How to forward unanswered calls: no-answer call forwarding by carrier

Updated October 10, 2026

If you can't always pick up, you can have your carrier send the calls you don't answer to another phone: a partner's cell, an answering service, or a spare phone that texts the caller back. This is conditional call forwarding, also called "forward when unanswered", "no answer" or "no reply" forwarding. Your phone still rings first; only the calls you miss move on. This guide covers which kind of forwarding to use, the codes each carrier publishes, the iPhone setting that does the wrong thing, what it may cost, and how to test it.

Every code below is taken from the carrier's own support page, checked October 10, 2026, with a link so you can confirm it. Where a carrier doesn't publish a code, we say so instead of guessing.

Four kinds of call forwarding

T-Mobile's short-code page lists all four separately: **21*1NUMBER# forwards all calls ("prevents calls to your number"), **61*1NUMBER# forwards "if no reply", **67*1NUMBER# forwards when busy and **62*1NUMBER# forwards "when not reachable (device is off or out of signal range)". Verizon, Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile use one code, *71, for their no-answer option; Verizon calls it "No Answer/Busy Transfer" and says it also covers a busy line.

No-answer forwarding codes by carrier

Replace NUMBER with the 10-digit number you're forwarding to (area code first, no spaces or dashes). Dial the code on the phone whose calls you want to forward, in its Phone app keypad, and press Call; you should hear a confirmation tone or see a message. Type the code by hand: Apple notes that iPhone blocks links in messages, emails, web pages and apps that ask you to turn on call forwarding, because scammers use them.

Check with your carrier

These carriers did not publish a no-answer forwarding code on the official support pages we found on October 10, 2026. Ask their support for "conditional call forwarding when unanswered", or use the forwarding settings they point you to, then run the test below.

• AT&T: its call forwarding page gives no dial code, says forwarding can only be changed from your wireless phone, and points to device tutorials.
• Cricket Wireless: its dialing shortcuts page lists no forwarding codes. Cricket support.
• Google Fi: Google's Fi help says forwarding is set up in the Google Fi app or on fi.google.com, not in your phone's settings, with three choices: Don't forward, Ring all numbers (your number and the forwarding number ring at the same time) and Always forward. It lists no "when unanswered" option.
• Visible: its plan features page lists *72 plus the number to forward immediately, *71 plus the number for forwarding "only when busy / on another line", and *73 to turn forwarding off. It doesn't say whether *71 also forwards unanswered calls, so test it.
• Metro by T-Mobile: we found no Metro support page with the code. Metro support.
• Boost Mobile: we found no current Boost support page with the code. Boost support.
• US Cellular: uscellular.com/support now redirects to T-Mobile Support; we found no US Cellular page with the code.

On an iPhone: the Settings switch is the wrong one

iPhone has a Call Forwarding switch in Settings › Apps › Phone › Call Forwarding (on older iOS, Settings › Phone › Call Forwarding). Apple's guide describes it as turning on call forwarding to one "Forward To" number, available if you have service on a GSM network. It doesn't ring your iPhone first, so it's the wrong setting for missed calls. Apple says: "If your carrier supports conditional call forwarding when the line is busy or not in service, contact them for setup information." Leave that switch off and dial your carrier's no-answer code from the table above.

On an Android phone

Most Android phones have call forwarding options somewhere in the Phone app's settings, and some offer separate choices such as forward when unanswered, when busy and when unreachable. Where those options sit depends on the phone maker, the Android version and the carrier, so we won't guess a menu path for yours. If you can't find the option, or it doesn't save, the carrier's code from the table above works from any phone's keypad. On Google Fi, use the Fi app instead (see above).

What it may cost, and what changes

• Verizon: "There is no monthly fee for Call Forwarding if you're on a current plan. Some retired plans may have a fee." But "Airtime charges still apply to all forwarded calls" and "Additional per-minute charges may apply to forwarded calls."
• AT&T: "Forwarded calls are billed for the length of the call," calls "may incur long distance and/or roaming charges", and "With some AT&T wireless plans, call forwarding minutes aren't counted against the minutes included in the plan."
• Xfinity Mobile: call forwarding is "included with the Xfinity Mobile plan, whether you have Unlimited or By the Gig data, at no additional cost."
• The T-Mobile, Mint and Spectrum pages above don't mention charges. If you're not on an unlimited plan, ask before you rely on forwarding.
• Voicemail: AT&T says call forwarding "overrides your wireless voicemail"; Spectrum and Xfinity say unanswered calls won't go to your mobile voicemail while forwarding is on. Missed callers reach whatever answers on the number you forward to, so give that line a voicemail greeting with your business name.
• Texts don't forward. Spectrum and Xfinity both note that call forwarding doesn't affect text messages; they still arrive on your own phone.
• International numbers: AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity say you can't forward to an international number.

Test it before you rely on it

1. Dial the turn-on code on your phone and wait for the confirmation tone or message.
2. From a different phone (not yours and not the one you forward to), call your number. Let it ring without answering.
3. After a few rings the call should move to the other phone. On T-Mobile, if it moves too soon or too late, change the ring time with the **61*1NUMBER**SECONDS# code; on Verizon it is "three or four rings"; other carriers, ask.
4. On the phone you forwarded to, check the call shows the number you called from, not your own number or "Unknown". Many tools that text missed callers back, Ringback included, need the original caller ID. If it's missing, ask your carrier.
5. If the call went to your voicemail instead, forwarding isn't on, or voicemail answered first: dial the code again, or shorten the ring time.
6. Call once more and answer on your own phone to confirm normal calls still reach you. To undo everything, dial the turn-off code.

How Ringback uses no-answer forwarding

Ringback texts every missed caller within seconds and puts their replies in one inbox, using an Android app on the phone your business line rings on. If your business line already rings on an Android phone, you don't need forwarding at all: Ringback texts from your own number. You need no-answer forwarding when your business number rings somewhere Ringback can't run:

• An iPhone: forward unanswered calls to a spare Android running Ringback (relay mode); texts then come from the spare phone's number. If you have a Mac, the Ringback Mac helper (beta) needs no forwarding and texts from your own number. Full setup: missed-call text-back on iPhone.
• A landline or VoIP line: forward unanswered calls to the Android phone running Ringback, or have both ring; Ringback only sees calls that ring on that phone. See what you need in the setup guide.
• An answering service: answering services often have you forward the calls you miss to a number they give you, which uses the same codes. Weighing that option? See answering service for small business.

Ringback costs $17/month (or $170/year) with no setup fee. The 7-day free trial needs a card on file through PayPal; nothing is charged during the trial, then it is charged automatically unless you cancel before the trial ends. Setup steps and fixes are in the setup & troubleshooting guide.

Questions

Ringback works on an Android phone your business line rings on, or with an iPhone plus a Mac (Mac helper, beta) or a spare Android: see missed-call text-back on iPhone.

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