How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Any Phone (Step-by-Step Guide)

Call forwarding lets you route calls from your existing business number to another number like an answering service or AI receptionist so you never miss a customer. The best part isit takes less than 5 minutes to set up on any carrier.

Whether you're on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other carrier, here's exactly how to set it up.

For an easier Step By Step Approach, you can try our Handy Call Forward Tool.

In this article:

What Is Call Forwarding?

Call forwarding routes incoming calls from your phone number to a different number. Your customers still call the same number they always have but the call gets answered somewhere else.

This is how service businesses use answering services, virtual receptionists, and AI receptionists like Pencil'd. You set up forwarding so that when you can't pick up (or always, if you prefer), the call goes to the service that handles it for you.

Your phone number doesn't change. Your customers don't notice a difference. They just get an answer instead of voicemail.

Types of Call Forwarding

Not all call forwarding works the same way. There are three main types, and which one you choose depends on how you want your calls handled.

Unconditional Call Forwarding (Forward All Calls)

Every call goes to the forwarded number, no matter what. Your phone doesn't ring at all. This is useful if you want every call handled by an AI receptionist or answering service and prefer to focus on your work without interruptions.

Conditional Call Forwarding (Forward When You Can't Answer)

Calls only forward in specific situations:

This is the most popular option for service businesses. You get first crack at answering, and if you can't, the call goes to your AI receptionist instead of voicemail.

Scheduled Call Forwarding

Calls forward during specific hours, for example, after 6 PM and on weekends. This is great if you want to answer calls yourself during business hours but have AI handle everything after-hours.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding by Carrier

Before you begin, you can try our Step By Step Call Forwarding Tool to get the exact codes for your phone and carrier.

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.

Conditional forwarding (no answer/busy):

You can also set this up in the My Verizon app under Manage Device > Call Forwarding.AT&T

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.

Conditional forwarding:

You can also manage this in the myAT&T app under your line settings.



T-Mobile

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.

Conditional forwarding:

Also available through the T-Mobile app or by calling T-Mobile customer service.


Google Voice

Google Voice makes it easy to forward to multiple numbers and set schedules.


Spectrum Mobile

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.


Xfinity Mobile

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.



Metro by T-Mobile

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.

Uses the same codes as T-Mobile for conditional forwarding.


Cricket Wireless

To forward all calls:

To turn it off: Dial *73 and press Call/Send.



Other Carriers (Boost, Visible, UScellular, Consumer Cellular, Straight Talk)

Most carriers use the same standard codes:

If these codes don't work on your carrier, call your carrier's customer support and ask them to enable call forwarding on your line. Some prepaid plans don't include forwarding by default, but your carrier can usually activate it.


iPhone vs. Android Setup

In addition to the dial codes above, you can set up call forwarding directly in your phone's settings.


iPhone

Note: This method sets up unconditional forwarding (all calls forward). For conditional forwarding (only when you don't answer), use the dial codes for your carrier instead.


Android

Android gives you more granular control than iPhone, you can set different forwarding rules for different situations without needing dial codes.




When Should You Forward Your Calls?

Here are the most common setups for service businesses:

1. Forward when you don't answer (most popular)

Your phone rings normally. If you don't pick up within a few rings, the call goes to Pencil'd. This way, you can still answer calls when it's convenient, but you never miss one when you're busy.

2. Forward after hours

You answer calls during the workday. After 6 PM and on weekends, everything goes to AI. You get a summary of every call the next morning.

If you're already talking to a customer and a new call comes in, it goes to Pencil'd instead of voicemail. No missed opportunities.

4. Forward when your phone is off or out of range

Job sites with bad reception. Phone died. Forgot to charge it. Whatever the reason, calls still get answered.

Some business owners prefer to let AI handle every call and review the summaries between jobs. This frees you up completely and ensures a consistent experience for every caller. There's no wrong answer. It depends on how you like to work.

You can use this guide to Setup Call Forward for Pencil'd and never miss a customer again.
Try free for 2 weeks





Troubleshooting Common Issues

Call forwarding isn't working:

Call forwarding takes 2 minutes to set up and completely changes how your business handles incoming calls. Instead of missed calls going to a voicemail box that 80% of callers won't use, every call gets answered by someone (or something) that can actually help.

Pair call forwarding with an AI receptionist, and you've got a system that answers every call, books every possible appointment, and never takes a day off, all without hiring anyone.