn Off Call Forwarding on Android
To disable call forwarding from the Phone app, return to the same menu where you enabled it. Open Phone, go to Settings, find Calling accounts or Supplementary services, tap Call forwarding, choose the active forwarding option, and select Disable or Turn off.
If you used a carrier code, use the matching cancellation code. For example, Verizon users commonly dial *73 to turn off call forwarding. T-Mobile users can use specific cancellation codes such as ##21#, ##61#, ##62#, or ##67#, depending on the forwarding type. Some networks also support reset codes like ##002# or ##004#.
Using Google Fi or Google Voice for Call Forwarding
Google Fi handles call forwarding differently from many standard carriers. Instead of changing forwarding inside Android’s device settings, Google Fi users typically manage it through the Google Fi app or website. You can choose preferences such as not forwarding, ringing multiple numbers, or always forwarding to one verified number.
Google Voice is also separate from regular Android carrier forwarding. It can route calls from your Google Voice number to linked numbers and can apply custom rules for certain contacts. For example, you might send family calls to your personal phone, client calls to your work phone, and unknown callers to voicemail. That is not just call forwarding; that is call traffic control with a velvet rope.
Common Problems and Fixes
The Call Forwarding Option Is Missing
If you cannot find call forwarding, search your phone settings for “call forwarding,” “calling accounts,” or “supplementary services.” If nothing appears, your carrier may not expose the feature through the device menu. Try carrier codes or contact support.
The Forwarded Number Does Not Work
Make sure the destination number is active, voice-capable, and entered with the full area code. Some carriers do not allow forwarding to international numbers, premium-rate numbers, or invalid short codes.
Calls Still Go to Voicemail
This can happen when conditional forwarding is not configured correctly. Check each forwarding type: busy, unanswered, unreachable, and always forward. If more than one rule is active, turn them off and set up only the one you need.
Forwarding Works, But Callers Hear a Busy Tone
A busy tone often means the forwarding number was entered incorrectly or the network rejected the destination. Delete the setting and enter the forwarding number again carefully. Include the area code and avoid spaces or extra symbols unless the carrier code specifically requires them.
You Have Dual SIM Confusion
Dual SIM phones can forward calls separately for each number. If your personal SIM and business SIM are both active, check that you are editing the correct calling account. A tiny SIM menu mistake can turn into a very confusing afternoon.
Security and Privacy Tips
Call forwarding is convenient, but it should be used carefully. Never forward calls to a number you do not control. If you suddenly stop receiving calls, check whether forwarding was turned on without your knowledge. This is especially important if your phone was borrowed, lost, repaired, or handled by someone else.
For business numbers, document who controls the forwarding destination. For personal numbers, review forwarding settings after changing carriers, swapping SIM cards, or resetting your phone. And if you receive security codes by voice call, remember that forwarded calls may send those codes to the forwarding destination.
Best Uses for Android Call Forwarding
Call forwarding is useful for more than vacations. Small business owners can forward after-hours calls to an answering service. Freelancers can send work calls to a virtual receptionist while keeping their personal number private. Parents can temporarily route calls to a spouse during school pickup. Travelers can forward calls before leaving the country. Remote workers can send missed calls to a desk phone or team line.
The trick is choosing the right forwarding type. Use Always forward when you do not want the Android phone to ring at all. Use Forward when unanswered when you want a backup. Use Forward when unreachable for dead-battery emergencies. Use Forward when busy if you often receive calls while already talking.
Real-World Experience: What Call Forwarding Feels Like in Daily Use
In everyday life, forwarding calls on Android feels less like a technical feature and more like a small personal assistant hiding inside your phone. The first time you use it, you may expect something dramatic to happen: flashing lights, a robot voice, perhaps a tiny parade. Instead, your phone quietly tells the network, “Send my calls over there now.” It is boring in the best possible way.
One common experience is the workday handoff. Imagine you run a small repair service. During business hours, calls come to your Android phone. At 6 p.m., you forward unanswered calls to an answering service. Customers still reach a human, you still get the message, and dinner is no longer interrupted by someone asking whether you fix refrigerators from 1987. That is a quality-of-life upgrade.
Another practical example is travel. Before a flight, you can forward important calls to a colleague or family member. If your phone is off, out of service, or hiding in airplane mode like a turtle in its shell, calls can still reach someone. The key is setting forwarding before you lose network access. Many people learn this the hard way, usually while standing in an airport with one bar of signal and a boarding announcement yelling in the background.
Call forwarding is also helpful when switching phones. If your main Android device is being repaired, you can forward calls to a backup phone. This is especially useful when waiting for delivery drivers, doctors, schools, clients, or anyone who still believes voice calls are the fastest way to communicate. And honestly, sometimes they are right.
There are a few lessons users quickly learn. First, always test the forwarding number. Call your Android phone from another device and confirm the call lands where expected. Second, write down how you turned forwarding on. If you used a carrier code, save the cancellation code too. Future you will be grateful. Third, do not forget to turn it off. Nothing creates modern confusion quite like wondering why your phone has been peaceful all morning, only to discover every call has been ringing your office desk since yesterday.
The best experience comes from using call forwarding intentionally. It should not be a mysterious setting you touch once and fear forever. It should be part of your communication toolkit, like Do Not Disturb, voicemail greetings, spam blocking, and quick text replies. When used well, Android call forwarding helps you stay reachable without being chained to one device. It gives you flexibility, protects your time, and keeps important calls from vanishing into the digital fog.
Conclusion
Learning how to forward calls on Android is simple once you understand where the feature lives and who controls it. Most users can start in the Phone app under Settings, then look for Calling accounts, Call forwarding, or Supplementary services. Samsung Galaxy users often find the option under Supplementary services, while Pixel and Google Phone users usually check Calling accounts. If the menu is missing, carrier codes can often do the job.
For the smoothest setup, use the full forwarding number, choose the correct forwarding condition, test it, and save the cancellation steps. Call forwarding is not flashy, but it is incredibly useful. It keeps business moving, protects personal time, and rescues calls when your Android phone is busy, unanswered, unreachable, or simply taking a battery nap.
Note: Menu names, carrier codes, restrictions, and availability can vary by Android version, phone model, SIM type, and wireless carrier. Always test call forwarding after setup and check your carrier’s current support instructions if a code or menu path does not work.
