Call forwarding is the process by which you reroute an incoming call. For example, you can send all your calls to the office while you’re on vacation. Then you have the luxury of having your cell phone and still making calls but freely ignoring anyone who calls you.
The options for call forwarding on your phone can be set by using either the Android operating system itself or the controls set up by your cellular provider.
Call forwarding may affect your phone’s voicemail service.
Forward calls using Android settings
To confirm that call-forwarding options can be set by using the Android operating system, follow these steps:
Open the Phone app.
Touch the Action Overflow icon.
On some phones, touch the Menu icon instead to see a list of commands.
Choose Settings or Call Settings.
The Call Settings command might be found on a second screen; choose Settings first, and then choose Call Settings. Eventually you’ll see the call settings screen.
Choose Call Forwarding.
If the option isn’t available, use your cellular carrier to forward calls.
Choose one of the following options:
Always Forward: All incoming calls are sent to the number you specify; your phone doesn’t even ring. This option overrides all other forwarding options.
Forward When Busy: Calls are forwarded when you’re on the phone and choose not to answer. This option is normally used to send a missed call to voicemail, although you can forward to any number.
Forward When Unanswered: Calls are forwarded when you choose not to answer the phone. Normally, the call is forwarded to your voicemail.
Forward When Unreached: Calls are forwarded when the phone is turned off, out of range, or in airplane mode. As with the two previous settings, this option normally forwards calls to voicemail.
Set the forwarding number.
Or you can edit the number that already appears. For example, you can type your home number for the Forward When Unreached option so that your cell calls are redirected to your home number when you’re out of range.
Touch Enable or OK.
The Call Forwarding status icon appears atop the touchscreen whenever you’ve activated an Android operating system forwarding option.
To disable call forwarding, touch the Disable icon when you’re given the opportunity to type a forwarded phone number (refer to Step 6).
Forward calls by using your cellular provider
Some Android phones are forced to use the forwarding methods provided by the cellular provider rather than by the Android operating system. For example, the cellular provider Verizon in the United States, uses the call forwarding options described in the table.
| To Do This | Input First Number | Input Second Number |
|---|---|---|
| Forward unanswered incoming calls | *71 | Forwarding number |
| Forward all incoming calls | *72 | Forwarding number |
| Cancel call forwarding | *73 | None |
So, to forward all calls to (714) 555-4565, you input *727145554565 and touch the green Phone icon on your Android phone. You hear only a brief tone after dialing, and then the call ends. After that, any call coming into your phone rings at the other number.
You must disable call forwarding to return to normal cell phone operations: Dial *73.