LeadGenie · Guides
Straight answers.
Written in Parramatta NSW
Vol. 2026
Home / Guides

How to forward calls on iPhone and Samsung

To forward calls on an iPhone, open Settings, then Apps, then Phone, then Call Forwarding, switch it on and enter the number. On a Samsung, open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings, Supplementary services and Call forwarding. To forward only the calls you miss, use your carrier’s code instead.

Call forwarding sends calls from your mobile to another number: a colleague, your office, voicemail or an AI receptionist. You can forward every call, or only the ones you can’t answer. Here’s how on iPhone and Samsung, how to forward only missed calls, and how to turn it all off again.

Call forwarding on iPhone, step by step

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then Phone.
  3. Tap Call Forwarding and switch it on. If you have two SIMs, choose the line first.
  4. Tap Forward To, enter the number, then tap Back.

A call forwarding icon appears in the status bar while it’s on. You need mobile coverage when you switch it on, or calls won’t be forwarded. On older versions of iOS, look under Settings, then Phone. Apple: set up call forwarding on iPhone

The iPhone switch forwards every call, so your phone won’t ring at all. To forward only the calls you don’t answer, use your carrier’s code instead, shown further down this page.

Call forwarding on Samsung and Android

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap the three dots, then Settings.
  3. Tap Supplementary services, then Call forwarding. If you have two SIMs, pick the SIM first, and on some models tap Voice call.
  4. Choose when to forward: Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered or Forward when unreachable.
  5. Enter the number and tap Enable.

Menu names vary a little between Samsung models and One UI versions, and other Android phones keep call forwarding in the Phone app’s settings too. The menus don’t let you change how long the phone rings before it forwards, so use the code below for that. Samsung Australia: call forwarding

Forward only the calls you miss

Conditional forwarding sends calls on only when you don’t pick up, you’re on another call or you have no signal. It’s what most businesses want with an AI receptionist: you answer when you can, and the AI answers the rest. On an iPhone you set it with codes typed on the keypad. On a Samsung you can use the menu or the codes.

Type the code into the Phone keypad and press call. Replace number with the Australian number you’re forwarding to, such as 0400123456, without spaces.

When
Code to type
Forward when unanswered

Telstra: **61*number*11#
Optus and Vodafone: **61*number#

Forward when busy

Telstra: **67*number*11#
Optus and Vodafone: **67*number#

Forward when unreachable

Telstra: **62*number*11#
Optus and Vodafone: **62*number#

Forward all calls

Telstra: **21*number*11#
Optus and Vodafone: **21*number#

To set how long the phone rings first, Optus uses **61*number**20# and Vodafone **61*number*20#, in 5 second steps up to 30. Telstra’s default is 15 seconds. Every Telstra, Optus and Vodafone code, including voicemail and home phones: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone call forwarding codes.

Always type the codes yourself. Never tap a forwarding code sent to you in a text, email or website: scammers use call forwarding links to take over people’s calls, and newer versions of iOS block them for that reason.

How to turn off call forwarding

  • iPhone: Settings, Apps, Phone, Call Forwarding, then switch it off.
  • Samsung: Phone app, the three dots, Settings, Supplementary services, Call forwarding, choose the option, then Disable.
  • Any network: dial ##002# to cancel every diversion at once. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all document this code.
  • Check: on Telstra and Vodafone, dial *#21# or *#61# to see whether anything is still forwarding.

Cancelling every diversion can also stop missed calls going to voicemail. Telstra customers can send them back to MessageBank with **004*101#, and Vodafone customers can dial 1211.

Forwarding to an AI receptionist

LeadGenie’s AI receptionist works with call forwarding: you keep your number, and missed, busy and no-signal calls divert to your LeadGenie number, where the AI answers on the first ring, quotes from your rate card and books the job. If a caller asks for a person, it takes a message and requests a call-back. We give you the exact codes for your network when we set it up.

It’s on Growth: A$499 a month plus A$1,999 set-up, ex GST. Growth includes an Australian mobile number, or you can keep yours and divert unanswered calls. Calls are A$0.03 a minute, texts A$0.11 sent and A$0.02 received.

Want calls answered when you divert? See Answer my phone →  ·  Or text back every missed call →

Forward to a standard Australian mobile or landline number. Vodafone doesn’t allow forwarding to 13, 1300 or 1800 numbers, and Vodafone prepaid services can only forward to voicemail. Not sure you need a number at all? Do you need a business phone number?

Questions about call forwarding

It depends on your network and plan. Telstra says call forwarding is included in all plans with unlimited calls, and Vodafone says there’s no extra cost in Australia. On Optus the forwarded part of the call is charged at your plan’s rates, and prepaid diversions cost 10c a minute to Australian numbers. Check with your carrier if you’re unsure.

Check that Call Forwarding is switched on, that the number is right, and that you had mobile coverage when you switched it on. Remember the iPhone switch only forwards every call. To forward missed calls only, you need your carrier’s code.

Yes. That’s conditional forwarding. Use the no-answer code, 61, in your carrier’s format, and add 67 for busy and 62 for no signal if you want those calls forwarded too.

On an iPhone, a call forwarding icon shows in the status bar. On Telstra and Vodafone you can also dial *#21# to check forwarding of all calls, or *#61# for unanswered calls.

Usually, but roaming charges can apply. Telstra only forwards to Australian numbers while you’re roaming, and Optus recommends forwarding all calls if you’re roaming overseas.

Want it answered for you instead?

Calls answered by AI on Growth: A$499 a month plus A$1,999 set-up, ex GST. A thirty-minute demo shows it working on an enquiry like yours. Work out what your missed calls cost.