Call Forwarding Codes

Pick your carrier to get the exact activation and deactivation codes for call forwarding — works for iPhone, Android, and feature phones across 22 US, UK, Canadian, and Australian carriers.

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🇺🇸 Verizon Wireless

CDMA network

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Verizon uses CDMA-legacy star codes, NOT the standard GSM MMI codes. You CANNOT use *21*NUMBER# or ##002# on a Verizon line. Use *72 to forward all, *73 to cancel. International forwarding is supported but routing fees apply.

Dial each code from your phone's keypad, then tap Call (not Send). Replace NUMBER with the destination phone number in your country's local format.

Forward ALL calls

Every incoming call is routed to your forwarding number immediately.

*72

Stop forwarding ALL calls

Turns off the always-forward setting.

*73

Forward when busy

Calls go to the forwarding number only when you are on another call.

*71

Stop forward-when-busy

*73

Forward when no answer

Calls forward after a configurable ring delay (typically 15-30 sec).

*71

Stop forward-when-no-answer

*73

Universal GSM MMI codes (works on any GSM phone)

These ITU-T standard codes work on virtually every modern phone connected to a GSM/4G/5G network worldwide. Use them as your fallback if your carrier isn't listed above. Exception: Verizon and US Cellular (CDMA legacy) don't accept MMI codes — use their star codes instead.

Forward ALL calls

*21*NUMBER#

Deactivate forwarding

#21#

Master OFF (deactivate everything)

##002#

Check status

*#002#

Star codes vs MMI codes — what's the difference?

Two completely different code families exist for call forwarding. Knowing which one your carrier uses is the difference between forwarding working and the carrier ignoring your dial.

⭐ Star codes (CDMA legacy)

Used by Verizon, US Cellular, and most US landline (POTS) providers. Always start with * followed by plain digits. The forwarding number is dialed as part of the same string: *72-555-123-4567. Activation and deactivation are different codes (typically *72 and *73). The phone dials a real number that the carrier intercepts to set up the forward.

📞 GSM MMI codes (international standard)

Used by every other modern carrier worldwide — AT&T, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone, Bell, Rogers, Telstra, Optus, and so on. Always have the format *NN*NUMBER# or ##NN# with hash terminators. The MMI engine in the phone OS interprets the code locally rather than dialing it. Same family supports four conditional types: unconditional (21), busy (67), no answer (61), unreachable (62).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the universal call forwarding code?

On any GSM-spec phone (which includes virtually every iPhone, Android, and feature phone on any 4G/5G network worldwide), the standard MMI codes are: *21*NUMBER# to activate unconditional forwarding, #21# to deactivate it, ##002# to deactivate ALL forwarding types (master off), and *#21# to check the current status. The big exception is Verizon and US Cellular (legacy CDMA carriers) which use star codes only: *72 to activate, *73 to deactivate.

What is *72 call forwarding?

*72 is the activation code for unconditional call forwarding on CDMA-legacy US carriers — Verizon, US Cellular, and historically Sprint. Dial *72 + the 10-digit forwarding number from your phone keypad, then tap Call. You will hear a confirmation tone. To deactivate, dial *73 (on Verizon and Visible) or *720 (on US Cellular).

What is the ##002# code?

##002# is the universal master-off GSM MMI code — it deactivates EVERY type of call forwarding on your line at once (unconditional, busy, no-answer, and unreachable). Works on AT&T, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone, Bell, Rogers, Telstra, and every other GSM carrier. Does NOT work on Verizon or US Cellular (CDMA legacy — use their star codes instead).

How do I set up call forwarding on Verizon?

Verizon does NOT support the standard iOS/Android Call Forwarding settings (the carrier blocks the toggle). You must use star codes from the phone keypad. Dial *72 + the 10-digit forwarding number, then tap Call — you will hear a confirmation tone. To turn it off, dial *73 and tap Call.

How do I set up call forwarding on AT&T?

AT&T is GSM-based and supports both the GUI settings AND the MMI codes. iPhone: Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding > toggle ON > enter the destination number. Android: Phone app > ⋮ menu > Settings > Calls > Call forwarding. Or from the keypad: dial *21*NUMBER# (e.g., *21*15551234567#) and tap Call.

How do I set up call forwarding on T-Mobile?

T-Mobile uses the double-star MMI variant. Activate unconditional forwarding: **21*NUMBER#, then tap Call. Deactivate: ##21#. Or use the GUI: iPhone Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, or Android Phone app > ⋮ menu > Settings > Calls > Call forwarding. The double-star ** version registers the number with the network so it persists across reboots.

How do I check if call forwarding is on?

On any GSM carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone, Bell, Rogers, Telstra, etc.), dial *#21# from your keypad and tap Call. You will see an info screen showing whether unconditional forwarding is active and what number it forwards to. To check the other conditions: *#67# (busy), *#61# (no answer), *#62# (unreachable), or *#002# for all conditions at once.

Does call forwarding cost extra?

On most carriers, forwarded calls are billed at your normal per-minute rate — your line pays for the leg from the original incoming call to the forwarded number. Most modern unlimited plans include domestic forwarding free. International forwarding (forwarding a UK call to a US number, for example) usually carries international call rates against your line. Always check your specific carrier plan before forwarding to a foreign number.

Why is my call forwarding code not working?

Common causes: (1) wrong family — Verizon/US Cellular use *72/*73, NOT the GSM ##002# style; (2) leading 0 included on the destination number when the carrier expects 10 digits without a 0; (3) Wi-Fi Calling is on — disable temporarily before sending the MMI code; (4) the carrier hasn't enabled forwarding on your plan (some prepaid plans block it); (5) you tapped Send instead of Call after dialing the code.

Will call forwarding work when my phone is off or out of coverage?

Yes, if you configure conditional forwarding for "unreachable" (MMI code *62*NUMBER#) — this routes calls to your forwarding number ONLY when your phone is powered off, in airplane mode, or out of coverage. Calls while your phone is on and answered behave normally. Combine it with *61*NUMBER# (no answer) to also catch calls you miss while your phone is on.

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