Learn how to forward calls from an iPhone, an Andriod phone, or a landline to a different phone number. That way, you can set up call forwarding on your landline, for example, to automatically transfer an incoming call to your mobile device, so you won’t miss important calls when you’re not home. Or, set up call forwarding on your smartphone and transfer calls to any landline or mobile phone number.

What to Know

  • From your landline, dial *72 (or *21 if your carrier is T-Mobile or AT&T), wait for a prompt, then enter the ten-digit number and press #.On Android, open the Phone app and go to Menu (the three dots) > Settings > Calls > Call Forwarding.On iOS, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If you don’t see this option, contact your carrier.

How to Forward Calls From Your Landline

Follow these steps to set up call forwarding on your landline.

  • Pick up a phone that’s connected to the landline and dial *72.
  • If your carrier is T-Mobile or AT&T, dial *21 instead of *72.
  • Wait for a beep or a prompt requesting you to enter a phone number.
  • Enter the ten digits, starting with the area code, of the phone number you would like to forward your calls.
  • Press the # key after you enter the phone number.
  • Wait for the confirmation. This can be a beep or a chime sound.
  • Hang up the phone and test.

How to Forward Calls on Android

Follow these steps to set up call forwarding on an Android device.

Pick up a phone that’s connected to the landline and dial *72.

If your carrier is T-Mobile or AT&T, dial *21 instead of *72.

Wait for a beep or a prompt requesting you to enter a phone number.

Enter the ten digits, starting with the area code, of the phone number you would like to forward your calls.

Press the # key after you enter the phone number.

Wait for the confirmation. This can be a beep or a chime sound.

Hang up the phone and test.

  • Open the Phone application.
  • Select the Menu icon in the upper-right corner.
  • Select the Settings option from the menu.
  • Older versions of Android may say Call Settings instead of Settings.
  • Select Calls from the menu.
  • Select Call Forwarding.
  • Make a selection from one of the following options:
  • Always forward: All calls are forwarded.Forward when busy: Calls are forwarded when you are currently on another call.Forward when unanswered: Calls are forwarded when you don’t answer the call.Forward when unreached: Calls are forwarded when your phone is off, in airplane mode, or has no signal.
  • Enter the phone number to which you would like to forward your calls.
  • Select Enable or OK.

How to Forward Calls on iPhone

Follow these steps to set up call forwarding on an iOS device.

Open the Phone application.

Select the Menu icon in the upper-right corner.

Select the Settings option from the menu.

Older versions of Android may say Call Settings instead of Settings.

Select Calls from the menu.

Select Call Forwarding.

Make a selection from one of the following options:

  • Always forward: All calls are forwarded.Forward when busy: Calls are forwarded when you are currently on another call.Forward when unanswered: Calls are forwarded when you don’t answer the call.Forward when unreached: Calls are forwarded when your phone is off, in airplane mode, or has no signal.

Enter the phone number to which you would like to forward your calls.

Select Enable or OK.

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Select Phone > Call Forwarding.
  • If you don’t see this option, your mobile carrier doesn’t permit call forwarding on your account. Contact your carrier to add the service.
  • Turn on Call Forwarding.
  • Select Forward To.
  • Enter the phone number to which you would like to forward your calls.

Open the Settings app.

Select Phone > Call Forwarding.

If you don’t see this option, your mobile carrier doesn’t permit call forwarding on your account. Contact your carrier to add the service.

Turn on Call Forwarding.

Select Forward To.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day