How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Android

Which type of forwarding do you need?

Android and UK networks offer four kinds of forwarding. You can set more than one at a time.

• Always forward: every call goes straight to the other number. Your phone doesn't ring.
• When unanswered: your phone rings first. If you don't pick up, the call is forwarded.
• When busy: forwarded if you're already on a call or you decline it.
• When unreachable: forwarded if your phone is off or has no signal.

Google Pixel: step by step

These steps are for the Phone by Google app, which Pixel phones use. Wording can shift slightly between app versions.

1. Open the Phone app and tap the menu icon.
2. Tap Settings, then Calling accounts.
3. If you have two SIMs, pick the one your business number is on.
4. Tap Call forwarding and choose Always forward, When busy, When unanswered or When unreachable.
5. Enter the number and tap Turn on.

When "Always forward" is on, a phone icon with an arrow shows in the status bar. If your menu looks different, the codes below work on any Android phone.

Samsung Galaxy: step by step

1. Open the Phone app and tap the three dots (More options).
2. Tap Settings, then Supplementary services.
3. Tap Call forwarding. On a dual-SIM phone, choose the SIM first.
4. Choose Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered or Forward when unreachable.
5. Enter the number and tap Enable (or Update).

Source: Samsung UK support. Other makers put call forwarding in their Phone app settings too, but the menu names vary. If you can't find it, use the codes below.

The keypad codes (any Android, any UK network)

Type the code into the Phone app keypad, replacing number with the number you're forwarding to, and press call. You'll see a confirmation message on screen.

To cancel every divert at once, dial:

Ring time. On most networks you can choose how long your phone rings before an unanswered call is forwarded. This sets 20 seconds:

Dual SIM. A code only affects the SIM you dial it from. If your phone asks which SIM to call with, choose the one your business number is on.

UK network notes

• EE (and BT Mobile): the standard codes work. You can also manage diverts in the My EE app.
• O2 (and giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile): the standard codes work. You can also use the My O2 app.
• Vodafone (and VOXI, Lebara, Talkmobile): the standard codes work, including the ring-time code.
• Three (and SMARTY, iD Mobile): if a divert won't set from the keypad, turn off Three voicemail first, or set it in the Three app.

Voicemail can get in the way. Your network's voicemail is itself a "forward when unanswered". If voicemail keeps picking up calls you meant to forward, turn voicemail off and set the **61* code again.

Charges. Your provider may charge for forwarded calls, usually at the rate of a normal call to a UK number. Check your tariff, especially if you forward every call.

If it doesn't work

• Options are greyed out: if "Always forward" is on, the other three can't be changed. Turn it off first. Some networks also block the menu over Wi-Fi Calling, so try with Wi-Fi Calling off and a mobile signal.
• "Network or SIM card error": the phone couldn't reach your network's settings. Restart the phone, try the keypad code instead, or ask your provider to set the divert for you.
• The code is rejected: check you used two stars at the start and a hash at the end, with no spaces.

How to test it

Dial the check code (for example *#61#) to confirm the divert is on and see the number it points to. Then ring your mobile from a different phone. For an "unanswered" divert, let it ring out; for "unreachable", switch your phone off first. The call should arrive at the forwarding number.

Forward to AI Answerphone

With AI Answerphone, you divert calls to a UK number we give you. An AI receptionist with a British voice answers, takes the caller's name, number and reason for calling, and sends you a summary and transcript by email, WhatsApp or SMS. It doesn't book appointments or transfer calls; it makes sure you know who called and why.

• To catch calls you miss: set "when unanswered", "when busy" and "when unreachable". Your phone still rings first.
• When you're closed or on holiday: use "always forward", then turn it off with ##21# when you're back. See out-of-hours call answering.

Plans start at £47 a month with no contract, and you're usually live within 24 hours. See pricing. Using an iPhone as well? Read our iPhone call forwarding guide.

Common questions

Does call forwarding work when my phone is switched off?

Yes. Forwarding is stored on your network, not your phone, so "always forward" and "when unreachable" work with the phone off.

Can I forward calls to a landline or another mobile?

Yes. You can forward to any UK number. Enter it in full, starting with 0 or +44.

How do I turn call forwarding off?

Dial ##002# to cancel all diverts, or switch each option off in the Call forwarding menu.

Will I still get texts?

Yes. Call forwarding only affects voice calls. Text messages still arrive on your phone.