You're about to unlock a super handy feature on your T-Mobile phone that will ensure you never miss an important call again! Whether you're in a meeting, traveling, or just want your calls to go to another number, call forwarding is your secret weapon. Ready to get started? Let's dive in!
How to Call Forwarding on T-Mobile: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Call forwarding is a fantastic feature that allows you to redirect incoming calls from your T-Mobile phone to another phone number. This can be incredibly useful in various situations, from ensuring you catch business calls even when you're out of the office to sending all calls to voicemail while you're on vacation.
T-Mobile offers different types of call forwarding, giving you flexibility based on your needs. Let's explore how to set them up.
Step 1: Understand the Different Types of Call Forwarding
Before we jump into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the different ways you can forward your calls with T-Mobile. This will help you choose the best option for your specific situation.
Unconditional Call Forwarding (CFU): This is the most straightforward type. All incoming calls to your T-Mobile number will be immediately redirected to the number you specify, without your phone even ringing. This is great if you're using another phone for a period or want all calls to go directly to an answering service.
Conditional Call Forwarding: This type of forwarding only kicks in under specific conditions. T-Mobile offers a few variations:
Call Forwarding Busy (CFB): Calls are forwarded only when your T-Mobile line is busy. This is useful if you frequently make long calls and want others to reach you on an alternate line.
Call Forwarding No Answer (CFNRY): Calls are forwarded if you don't answer your phone within a set number of rings (usually 20-30 seconds). This is perfect if you want to give yourself a chance to answer but ensure calls are still picked up if you miss them.
Call Forwarding Not Reachable (CFNRC): Calls are forwarded when your phone is off, out of network coverage, or in airplane mode. This ensures important calls still reach you even when your primary device isn't available.
Think about your typical usage: Do you want all calls to go somewhere else, or only when certain conditions are met?
Step 2: Activating Call Forwarding Using Short Codes
The quickest and most common way to set up call forwarding on T-Mobile is by using specific short codes directly from your phone's dialer.
Sub-heading: Activating Unconditional Call Forwarding
If you want all your calls to go to another number, follow these simple steps:
Open your phone's dialer app. This is where you typically make phone calls.
Dial the code: Type
**21*followed immediately by the 10-digit phone number you want to forward calls to, then add#.Example: If you want to forward calls to 123-456-7890, you would dial
**21*1234567890#
Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Listen for confirmation. You should hear a confirmation tone or receive a message on your screen indicating that call forwarding has been successfully activated.
Pro Tip: After activating, it's always a good idea to test it out! Call your T-Mobile number from a different phone to ensure calls are redirecting as expected.
Sub-heading: Activating Conditional Call Forwarding
For more specific forwarding scenarios, use these codes:
Open your phone's dialer app.
Choose your desired conditional forwarding type and dial the corresponding code:
Call Forwarding Busy (CFB): Dial
**67*followed by the 10-digit forwarding number, then#.Example:
**67*1234567890#
Call Forwarding No Answer (CFNRY): Dial
**61*followed by the 10-digit forwarding number, then#.Example:
**61*1234567890#You can also specify the delay in seconds before forwarding by adding
**X#after the number, where X is the number of seconds (e.g.,**61*1234567890**20#for a 20-second delay).
Call Forwarding Not Reachable (CFNRC): Dial
**62*followed by the 10-digit forwarding number, then#.Example:
**62*1234567890#
Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Confirm activation. Look for a confirmation tone or message.
Remember, these conditional forwarding types only activate if the specific condition is met!
Step 3: Activating Call Forwarding Through Your Phone's Settings (Android/iPhone)
While short codes are efficient, you can also often manage call forwarding directly through your smartphone's settings. The exact navigation may vary slightly depending on your device's make, model, and operating system version.
Sub-heading: For Android Devices
Go to your Home screen.
Open the "Phone" or "Dialer" app.
Tap the "Menu" icon (often three vertical dots or lines) to access settings.
Select "Settings" or "Call Settings."
Look for "Calls," "Supplementary services," or "Call forwarding." The exact wording can differ.
Tap on "Call forwarding."
You'll typically see options like:
"Always forward" (for unconditional)
"Forward when busy"
"Forward when unanswered"
"Forward when unreachable"
Tap the desired forwarding type and enter the 10-digit phone number you want to forward calls to.
Tap "Turn On," "Enable," or "OK" to save the settings.
This method provides a more visual interface and allows you to see all your forwarding settings in one place.
Sub-heading: For iPhone Devices
Go to the "Home screen."
Tap on the "Settings" app.
Scroll down and tap "Phone."
Tap "Call Forwarding."
Toggle the "Call Forwarding" switch to the "On" (green) position.
Enter the 10-digit phone number to which you want calls forwarded.
Note: iPhones typically offer unconditional call forwarding through this menu. For conditional forwarding, you might need to use the short codes or contact T-Mobile support.
Return to the previous screen or close Settings. Your changes are usually saved automatically.
Using the phone settings can be more intuitive for many users, especially for unconditional forwarding.
