Updated April 2026
Quick Answer: How to Divert Calls From Landline to Mobile UK
To divert calls from a BT landline to your mobile, pick up the handset and dial *21*[your mobile number]#. You’ll hear a confirmation tone and the diversion activates immediately. To cancel, dial #21#. Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet and other Openreach-based providers use the same codes. Virgin Media uses identical activation codes but requires a double hash (##21#) to cancel.
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⚠️ Important for 2026: If your provider has already migrated you to Digital Voice (BT, Sky and TalkTalk are actively doing this ahead of the January 2027 PSTN switch-off), star codes dialled from the handset may no longer work. You’ll need to set up diversion via your provider’s app or online account instead.
Diverted calls are charged at your standard landline-to-mobile rate — typically 13–16p per minute. For a business taking 10 diverted calls a day averaging 4 minutes each, that’s over £130/month. For a free, permanent alternative, a VoIP phone system routes calls to any device automatically with no per-minute diversion charges — and it’s future-proof for the 2027 switch-off. Get a free VoIP quote →
Whether you’re working from home, heading out for the day or moving offices, diverting your landline to a mobile means you never miss an important call.
The process takes under a minute on most UK providers — but the ongoing costs and limitations are worth understanding before you set it up, especially with the PSTN switch-off now less than a year away.
This guide covers the exact divert codes for every major UK provider, step-by-step activation instructions, what call diversion costs in 2026, and why thousands of UK businesses are switching to VoIP instead of paying for landline call forwarding.
What Are the Call Divert Codes for Every UK Landline Provider?
Before we walk through the step-by-step process, here’s a quick-reference table of every divert code you’ll need. Bookmark this — it covers BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, Virgin Media and VoIP systems.
| Provider | Divert All Calls | Divert on Busy | Divert on No Answer | Cancel All / Busy / No Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT | *21*[mobile]# | *67*[mobile]# | *61*[mobile]# | #21# / #67# / #61# |
| Sky | *21*[mobile]# | *67*[mobile]# | *61*[mobile]# | #21# / #67# / #61# |
| TalkTalk | *21*[mobile]# | *67*[mobile]# | *61*[mobile]# | #21# / #67# / #61# |
| Plusnet | *21*[mobile]# | *67*[mobile]# | *61*[mobile]# | #21# / #67# / #61# |
| Virgin Media | *21*[mobile]# | *67*[mobile]# | *61*[mobile]*[secs]# | ##21# / ##67# / ##61# |
| VoIP (hosted PBX) | Set via web dashboard or mobile app — no star codes needed. Rules can be time-based, caller-based or sequential. | Toggle off in dashboard instantly | ||
Important note for 2026: If your provider has migrated you to a Digital Voice or all-IP service (BT is actively doing this ahead of the January 2027 PSTN switch-off), star codes dialled from the handset may no longer work. You’ll need to set up diversion via your provider’s app or online account instead. If you’re unsure whether your line has been migrated, call your provider and ask.
How Do I Divert a BT Landline to My Mobile? (Step-by-Step)
BT is the UK’s largest landline provider, and their call diversion service uses star codes dialled directly from your handset. No engineer visit or account changes required.
Step 1: Choose Your Diversion Type
BT offers three diversion modes, each suited to different situations:
| Diversion Type | What It Does | Best For | Activate Code | Cancel Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divert all calls | Every incoming call goes straight to your mobile | Out of office all day, working remotely | *21*[mobile]# | #21# |
| Divert on busy | Diverts only when your line is already engaged | High call volumes, avoiding missed calls while on another call | *67*[mobile]# | #67# |
| Divert on no answer | Diverts after a set number of rings if nobody picks up | In meetings, stepping away from your desk temporarily | *61*[mobile]# | #61# |
Our recommendation: For most business users, divert on no answer (*61*) is the safest option. It lets you answer normally at your desk but catches calls you miss. “Divert all calls” is better for days when you’re completely away from the office.
Step 2: Activate the Diversion
- Pick up your BT landline handset and wait for the dial tone
- Dial the appropriate star code — for example, *21*07700900123# to divert all calls to 07700 900 123
- Listen for the confirmation tone (a short burst of dial tone followed by a continuous tone)
- Replace the handset — the diversion is now active
The diversion activates immediately. Test it by calling your landline from another phone to confirm calls are reaching your mobile correctly.
Step 3: Cancel When No Longer Needed
To stop the diversion, pick up the handset and dial the corresponding cancel code (e.g. #21# for all-call diversion). You’ll hear a confirmation tone and your landline will ring normally again.
