Call forwarding
How to forward your missed calls, carrier by carrier
Call forwarding sends the calls you don't pick up to another number. With While You Work, that other number is the local number we give you. You keep your own number, and you can turn forwarding off with one code.
In the codes below, replace number with your While You Work number, 10 digits, no spaces or dashes. Your setup page shows the exact code with your number already in it.
AT&T and T-Mobile
Full guides: AT&T call forwarding codes and T-Mobile call forwarding codes.
AT&T and T-Mobile use the standard GSM forwarding codes. Open the phone keypad, type the code and press call. You should see or hear a confirmation.
| What you want | Turn on | Turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Forward calls you don't answer, are busy on, or can't receive | **004*number# | ##004# |
| Forward only calls you don't answer | **61*number# | ##61# |
| Forward only when you are on another call | **67*number# | ##67# |
| Forward only when your phone is off or has no signal | **62*number# | ##62# |
| Forward every call | **21*number# | ##21# |
| Turn off all forwarding | n/a | ##002# |
Most owners want the first one, **004*number#. It covers no answer, busy and phone off in one go. If you are dialing from outside the US or your phone rejects the code, try adding a 1 before the 10 digits.
Prepaid plans, business lines and some older plans can handle forwarding differently. If a code does not work, check with your carrier.
Verizon
Full guide: Verizon call forwarding codes.
Verizon uses its own star codes. Dial the code followed by the 10-digit number and press call.
| What you want | Dial |
|---|---|
| Forward calls when you are busy or don't answer | *71 then your While You Work number |
| Forward every call | *72 then your While You Work number |
| Turn off forwarding | *73 |
Use *71 for missed calls. Verizon does not publish a separate code for busy only. On most plans forwarded calls use your plan minutes, and most US plans have unlimited minutes. You can also manage forwarding in the My Verizon app.
If your account is on an older or business plan, check with your carrier which codes apply.
Other carriers
Carriers that run on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks, such as many prepaid and low-cost brands, usually accept the GSM codes above. Carriers on the Verizon network usually use *71 and *72. That is not true for every brand, so check with your carrier before relying on it.
Cable company cell plans and landlines each have their own steps. Your carrier's support page or customer service can tell you the code for "conditional call forwarding" or "forward when no answer".
From your phone's settings
iPhone: Settings, then Phone (or Apps, then Phone on newer iOS), then Call Forwarding. On iPhone this setting forwards every call, so for missed calls only, use your carrier's code instead.
Android: open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then Calls or Supplementary services, then Call forwarding. Many Android phones let you choose "when unanswered", "when busy" and "when unreachable" separately. Menu names vary by phone maker.
Some carriers hide these menus. If you can't find them, use the codes above.
Fixes
If forwarding does not seem to work
- Wi-Fi Calling: on some plans, calls you miss while on Wi-Fi Calling are not forwarded. Turn it off and test again.
- Voicemail grabs the call first: if your voicemail picks up before forwarding starts, the forwarding code did not take. Dial it again and look for a confirmation message.
- Ring time: how long your phone rings before forwarding depends on your carrier. Some let you change it. Check with your carrier.
- Test it: ask someone to call your cell and let it ring. Your receptionist should answer, and your email should arrive about a minute after they hang up.
To have only your evening and weekend calls answered, forward every call when you finish for the day and switch back to missed calls in the morning. More on that in our after-hours answering service guide. If you keep voicemail as well, our business voicemail greetings have scripts you can copy.
Forwarding takes a minute
Sign up, get your local number and dial one code. US sign-ups open in November.