Need to ensure you don’t miss important calls even when you can’t answer your primary Verizon phone? Call forwarding is a useful feature that allows you to automatically redirect incoming calls from your Verizon Wireless number to another US phone number, such as a landline, a work phone, or a different mobile device. Here’s how you can set up and manage call forwarding on your Verizon phone.
How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Your Verizon Phone
Verizon offers a couple of straightforward methods to activate and deactivate call forwarding.
Using Star Codes (Dial Codes)
This is the most common and direct way to manage call forwarding directly from your Verizon mobile phone:
- Decide Forwarding Type: Choose if you want all calls forwarded immediately (Unconditional) or only calls that you don’t answer or that come in when your line is busy (Conditional).
- Dial the Code:
- For Unconditional Forwarding (All Calls): Dial *72 followed immediately by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward calls to (e.g., *72-555-123-4567).
- For Conditional Forwarding (No Answer/Busy): Dial *71 followed immediately by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward calls to (e.g., *71-555-123-4567).
- Press Call: Press the Call or Send button on your phone.
- Confirmation: Listen for a confirmation tone or message indicating that call forwarding has been successfully activated. The call may end automatically.
- To Deactivate ALL Call Forwarding: Simply dial *73 and press Call/Send. Listen for the confirmation tone indicating the feature is now off.
Note: These star codes may not work if you are outside the Verizon wireless coverage area.
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Using My Verizon Online/App
While star codes are the primary method, you may also be able to manage call forwarding settings through your My Verizon account online or via the My Verizon app, particularly for certain account types or plans (like business accounts or specific home phone services). Log in to your account and look for call forwarding options under your device or feature settings.
Types of Call Forwarding Explained
Verizon primarily offers two types of call forwarding using the star codes:
- *Unconditional Call Forwarding (72): When activated, all incoming calls are immediately sent to the forwarding number you designated. Your Verizon phone will not ring at all. This is useful if you know you won’t be using your primary phone for a period.
- *Conditional Call Forwarding (71): This option only forwards calls under specific conditions. Your Verizon phone will ring first (typically 3-6 rings). If you don’t answer, or if your line is busy when the call comes in, then the call will be forwarded to the number you designated. This allows you to answer on your primary device if you’re available.
Costs and Usage Charges
Understanding any potential costs is important:
- Feature Cost: Call Forwarding is typically included free with most current Verizon Wireless plans. There’s usually no monthly subscription fee to have the feature available. (Very old legacy plans might have had a fee).
- Airtime Charges: When a call is forwarded, airtime charges generally apply according to your plan for the duration of the forwarded call, even if the call is forwarded to a landline. Essentially, your phone line is still being used to connect the call to the forwarded number. If your plan includes unlimited minutes, this is less of a concern.
Important Considerations When You Forward Verizon Phone Calls
Keep these points in mind when using call forwarding:
- Forwarding Destinations: You can typically only forward calls to standard 10-digit US phone numbers (including mobile and landline numbers). Forwarding directly to international numbers is generally not supported through this feature.
- Voicemail Impact:
- With *Unconditional Forwarding (72), calls bypass your Verizon phone and voicemail entirely. If the forwarded number doesn’t answer, the caller might reach the voicemail system of that forwarded number, not your Verizon voicemail.
- With *Conditional Forwarding (71), if you don’t answer your Verizon phone and the call is forwarded, it will ring at the forwarded number. If it’s still not answered there, it might go to the voicemail of the forwarded number.
- *Deactivation (73): Remember to dial *73 to turn off call forwarding when you no longer need it, ensuring calls ring directly to your Verizon phone again.
