How To Do Call Forwarding On Verizon

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Calling all Verizon users! Ever find yourself missing important calls because you're away from your phone, in a meeting, or simply prefer another device? What if I told you there's a simple solution to ensure you never miss a beat? That's right, we're talking about call forwarding, and by the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll be a pro at setting it up on your Verizon line.

Ready to take control of your calls? Let's dive in!

Step 1: Understanding the 'Why' and 'What' of Call Forwarding

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to set up call forwarding, let's quickly understand why it's such a valuable feature and what it actually does.

Why Call Forwarding? Imagine you're expecting a crucial call, but your phone battery is dying, or you're in an area with poor reception. Or maybe you're at home and prefer to take calls on your landline. Call forwarding ensures that incoming calls to your Verizon number are automatically redirected to another number of your choosing. This means no more missed opportunities or frantic dashes to answer a ringing phone.
What is Call Forwarding? In essence, it's a network-level service that reroutes your incoming calls. Instead of your Verizon phone ringing, the call is sent directly to the designated forwarding number. Verizon offers several types of call forwarding, which we'll explore in the next steps.

Step 2: Identifying Your Call Forwarding Needs - Conditional vs. Unconditional

Verizon offers two primary types of call forwarding, and understanding the difference is key to choosing the right option for your situation.

Sub-heading: Unconditional Call Forwarding (Immediate Forwarding)

This is the most straightforward type. When you enable Unconditional Call Forwarding, all incoming calls to your Verizon number are immediately forwarded to the designated number, without your Verizon phone ever ringing. This is ideal if:

You're using a temporary phone and want all calls to go there.
You're going to be out of service range for an extended period.
You simply want all calls to go to a different number, like a work phone or a landline.

Sub-heading: Conditional Call Forwarding

This type of forwarding offers more flexibility, allowing calls to be forwarded only under specific conditions. Verizon typically offers these conditional forwarding options:

Busy Forwarding: Calls are forwarded only when your Verizon line is already in use (you're on another call).
No Answer Forwarding: Calls are forwarded if you don't answer your Verizon phone within a certain number of rings. This is great for ensuring calls don't go to voicemail if you'd prefer them to go to another number.
Unreachable Forwarding: Calls are forwarded if your Verizon phone is turned off, out of service, or has no signal. This is a lifesaver for ensuring critical calls reach you even when your primary device isn't accessible.

Think about your typical usage patterns. Do you want all calls forwarded, or only under specific circumstances? This decision will guide you in the following steps.

Step 3: The Universal Method - Dialing Codes for Call Forwarding

This is the most common and often the quickest way to manage call forwarding directly from your Verizon phone. These codes are standard across many carriers, but it's always good to have them handy.

Sub-heading: Activating Unconditional Call Forwarding

To activate unconditional call forwarding, you'll use a specific star code followed by the 10-digit number you want calls forwarded to.

Pick up your Verizon phone.
Dial *72 followed by the 10-digit number where you want your calls to be forwarded.
- For example, if you want to forward calls to 555-123-4567, you would dial *725551234567.
Press the Call/Send button.
Listen for a confirmation tone or message. Verizon will usually provide an audible confirmation that call forwarding has been activated.

Sub-heading: Deactivating Unconditional Call Forwarding

Just as easy as activating it, deactivating unconditional call forwarding is crucial when you want calls to ring on your primary Verizon phone again.

Pick up your Verizon phone.
Dial *73.
Press the Call/Send button.
Listen for a confirmation tone or message. You should hear a confirmation that call forwarding has been deactivated.

Sub-heading: Activating Conditional Call Forwarding (No Answer/Busy/Unreachable)

For conditional forwarding, the codes are slightly different. Remember, these will only forward calls if the specific condition (no answer, busy, unreachable) is met.

To activate No Answer Forwarding: Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number. Press Call/Send.
To activate Busy Forwarding: Dial *90 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number. Press Call/Send.
To activate Unreachable Forwarding: Dial *92 followed by the 10-digit forwarding number. Press Call/Send.

Note: Some Verizon plans might automatically include these conditional forwarding features without specific activation codes, or they might be managed through your online account. It's always a good idea to confirm with Verizon support or your online portal if these codes don't seem to work as expected.

Sub-heading: Deactivating Conditional Call Forwarding

To deactivate any of the conditional forwarding types, you'll typically use a corresponding hash code:

To deactivate No Answer Forwarding: Dial #71
To deactivate Busy Forwarding: Dial #90
To deactivate Unreachable Forwarding: Dial #92

Step 4: Leveraging Your My Verizon Account - The Online Portal Method

For those who prefer a visual interface and more control, your My Verizon account is an excellent resource for managing call forwarding settings. This method is particularly useful if you're not with your phone or prefer to manage settings from a computer.

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Verizon website: www.verizon.com.
Log in to your My Verizon account. You'll need your User ID and password. If you don't have an account, you can register one using your Verizon phone number.
Navigate to the "My Plans" or "Services" section. The exact wording might vary slightly, but look for options related to managing your line, features, or services.
Look for "Call Forwarding" or "Call Settings." This might be under "Manage Features," "Add-ons," or "Device Settings."
Select the line you wish to manage if you have multiple lines on your account.
Follow the on-screen prompts to activate or deactivate call forwarding. You'll typically be asked to enter the forwarding number and choose the type of forwarding (unconditional or conditional).
Save your changes. Make sure to click "Apply," "Save," or "Confirm" to ensure your new settings take effect.

Pros of this method:

Visual confirmation of your settings.
Ability to manage settings even without your phone.
Access to additional features and information about your plan.

Step 5: Using the My Verizon App - On-the-Go Management

Similar to the online portal, the My Verizon app offers a convenient way to manage your call forwarding settings directly from your smartphone or tablet. This is perfect for quick adjustments when you're on the go.

