What Is Call Forwarding?

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Call forwarding — also known as call diverting — is a standard mobile feature that redirects your incoming calls to another phone number. Whether you are heading into a meeting, switching devices or simply want calls routed to a colleague, call forwarding ensures you never miss an important call.

In this guide we explain exactly what call forwarding is, how it works on every UK network, the star codes you need, what it costs and when businesses should consider upgrading to VoIP-based call routing instead.

What Is Call Forwarding and How Does It Work?

Call forwarding (sometimes called call diverting or call redirection) is a telephony feature that intercepts incoming calls before they reach your handset and redirects them to a different number you have specified. The caller usually has no idea the call has been diverted — it simply rings at the new destination instead.

All UK networks — including EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three — support call forwarding as a standard GSM feature. You can activate it through your phone settings, your network's app or by dialling short star codes directly from your keypad.

In short: if someone asks "what is call forwarding?", the simplest answer is that it is an automatic redirect for your phone calls, controlled entirely by you.

What Are the Different Types of Call Forwarding?

There are four types of call forwarding available on every UK mobile network:

Type	When It Activates	Activate Code	Cancel Code
Unconditional (all calls)	Every incoming call is forwarded immediately — your handset will not ring at all	**21*number#	##21#
When busy	Calls forward only when you are already on another call	**67*number#	##67#
No answer	Calls forward after 15–30 seconds if you do not pick up	**61*number#	##61#
When unreachable	Calls forward when your phone is off, in aeroplane mode or has no signal	**62*number#	##62#

You can combine conditional types — for example, forwarding to voicemail when unreachable but to a colleague when busy — giving you flexible control over how your calls are handled.

How Do I Activate Call Forwarding on My UK Mobile?

The quickest way to set up call forwarding on any UK network is with universal GSM star codes. These short codes are dialled from your phone's keypad and work on EE, Vodafone, O2, Three, giffgaff and every other UK MVNO.

Step-by-step: Forward all calls

1. Open your phone's dialler (keypad).
2. Dial **21* followed by the full destination number including area code — for example **21*07700900123#
3. Press the call button. You will see a confirmation message on screen.
4. All incoming calls will now be redirected to that number.

Step-by-step: Cancel all call forwarding

1. Open your phone's dialler.
2. Dial ##21# and press call.
3. To cancel every type of call forwarding at once, dial ##002#.

We cover every code in detail — including network-specific variations — in our Call Divert Codes guide.

Is Call Forwarding Free in the UK?

Activating or deactivating call forwarding is free on all UK networks. However, forwarded calls may be charged at your standard outgoing call rate because the network treats the redirected leg as a new outgoing call from your number. If you have inclusive minutes, forwarded calls will typically come out of that allowance.

UK Network	Activation Cost	Forwarded Call Charge
EE	Free	Uses inclusive minutes or standard out-of-bundle rate
Vodafone	Free	Uses inclusive minutes or standard out-of-bundle rate
O2	Free	Uses inclusive minutes or standard out-of-bundle rate
Three	Free	Uses inclusive minutes or standard out-of-bundle rate

Tip: If your team forwards calls frequently, the per-call charges can add up. VoIP-based call forwarding (covered below) typically includes unlimited internal and external redirects at no extra cost.

When Should You Use Call Forwarding?

Call forwarding is ideal for anyone who needs to stay reachable across multiple numbers or devices. Common scenarios include:

• Meetings and focus time — Forward your mobile to a colleague so nothing gets missed.
• Annual leave — Route calls to a team member or virtual receptionist while you are away.
• Switching devices — Send calls from a work mobile to your personal phone (or vice versa) temporarily.
• Poor signal — If your office has a mobile blackspot, forward to a landline or VoIP number.
• Out-of-hours cover — Divert after-hours calls to an answering service or on-call team.

Call Forwarding vs VoIP Call Routing: What Is Better for Business?

Standard mobile call forwarding is fine for individuals and simple one-to-one redirects. But if your business needs to route calls across a team — with hunt groups, time-based rules, IVR menus and real-time reporting — you will quickly outgrow GSM star codes.

Feature	Mobile Call Forwarding	Hosted VoIP Call Routing
Forward to one number	✅	✅
Forward to multiple numbers (hunt groups)	❌	✅
Time-based / day-of-week rules	❌	✅
IVR / auto attendant	❌	✅
Call recording & analytics	❌	✅
Per-forwarded-call charge	Yes (uses minutes)	Usually included
Typical cost per user per month	Free (but call charges apply)	From £6–£15 per user

Our recommendation: If you are a sole trader or have a very small team, standard mobile call forwarding will do the job. For businesses with 3+ employees handling calls, hosted VoIP call routing is significantly more flexible and often cheaper overall once you factor in the cost of forwarded call minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Call Forwarding

What is call forwarding on a mobile phone?

Call forwarding is a network feature that automatically redirects incoming calls from your mobile to another phone number. You set the destination number using star codes (e.g. *21*number#), your phone's settings app, or your network's app. It works on all UK networks including EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three.

Does the caller know their call has been forwarded?

No. In most cases the caller hears a normal ringing tone and has no indication the call has been diverted. The call simply connects at the forwarded destination.

Can I forward calls to an international number?

Yes, but the forwarded leg will be charged at international call rates, which can be expensive. If you need to take calls abroad regularly, a VoIP system is a far more cost-effective option.

What is the difference between call forwarding and call diverting?

They are the same thing. "Call forwarding" and "call diverting" are interchangeable terms. UK networks and phone manufacturers use both — Apple's iPhone uses "Call Forwarding" in settings, while some Android devices and networks refer to "Call Divert".

How do I check if call forwarding is active on my phone?

Dial *#21# and press call. Your phone will display whether unconditional call forwarding is active and which number calls are being forwarded to. For other types, use *#61# (no answer), *#62# (unreachable) and *#67# (busy).

Can I forward calls from a landline?

Yes. BT landlines support call divert — dial *21*number# to activate (same code). Other landline providers such as Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone broadband also support call forwarding, though setup methods vary. For businesses, a hosted VoIP system gives you far greater control over landline call routing.

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