If you’ve set up multiple diversion types, you’ll need to cancel each one separately. For example, if you activated both “divert on busy” and “divert on no answer”, you’ll need to dial #67# and #61# as two separate actions.
What If My BT Star Codes Don’t Work?
If you hear an error tone or the codes are rejected, your line may have been migrated to BT Digital Voice. BT is actively moving all customers to its all-IP platform ahead of the 2027 PSTN switch-off. On Digital Voice lines:
- Log in to the BT Business app or My BT online portal
- Navigate to Call features → Call diversion
- Enter your mobile number and choose your diversion type
- Save — changes take effect within seconds
If you’re a BT Business customer with a multi-line setup, your account manager can configure diversions centrally.
How Do I Divert Sky, TalkTalk or Plusnet Landline Calls to Mobile?
Sky, TalkTalk and Plusnet landlines run on the Openreach network — the same infrastructure as BT — so the diversion codes are identical:
- Divert all calls: *21*[mobile number]#
- Divert on busy: *67*[mobile number]#
- Divert on no answer: *61*[mobile number]#
- Cancel all diversions: #21#, #67# or #61# respectively
The activation process is identical to BT: pick up the handset, dial the code, wait for the confirmation tone.
What If the Star Codes Don’t Work on Sky or TalkTalk?
If the star codes don’t work on your line, your provider may have migrated you to a digital voice service (Sky and TalkTalk are both moving customers to IP-based calling through 2026). In that case, you’ll need to set up diversion through their online portal or app instead:
- Sky: Log in to My Sky → Your account → Phone settings → Call divert
- TalkTalk: Log in to My Account → My services → Home phone → Call features
- Plusnet: Log in to Member Centre → Phone → Call features → Call diversion
How Do I Divert Virgin Media Landline Calls to Mobile?
Virgin Media operates its own cable network, so while the activation codes look similar, there’s one critical difference with cancellation:
- Divert all calls: *21*[mobile number]#
- Divert on busy: *67*[mobile number]#
- Divert on no answer: *61*[mobile number]*[seconds]# (where seconds is 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30)
- Cancel: ##21#, ##67# or ##61#
Important: Note the double hash (##) for cancellation on Virgin Media lines — using a single hash won’t work. This is the most common mistake people make when trying to cancel a Virgin Media call divert.
If you’re on Virgin Media’s Hub phone (VoIP-based), you may need to manage call diversion through the Virgin Media app or My Virgin Media online account instead of star codes.
How Much Does Landline Call Diversion Cost in 2026?
This is where many businesses get caught out. Setting up call diversion is free — but every diverted call is charged at your landline-to-mobile rate. The landline doesn’t ring and route for free; your provider treats each diverted call as an outgoing call from your landline to a mobile number.
| Provider | Landline-to-Mobile Rate (2026) | Setup Fee | Monthly Cost (est. 10 calls/day, 4 mins avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT Business | 15.4p/min | Free | ~£135 |
| Sky | 16p/min | Free | ~£140 |
| TalkTalk | 14.4p/min | Free | ~£126 |
| Virgin Media | 15p/min | Free | ~£132 |
| VoIP (hosted PBX) | £0 (included in plan) | Free | £0 additional (from £6–£15/user/month total) |
The bottom line: A small business diverting 10 calls a day spends £1,500–£1,700 per year on diversion charges alone. A VoIP system that includes call forwarding to mobile as standard costs £72–£180 per user per year. The maths doesn’t require a calculator.
💡 Cost-saving tip: If you’re diverting calls because you work remotely or your team is hybrid, you’re paying twice — once for a landline you’re not using at a desk, and again for every call diverted to your mobile. A VoIP system eliminates both costs. Get a free quote →
Traditional Call Divert vs VoIP Call Forwarding: Which Is Better?