Download and install the My Verizon app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS) if you haven't already.
Open the My Verizon app and log in with your User ID and password.
Navigate to the "Account," "Devices," or "Services" section. The app's interface can vary slightly with updates, so explore to find relevant options.
Locate "Call Settings" or "Manage Features" for your specific line.
Tap on "Call Forwarding."
Enter the desired forwarding number and select the type of forwarding you need (e.g., "Always Forward," "Forward When Busy," etc.).
Confirm your selections. The app will usually provide a confirmation message once the settings are applied.

Benefits of using the app:

Convenience: Manage settings anywhere, anytime.
User-friendly interface: Often designed for easy navigation on mobile devices.

Step 6: Contacting Verizon Customer Service - When All Else Fails

While the above methods cover the vast majority of call forwarding needs, there might be rare instances where you need a little extra help. This is where Verizon's customer service comes in.

Dial 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
Follow the prompts to connect with a customer service representative. You might need to state your reason for calling clearly, such as "Call Forwarding."
Explain your situation and the type of call forwarding you wish to activate or deactivate. Provide them with the forwarding number if applicable.
Be prepared to verify your identity for security purposes.
Follow their instructions. They can often activate or deactivate the service on your behalf and troubleshoot any issues you might be facing.

When to use this method:

You're experiencing technical difficulties with the codes or online/app methods.
You have a complex forwarding scenario that isn't covered by standard options.
You prefer speaking to a human for assistance.

Step 7: Testing Your Call Forwarding - The Crucial Final Step

Once you've set up call forwarding, it's absolutely critical to test it to ensure it's working as expected. Don't skip this step!

Use a different phone (not your Verizon phone) to call your Verizon number.
Observe where the call rings.
- If you set up Unconditional Call Forwarding: The call should immediately ring on your designated forwarding number, and your Verizon phone should not ring at all.
- If you set up Conditional Call Forwarding (e.g., No Answer Forwarding): Call your Verizon phone. Let it ring for a few moments (the number of rings before forwarding is usually configurable by Verizon, often around 4-6 rings). The call should then divert to your forwarding number.
If the call doesn't forward as expected, revisit the previous steps to ensure you entered the codes or settings correctly. Double-check the forwarding number for any typos.
Troubleshoot as needed. If issues persist, consider re-entering the codes or contacting Verizon customer service.

Congratulations! You've successfully mastered the art of call forwarding on Verizon. Now you can rest assured that you'll never miss an important call again.

Frequently Asked Questions about Verizon Call Forwarding:

How to know if call forwarding is active on Verizon?

You can usually tell if call forwarding is active by dialing a test call to your Verizon number from a different phone. If the call goes directly to another number without ringing your Verizon phone (for unconditional forwarding) or after a few rings (for conditional forwarding), it's active. Some Verizon phones might also display an icon (like a phone with an arrow) on the status bar when call forwarding is enabled. You can also check your My Verizon account or app under "Call Settings."

How to forward calls from a landline to a Verizon cell phone?

To forward calls from a landline to a Verizon cell phone, you would typically manage this setting on the landline itself, not on your Verizon account. You'd need to contact your landline provider (e.g., AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) and inquire about their call forwarding services and activation codes.

How to forward text messages on Verizon?

Verizon's standard call forwarding only applies to voice calls, not text messages. To forward text messages, you would typically need to use a third-party app or a specific feature on your phone, such as "SMS Forwarding" if available in your device's settings, or explore Verizon's Message+ app which might offer some syncing capabilities across devices.

How to temporarily disable call forwarding on Verizon?

To temporarily disable unconditional call forwarding, simply dial #73 from your Verizon phone. For conditional forwarding, you'd use #71 for no answer, #90 for busy, and #92 for unreachable. This turns off the forwarding without needing to re-enter the forwarding number later.

How to set up call forwarding to an international number on Verizon?

While the process is similar (*72 followed by the number), ensure your Verizon plan supports international calls and that you have international dialing enabled. Additional long-distance charges may apply when forwarding to an international number, both for the forwarded call itself and potentially for the initial call to your Verizon number.

How to check the number calls are forwarded to on Verizon?

Unfortunately, there isn't a direct "check status" code that displays the forwarding number. The best way to confirm the forwarding number is by logging into your My Verizon account or the My Verizon app, where the active forwarding number will be displayed in your call settings.

How to activate call forwarding if my Verizon phone is lost or stolen?

If your Verizon phone is lost or stolen, you cannot use the dialing codes. In this scenario, you must log in to your My Verizon account online or use the My Verizon app from another device to activate call forwarding. Alternatively, contact Verizon customer service immediately, and they can assist you.

How to remove call forwarding permanently from my Verizon account?

To permanently remove call forwarding, you simply deactivate it using the methods described (dialing codes like #73, or through the My Verizon portal/app). It will remain off until you choose to re-enable it. There isn't a separate "permanent removal" option beyond deactivation.

How to use call forwarding selectively (e.g., only for certain contacts) on Verizon?

Standard Verizon call forwarding is an "all or nothing" feature (unconditional) or condition-based (no answer, busy, unreachable). It does not allow for selective forwarding based on specific contacts. For this functionality, you would typically need to use a third-party call management app or your phone's built-in "Do Not Disturb" settings with exceptions, or a "Blocking/Filtering" feature.

How to troubleshoot call forwarding issues on Verizon?

If call forwarding isn't working:

Double-check the forwarding number for typos.
Verify the activation codes or settings in My Verizon.
Ensure your Verizon account is in good standing and services are active.
Restart your Verizon phone (though not always necessary for network-level forwarding, it can sometimes help).
Test with a different phone calling your Verizon number.
Contact Verizon customer service for advanced troubleshooting.

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