Step 4: Deactivating Call Forwarding
When you no longer need calls forwarded, it's just as important to deactivate the feature. You can do this using short codes or through your phone's settings.
Sub-heading: Deactivating All Call Forwarding (Unconditional and Conditional)
The easiest way to turn off all active call forwarding is with a single short code:
Open your phone's dialer app.
Dial
##002#(This code is generally used to cancel all diversions). Alternatively, you can use##21#for unconditional forwarding.Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Confirm deactivation. You should receive a confirmation tone or message.
Sub-heading: Deactivating Specific Call Forwarding Types
If you only want to turn off a particular type of conditional forwarding, use these specific deactivation codes:
Open your phone's dialer app.
Choose the corresponding deactivation code:
Unconditional:
##21#Busy:
##67#No Answer:
##61#Not Reachable:
##62#
Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Confirm deactivation.
Sub-heading: Deactivating Through Your Phone's Settings
The process for deactivating via settings is similar to activation, but you'll toggle the feature off.
Android: Navigate to Phone App > Settings > Call Forwarding. Tap on the active forwarding option (e.g., "Always forward") and select "Disable" or "Turn Off."
iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding, and toggle the switch to the "Off" (gray) position.
Step 5: Important Considerations and Troubleshooting Tips
While call forwarding is generally straightforward, keep these points in mind:
Charges: While call forwarding within the U.S. is typically free, forwarding calls to an international number may incur charges based on T-Mobile's international calling rates. Always check your plan details.
Device Compatibility: Most modern smartphones support call forwarding. However, some older models or specific phone types might have limitations.
Network Issues: Call forwarding relies on network connectivity. Poor coverage or network downtime can affect its functionality.
Voicemail: If you forward calls to a number that also has voicemail, the call will go to that number's voicemail if it's not answered, not your T-Mobile voicemail.
Testing is Key: Always test your call forwarding after setting it up or changing settings to ensure it works as intended.
Contact T-Mobile Support: If you encounter persistent issues or the codes don't seem to work, it's best to contact T-Mobile customer service. They can check your account settings and troubleshoot from their end. Sometimes, server-side settings might need to be adjusted by T-Mobile.
You've successfully learned the ins and outs of T-Mobile call forwarding! Now, you're equipped to manage your incoming calls like a pro.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about T-Mobile call forwarding, with quick answers to help you out:
How to check if call forwarding is active on T-Mobile?
To quickly check your call forwarding status, dial *#21# from your T-Mobile phone and press call. You'll receive information on whether unconditional call forwarding is active. For other conditional forwarding types, you might need to check your phone's call settings.
How to set up call forwarding to voicemail on T-Mobile?
While you can't directly forward to your T-Mobile voicemail number using the standard codes, enabling "Call Forwarding No Answer" or "Call Forwarding Not Reachable" will ensure calls go to your T-Mobile voicemail if you don't answer or your phone is off/out of service. Alternatively, you can forward calls to a different phone number that has its own voicemail system.
How to forward calls from T-Mobile to an international number?
Yes, you can forward calls from your T-Mobile phone to an international number by using the same call forwarding codes (**21*, **61*, etc.) followed by the full international number (including the country code). Be aware that international forwarding may incur additional charges based on T-Mobile's international calling rates.
How to cancel all call forwarding on T-Mobile with one code?
To cancel all types of call forwarding (unconditional and conditional) at once, simply dial ##002# from your T-Mobile phone and press call.
How to change the ring time before call forwarding on T-Mobile?
For "Call Forwarding No Answer" (**61*), you can specify the delay in seconds before the call is forwarded. After the 10-digit forwarding number, add **X# where X is the number of seconds (e.g., **61*1234567890**20# for a 20-second delay).
How to activate call forwarding when my T-Mobile phone is busy?
To activate call forwarding when your T-Mobile line is busy, dial **67* followed by the 10-digit forwarding number, then #, and press call.
How to activate call forwarding when my T-Mobile phone is unreachable?
To activate call forwarding when your T-Mobile phone is off or out of service, dial **62* followed by the 10-digit forwarding number, then #, and press call.
How to know if my T-Mobile plan includes call forwarding?
Most T-Mobile plans, especially postpaid and current prepaid plans, include call forwarding as a standard feature. If you're unsure, the best way to confirm is to check your specific plan details on the T-Mobile website, through the T-Mobile app, or by contacting T-Mobile customer service.
How to forward text messages on T-Mobile?
Call forwarding only applies to voice calls, not text messages. T-Mobile doesn't natively support forwarding SMS messages from one number to another through a simple short code. You might need to explore third-party apps or services for SMS forwarding, or set up message forwarding within your phone's messaging app if it's supported by your device and operating system (e.g., iMessage forwarding on Apple devices).
How to troubleshoot T-Mobile call forwarding issues?
If call forwarding isn't working, first, double-check that you've entered the correct codes and forwarding number. Try deactivating and reactivating the service. Ensure your phone has good network coverage. If issues persist, contact T-Mobile customer support; sometimes, they need to make adjustments on their end to resolve forwarding problems.