If you’re reading this guide because you need calls to reach you away from your desk, you have two options in 2026: traditional landline diversion (star codes) or a VoIP-based forwarding system. Here’s how they compare across every factor that matters to a business:
| Feature | Traditional Landline Divert | VoIP Call Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| Setup method | Dial star code from handset (or provider app if Digital Voice) | Web dashboard, mobile app or admin portal |
| Cost per diverted call | 13–16p/min (landline-to-mobile rate) | £0 — included in monthly plan |
| Monthly plan cost | £0 (but you pay per call) | £6–£15/user/month |
| Estimated annual cost (10 calls/day) | £1,500–£1,700/year | £72–£180/year |
| Forward to multiple devices | ❌ One destination only | ✅ Ring mobile, laptop, desk phone simultaneously or sequentially |
| Time-based rules | ❌ Not available — all or nothing | ✅ Different routing for office hours, lunch, evenings, weekends |
| Caller ID displayed | Shows original caller’s number (usually) | Shows original caller’s number + business line context |
| Keep your business number | ✅ Yes (number stays on landline) | ✅ Yes — port your existing number to VoIP |
| Voicemail-to-email | ❌ Basic voicemail only (dial in to listen) | ✅ Voicemail transcribed and emailed automatically |
| Call recording | ❌ Not available | ✅ Built-in on most plans |
| Auto-attendant / IVR | ❌ Not available | ✅ “Press 1 for sales, 2 for support” routing |
| Remote management | ❌ Must be at the handset (or use provider app) | ✅ Change settings from anywhere |
| 2027 PSTN switch-off ready | ❌ Traditional landlines cease to exist in Jan 2027 | ✅ Already runs on IP — completely future-proof |
| Scalability | One divert per line — need more lines = more rental | Add users in minutes, no physical lines needed |
Our pick: VoIP call forwarding is the better choice for virtually every UK business in 2026. It’s cheaper the moment you divert more than 2–3 calls per day, it offers far more flexibility, and — critically — it won’t stop working in January 2027 when the PSTN network switches off. Traditional call diversion only makes sense as a short-term, temporary fix.
Why Is VoIP a Better Long-Term Solution Than Call Diverting?
If you’ve landed on this page because you regularly divert your landline to a mobile, there’s a bigger question you should be asking: why are you still paying for a landline at all?
Traditional call diversion was designed for occasional use — redirecting calls for an afternoon while you visit a client, or during a one-off office closure. It was never intended as a permanent way to route business calls, and the per-minute charges reflect that.
A VoIP (Voice over IP) phone system doesn’t just forward calls — it replaces the need for a physical landline entirely, while letting you keep your existing business number.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Traditional Call Diversion?
✅ Pros
- Instant setup — works in under 30 seconds
- No new equipment or software needed
- No monthly subscription fee
- Works on any landline handset
- Good for occasional, temporary use
❌ Cons
- 13–16p/min per diverted call adds up fast
- Can only forward to one number at a time
- No time-based routing or advanced rules
- Must be at the handset to activate/cancel (unless Digital Voice)
- No voicemail-to-email, call recording or IVR
- Will stop working completely after the 2027 PSTN switch-off
What Are the Pros and Cons of VoIP Call Forwarding?
✅ Pros
- No per-call charge for forwarding — included in plan
- Forward to multiple devices simultaneously
- Time-based routing (office hours, out-of-hours, holidays)
- Manage everything remotely from any device
- Keep your existing landline number (number porting)
- Voicemail-to-email, call recording, auto-attendant included
- Scales instantly — add/remove users in minutes
- Fully future-proof — already IP-based, unaffected by 2027 switch-off
❌ Cons
- Requires a broadband connection (min 1 Mbps per call)
- Monthly per-user cost (£6–£15/user/month)
- Initial setup takes 1–3 days (number porting can take up to 10 working days)
- Call quality depends on internet stability (not usually an issue with fibre)
How Much Can a Business Save by Switching From Call Diversion to VoIP?
Here’s a real-world cost comparison for a 5-person business that currently diverts landline calls to mobiles:
| Cost Element | Traditional Landline + Diversion | VoIP (Hosted PBX) |
|---|---|---|
| Line rental (5 lines) | £90–£120/month | £0 (no physical lines) |
| Per-user VoIP plan | N/A | £30–£75/month (£6–£15/user) |
| Diversion charges (10 calls/day per line, 4 min avg) | £660–£700/month | £0 (included) |
| UK call minutes | Varies (often extra) | Unlimited UK calls included on most plans |
| Total monthly cost | £750–£820/month | £30–£75/month |
| Annual cost | £9,000–£9,840/year | £360–£900/year |
| Annual saving with VoIP | £8,000–£9,400/year | |
Best for small businesses (1–10 users): A hosted VoIP system from a specialist provider like Connection Technologies. No upfront hardware costs, month-to-month contracts available, and your existing landline number ports across seamlessly. Get a free quote →
What Does the 2027 PSTN Switch-Off Mean for Call Diversion?
This is the most important reason to stop relying on traditional call diversion. In January 2027, Openreach will permanently switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) — the copper-wire infrastructure that every traditional UK landline runs on.
