If call forwarding isn’t working, the most common causes are an incorrect forwarding code or number, a carrier that doesn’t have forwarding enabled on your plan, conditional forwarding set by mistake so calls only divert when you’re busy or unanswered, or a weak signal that stopped the code from registering.
The quick fix: cancel unconditional call forwarding by dialing *73 on Verizon, *73# on AT&T, or ##21# for T-Mobile, restart your phone, re-enter the forwarding number, and place a test call. On iPhone, check Settings, Apps, Phone, and Call Forwarding. On Android, open Phone, Settings, Calls or Supplementary Services, and Call forwarding. If it still fails, your carrier may need to reset forwarding on their end.
Keep reading for common reasons call forwarding isn’t working, the fixes, and a more reliable alternative for your business.
Quick fixes if call forwarding is not working
Start here. These steps clear up the most common problems in a few minutes:
- Turn off call forwarding, then re-enter the star code and forwarding number, double-checking every digit.
- Dial the star code for your carrier to cancel all call forwarding: *73 on Verizon, *73# on AT&T, or ##21# for T-Mobile, then re-add forwarding in your phone’s settings.
- Restart your phone.
- Toggle airplane mode for 10 seconds to refresh the network connection.
- Check that Do Not Disturb, Focus, or Quiet Mode isn’t silencing incoming calls.
- Place a test call from another phone to confirm forwarding is working.
Why call forwarding isn’t working
If the quick fixes didn’t do it, one of these may be the culprit:
- Wrong code or number. A mistyped digit can disrupt forwarding.
- Your plan doesn’t support it. Some carrier plans don’t have forwarding enabled by default.
- Conditional call forwarding is set instead of unconditional. Calls only divert under specific conditions — when you’re busy, don’t answer, or are unreachable — rather than every time.
- Weak cellular signal when you entered the code. The code has to register with the network, and a poor signal can stop that.
- Invalid MMI code or an “unexpected response from network” error. Reset network settings and try again.
- Network congestion. Heavy traffic on the carrier’s network can delay or drop the request.
- Forwarding to an incompatible number, such as some VoIP or international numbers.
- A recent software update changed or reset your settings.
- The SIM is seated incorrectly or damaged.
How to fix call forwarding on iPhone
Here’s how to fix call forwarding on iPhone on iOS 17 or later:
- Go to Settings, Apps, Phone, and Call Forwarding, and confirm it’s on and the number is correct.
- If the toggle is missing, your carrier manages forwarding. Use the carrier’s star code instead.
- As a last resort, reset network settings. Note that this clears saved Wi-Fi, cellular and APN, and VPN settings.
- On a dual-SIM iPhone, pick the right line first — forwarding is set per line.
How to fix call forwarding on Android
Here’s how to fix call forwarding on Android:
- Open the Phone app, Settings, Calls or Supplementary services, and Call forwarding, and confirm it’s on and the number is correct. On Google Pixel phones, tap Calling accounts and select the correct SIM card.
- If your settings won’t save, the carrier may manage forwarding server-side — set it through the carrier’s code.
- On a dual-SIM Android, select the correct SIM or line for forwarding and make sure it’s in the active slot.
How to check if call forwarding is active
Not sure whether forwarding is even on? Confirm it three ways:
- Dial *#21# to see your unconditional forwarding status on most mobile carriers.
- Open the call forwarding settings menu on your phone.
- Call your landline or mobile number from another phone and see where it rings.
Carrier-specific issues and star codes
Star codes vary by carrier, and using the wrong one is a common reason forwarding silently fails. Here are the codes for the three major US carriers:
| Phone provider | Activate all call forwarding | Deactivate all call forwarding | Check status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Dial *72 followed by the 10-digit forwarding phone number | Dial *73 | Contact carrier support* |
| AT&T | Dial *72, enter a forwarding number, and press # | Dial *73# | *#21# |
| T-Mobile | Dial **21*1 + phone number # | Dial ##21# | *#21# |
*Verizon users must check their status via their carrier app or website.
A more reliable way: Virtual phone app-based forwarding
Carrier forwarding can fail silently, depending on codes, signal strength, and plan settings you can’t see. App-based routing with a virtual phone provider like Quo shows you where calls go, rings your whole team, and never depends on a star code registering with the network.
| Carrier call forwarding | Quo (virtual phone app) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Star codes | Visual call flow |
| Reliability | Signal- and plan-dependent | Internet-based |
| Visibility | Tied to personal phone | See call routing and call history in app |
| Team | One number | Shared number with ring order |
| Schedule | Manual toggle and dialing | Automated business hours |
With Quo, you build call routing visually instead of memorizing codes, so you can see at a glance where every call lands. Calls route over the internet rather than through carriers, which removes the signal and plan dependencies that cause silent failures.
You can ring your whole team in the order you choose, set business hours that route calls automatically, and review full call history in the app. Quo supports call forwarding alongside its call flow builder, so you can keep forwarding to another number if you need to — with much better routing and visibility than carriers give you.
Here’s what one customer said:
“Quo is extremely easy to use. We have a 6-person office routing calls to two companies, and the combination of simplicity and features is incredible. Having started with DYL (terrible system and worse service), moving to RingCentral (feature-rich but complicated and poor support), Talkroute (great value but no features), I’ve finally found the unicorn phone system that does everything at a great price.”
— Sean Williams, Managing Director, Nymble Insurance
What to read next
Weighing your options? Find the best call forwarding apps.
FAQs
You likely set conditional forwarding, which only diverts calls when you’re busy, don’t answer, or are unreachable. To forward every call, set unconditional forwarding: for Verizon, it’s *72 followed by the 10-digit forwarding phone number; for AT&T, it’s *72, followed by a forwarding number, and then #; for T-Mobile, it’s **21*1 followed by the forwarding phone number, then #.
The fix is to increase the number of rings before voicemail in your phone or voicemail settings. It can also happen when your phone is in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, has no signal, or is turned off, since calls go straight to voicemail in those cases. Check those first, then adjust your ring time if the call still drops too fast.
Dial *#21# on most mobile phones to check your unconditional forwarding status or open your call forwarding settings. On a landline, call your number from another phone.
Re-enable forwarding in your settings, restart the phone, and reset network settings. If the problem persists, your carrier or device manufacturer may need to address it.
Forwarding is set per line, so select the correct SIM or line in settings and make sure it’s in the active slot. Only the line that supports forwarding will work.
