Call Forwarding UK: How to Divert Calls on Any Network

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Whether you are out of the office, on another call or simply want every enquiry answered, call forwarding makes sure no call goes unanswered. Also known as call diverting, it is one of the most useful — yet often overlooked — features built into every UK mobile and landline.

In this guide we explain exactly what call forwarding is, walk through the call forwarding codes for EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, show you how to forward calls on iPhone and Android, and explore how businesses use forwarding to deliver a professional customer experience.

What Is Call Forwarding?

Call forwarding (also called call diverting) is a telephony feature that automatically redirects incoming calls from one number to another. Callers dial your original number as usual — they have no idea the call is being sent elsewhere.

The redirect happens at the network level, so it works even if your phone is switched off.

UK mobile networks and most business phone lines support call forwarding as a standard feature at no extra monthly cost, although the forwarded leg of the call is charged at your normal call rate.

Types of Call Forwarding

There are four standard types of call forwarding recognised across all UK networks. Understanding the difference lets you set up diversions that match your exact requirements.

Unconditional Call Forwarding

Every incoming call is immediately forwarded to the destination number, regardless of whether your phone is on, off, busy or ringing. This is the most aggressive divert — your phone will never ring. Use it when you want all calls handled by a colleague, receptionist or voicemail service.

Forward When Busy

Calls are only forwarded when your line is already engaged. This is ideal for businesses where a second team member should pick up if the primary contact is on another call.

Forward When No Answer

If you do not answer within a set number of rings (usually 15–30 seconds), the call is redirected. This gives you time to answer but ensures callers are not left waiting.

Forward When Unreachable

Calls are forwarded only when your phone is switched off, in aeroplane mode or out of signal. This is the safety-net divert — it catches calls that would otherwise go nowhere.

Most businesses benefit from combining several types — for example, setting “no answer” and “unreachable” diverts to the office while “busy” diverts go to a colleague’s mobile.

Call Forwarding Codes for UK Networks

Every UK mobile network uses GSM divert codes that you dial from your phone’s keypad. Below are the call forwarding codes UK users need for each major network. To activate a divert, replace number with the full destination number including the leading zero (for example, 07700900123).

EE Call Forwarding Codes

O2, Three and Vodafone Call Forwarding Codes

The GSM call forwarding codes are standardised across all UK networks, so O2, Three and Vodafone use exactly the same codes as EE shown above. Dial the same activate, deactivate and check-status codes regardless of which network you are on.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on iPhone

If you prefer not to dial codes manually, iPhones have a built-in call forwarding menu:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Tap Call Forwarding.
4. Toggle Call Forwarding to on.
5. Tap Forward To and enter the destination number.

This activates unconditional forwarding — every call is diverted immediately. To set conditional diverts (busy, no answer, unreachable), you will need to use the GSM codes listed above, as the iPhone settings menu only supports the unconditional option.

Tip: When call forwarding is active on an iPhone, a small phone icon with an arrow appears in the status bar so you always know diverts are on.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Android

Android phones offer more granular control than iPhones through the built-in settings. If you need to know how to forward calls on a Samsung, Pixel or other Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu and select Settings.
3. Tap Supplementary services or Call forwarding (the label varies by manufacturer).
4. Select the divert type: Always forward, When busy, When unanswered or When unreachable.
5. Enter the destination number and tap Enable or Turn on.

On Samsung Galaxy devices the path is typically Phone > Settings > Supplementary services > Call forwarding. On Google Pixel, look under Calling accounts > your SIM > Call forwarding.

Call Forwarding for Business: Why It Matters

For businesses, call forwarding is far more than a convenience — it is critical to ensuring every customer enquiry is answered. Most callers will not leave a voicemail; they simply call a competitor instead. Here are the most common business use cases.

Out-of-Hours Coverage

Set a “no answer” or “unconditional” divert at the end of the working day so calls route to an out-of-hours answering service or a duty mobile. This means customers calling after 5 pm still get a human response.

Holiday and Sickness Cover

When a team member is off, forward their direct number to a colleague or shared hunt group. The caller never knows the usual contact is unavailable.

Remote and Hybrid Working

Employees working from home can divert their desk phone to a mobile, staying contactable on their usual business number without giving out a personal number.

Sales Teams and Lead Capture

Forward calls from marketing campaign numbers to the relevant sales rep’s mobile so leads are answered instantly. Missed calls cost revenue — call forwarding closes that gap.

If your business regularly relies on call diverting, it may be worth considering a dedicated hosted VoIP phone system that handles forwarding, queuing and routing automatically.

VoIP Call Forwarding: A Smarter Approach

Traditional GSM call forwarding works for simple diversions, but it has limitations — one destination at a time, no scheduling and no intelligent routing. VoIP call forwarding solves these problems. With a cloud-hosted phone system you can:

• Forward to multiple destinations — ring several mobiles simultaneously or in sequence until someone answers.
• Set time-based rules — automatically route calls to the office during working hours and to a mobile or voicemail after 6 pm.
• Use hunt groups — distribute incoming calls across a team so the first available person picks up.
• Route by caller ID — send VIP customers to a dedicated account manager and general enquiries to the main team.
• Manage everything online — change forwarding rules from a web portal or app in seconds, with no divert codes to remember.

For businesses that have outgrown basic mobile diverts, a VoIP system offers significant advantages over a traditional landline, including lower costs, greater flexibility and built-in call forwarding as standard.

Want to see how VoIP forwarding could work for your business? Get a free business mobile quote or call us on 0333 015 2615 to discuss your options.

See also: M365 business guide.

How to Cancel Call Forwarding

Forgetting to turn off a divert is one of the most common issues businesses face — calls keep going to the wrong place and nobody realises. Here is how to cancel call forwarding on any UK network.

Cancel All Diverts at Once

Dial **##002# and press call. This removes every active divert (unconditional, busy, no answer and unreachable) in one step. It works on EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.

Cancel a Specific Divert

• Cancel unconditional divert: **##21#
• Cancel busy divert: **##67#
• Cancel no-answer divert: **##61#
• Cancel unreachable divert: **##62#

Check Which Diverts Are Active

If you are unsure whether a divert is still running, dial the check-status code for each type (for example, ***#21#
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Written by

Karl Hallin

Key Account Manager

Karl is an experienced Key Account Manager with over a decade of expertise in customer service, account management, and team leadership within the telecommunications and financial services sectors.

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