After the switch-off:
- Traditional analogue landlines will stop working entirely
- Star codes (*21*, *61*, *67*) will no longer function
- All voice calls will be carried over broadband (IP) connections
- Providers are already migrating customers — BT, Sky and TalkTalk have all started moving users to “Digital Voice” or equivalent IP-based services throughout 2025 and 2026
If you’re currently diverting landline calls as a workaround for remote or hybrid working, that workaround has an expiry date. In less than 12 months, the underlying service it depends on will no longer exist.
What Are Your Options Before January 2027?
| Option | What Happens | Cost Impact | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do nothing | Provider auto-migrates you to Digital Voice. Call diversion managed via their app (limited features). | Still pay per-minute diversion charges | ❌ Most expensive, least control |
| Accept provider’s Digital Voice | Move to your existing provider’s IP phone service. Basic features. | Similar to current costs, possibly higher | ⚠️ Adequate for home users, not businesses |
| Switch to a business VoIP system | Port your number to a hosted PBX. Full business phone system with forwarding, IVR, call recording, mobile app. | £6–£15/user/month. No per-call diversion charges. | ✅ Best option for businesses |
Our recommendation: Don’t wait for your provider to auto-migrate you. Businesses that proactively switch to VoIP now avoid the January 2027 rush, lock in competitive pricing, and get months of savings on call diversion charges in the meantime. Connection Technologies handles the entire migration, including porting your existing landline number, so your customers notice no change.
📞 Planning for the 2027 Landline Switch-Off?
Get a free, no-obligation VoIP quote from Connection Technologies. We’ll show you exactly what your business will save versus call diversion charges, port your existing number, and have you set up in as little as 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diverting Landline Calls to Mobile
Can I divert my landline to a mobile for free?
Setting up the diversion is free, but every diverted call is charged at your landline-to-mobile rate (typically 13–16p per minute in 2026). The only way to forward calls from a landline number to a mobile at no per-call cost is to port the number to a VoIP system, where call forwarding to any UK device is included in the monthly plan.
Does the person calling me know their call has been diverted?
No. When you divert a landline to a mobile, the caller hears normal ringing. They won’t know the call has been redirected. On most providers, the original caller’s number is displayed on your mobile, though some networks may show your landline number or “withheld” instead.
Can I divert landline calls to an international mobile number?
Yes, but you’ll be charged international call rates for every diverted call — which can be extremely expensive (50p–£1.50/min or more depending on the country). If you need to receive UK business calls abroad, a VoIP system is far more cost-effective: simply install the mobile app on your phone and answer calls over WiFi or data, with no international charges.
What happens if my mobile is switched off when calls are diverted?
Diverted calls follow the same path as a direct call to your mobile. If your phone is off or has no signal, the call goes to your mobile voicemail — not back to your landline. You’ll need to check your mobile voicemail separately. With a VoIP system, you can configure failover rules: ring mobile first, then ring another colleague, then go to a shared business voicemail.
Can I divert calls from a landline to more than one mobile?
Not with traditional call diversion — you can only divert to one destination number at a time. If you need calls to ring on multiple mobiles simultaneously (a common need for small businesses and sales teams), you’ll need a VoIP system with simultaneous ring or hunt group functionality.
Will my landline divert code still work after the 2027 PSTN switch-off?
No. Once your line is migrated to an IP-based service (Digital Voice or equivalent), traditional star codes dialled from the handset will likely no longer function. Call diversion will need to be configured through your provider’s app or online account. If you switch to a VoIP system, call forwarding is managed through a web dashboard and is unaffected by the PSTN switch-off.
How long does it take to port my landline number to VoIP?
Porting a UK landline number to a VoIP provider typically takes 5–10 working days, depending on your current provider. During the porting process, your service continues on your existing line with no interruption. Once the port completes, your number works on the new VoIP system immediately. Connection Technologies manages the entire porting process on your behalf.
Stop Paying for Call Diversion — Switch to VoIP Before 2027
Traditional landline call diversion costs UK businesses £1,500+ per year in per-minute charges — and the service will cease to exist after January 2027. A hosted VoIP system from Connection Technologies includes unlimited call forwarding to any UK device, keeps your existing landline number, and is ready in as little as 48 hours.
- ✅ Keep your existing landline number
- ✅ Forward calls to mobile, laptop or desk phone — no per-call charges
- ✅ Auto-attendant, voicemail-to-email, call recording included
- ✅ From £6/user/month — no long-term contracts required
- ✅ Fully future-proof for the 2027 PSTN switch-off
Get a Free VoIP Quote →No obligation · 2-minute form · Response within 1 business hour
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