Forwarding your existing business number to VoiceForge Pro is how your AI agent starts answering your real calls. This guide covers every method — iPhone settings, Android settings, and carrier USSD codes — for all major carriers.

ℹ️
Get your VoiceForge number first
Before setting up forwarding, go to Phone Numbers in your dashboard and provision a number. Copy it — you'll need to paste it into your forwarding settings below.

How call forwarding works

Call forwarding routes inbound calls from your existing number to another number — in this case, your VoiceForge number. Your callers still dial the same number they always have. They don't see the VoiceForge number, and they won't know their call has been forwarded.

There are two main types of forwarding:

  • Unconditional forwarding — every call forwards immediately, before your phone even rings. Best for always-on AI coverage.
  • Conditional forwarding — forwards only when you don't answer, the line is busy, or you're unreachable. Best if you want to answer calls yourself and only use the AI as a fallback.

For most businesses, unconditional forwarding is the right choice — it means every caller reaches your AI agent immediately, with zero wait time.

iPhone / iOS — Call Forwarding

iPhone call forwarding is set through the Phone settings. The steps are the same on iOS 15 and later.

⚠️
Call Forwarding must be available on your plan
This feature must be enabled by your carrier. If you don't see the Call Forwarding option in your settings, contact your carrier and ask them to enable it on your account.

Method 1 — iPhone Settings (unconditional forwarding)

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone
  2. Tap Phone
  3. Tap Call Forwarding
  4. Toggle Call Forwarding to on (green)
  5. Tap Forward To
  6. Enter your VoiceForge Pro number (e.g. +1 825 450 8011)
  7. Tap Call Forwarding at the top to go back and confirm

A small phone icon with an arrow appears in your status bar when forwarding is active. Every inbound call now goes directly to your VoiceForge agent.

Method 2 — Dial code (faster)

Open your Phone app's keypad and dial:

*21*[your VoiceForge number]#

Example: *21*+18254508011# — then press the green call button. You'll hear a confirmation tone or message.

Conditional forwarding on iPhone (forward when busy / no answer)

If you want to answer calls yourself first and only use the AI as a fallback, use these codes instead of the Settings method:

  • Forward when busy: *67*[VoiceForge number]#
  • Forward when no answer: *61*[VoiceForge number]#
  • Forward when unreachable: *62*[VoiceForge number]#
💡
Tip for iPhones on some carriers
On some carriers (particularly in the UK and Australia), the Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding option isn't available because the carrier manages it on their end. In that case, use the USSD dial codes in the USSD Codes tab above, or contact your carrier directly.

Android — Call Forwarding

Android call forwarding settings vary slightly between manufacturers (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.) but the general path is the same. These instructions cover the most common Android versions.

Method 1 — Android Phone Settings

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the ⋮ menu (three dots) in the top-right corner
  3. Tap Settings
  4. Tap Calls or Calling accounts
  5. Tap Call forwarding
  6. Tap Always forward (unconditional) or Forward when busy / unanswered / unreachable
  7. Enter your VoiceForge Pro number and tap Enable or Turn on
ℹ️
Samsung Galaxy path
On Samsung phones: Phone app → ⋮ → Settings → Supplementary services → Call forwarding → Voice call → Always forward.

Method 2 — Dial code (works on all Android)

Open your dialler and type:

*21*[your VoiceForge number]#

Then press the call button. Works regardless of Android version or manufacturer.

Conditional forwarding on Android

  • Forward when busy: *67*[VoiceForge number]#
  • Forward when no answer: *61*[VoiceForge number]#
  • Forward when unreachable: *62*[VoiceForge number]#

Google Pixel specific path

  1. Open Phone app
  2. Tap ⋮ → Settings
  3. Tap your SIM (if dual SIM)
  4. Tap Call forwarding
  5. Tap Always forward and enter your VoiceForge number

Carrier USSD codes — quick reference

USSD codes work on both iPhone and Android regardless of settings menus. Dial the code from your keypad and press the call button. Replace [VFP] with your full VoiceForge Pro number including country code.

💡
Most carriers use the same GSM codes
The codes below are standard GSM codes that work across most carriers worldwide. A small number of carriers use proprietary codes — if these don't work, contact your carrier and ask them to enable unconditional call forwarding to your VoiceForge number.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom EE · O2 · Vodafone · Three ▾

All UK carriers use standard GSM codes:

📞 Unconditional: **21*[VFP]#

📞 Busy: **67*[VFP]#

📞 No answer: **61*[VFP]#

📞 Cancel all: ##002#

Note: EE and Vodafone may require you to call customer service to enable forwarding if you're on a business contract. Ask for "unconditional call divert to be enabled."

🇺🇸 United States AT&T · T-Mobile · Verizon ▾
📞 AT&T unconditional: *21*[VFP]#

📞 T-Mobile unconditional: *21*[VFP]#

📞 Verizon: Call 611 and ask support to set forwarding

📞 Cancel (AT&T / T-Mobile): ##21#

Verizon does not support USSD forwarding codes on most plans — call their support line at 611 and ask them to enable unconditional call forwarding to your VoiceForge number.

🇦🇺 Australia Telstra · Optus · Vodafone AU ▾
📞 Unconditional: *21*[VFP]#

📞 Busy: *67*[VFP]#

📞 No answer: *61*[VFP]#

📞 Cancel all: ##002#

Telstra sometimes requires enabling "divert all calls" through the My Telstra app or by calling 125 111. Mention "unconditional divert" and give them your VoiceForge number.

🇨🇦 Canada Bell · Rogers · Telus ▾
📞 Unconditional: *21*[VFP]#

📞 No answer: *61*[VFP]#

📞 Cancel: ##21#

All three major Canadian carriers support standard GSM forwarding codes. If the code doesn't work, call your carrier's business support line and ask them to set call forwarding to your VoiceForge number.

🇪🇺 Europe Germany · France · Spain · Cyprus & more ▾

European carriers generally use standard GSM codes:

📞 Unconditional: **21*[VFP]#

📞 Busy: **67*[VFP]#

📞 No answer: **61*[VFP]#

📞 Cancel all: ##002#

Cyprus (MTN / Cyta / Epic): standard GSM codes work. Dial **21*+357XXXXXXXXX# replacing the number with your VoiceForge Cyprus number.

Test your forwarding

After setting up forwarding, always test it before relying on it for real customers.

✅
Call your existing business number from a different phone. Your VoiceForge agent should answer within 1–2 rings. Check your dashboard — the call should appear as a new record with a full summary within 60 seconds of the call ending.
⚠️
Don't test by calling from the same phone
Calls from the same SIM that has forwarding active may not forward correctly. Always use a different phone or ask a colleague to call your number.

Cancelling call forwarding

To turn off forwarding at any time, use these codes:

  • Cancel all forwarding (universal): ##002# — works on most GSM carriers worldwide
  • Cancel unconditional only: ##21#
  • iPhone via Settings: Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding → toggle off
  • Android via Settings: Phone app → Settings → Calls → Call Forwarding → Always forward → Disable

Common issues

❓ Forwarding set up but agent isn't answering ▾
  1. Confirm your VoiceForge number is correctly assigned to your agent in the Telephone tab of the agent editor
  2. Check you entered the VoiceForge number including country code (e.g. +1 for US/Canada, +44 for UK)
  3. Call your VoiceForge number directly — if the agent answers, the issue is with the forwarding setup, not the agent
  4. Try cancelling and re-enabling forwarding with the USSD codes
❓ USSD code not working ▾
  1. Ensure you're typing the code in your dialler, not a messaging app
  2. Include the country code in the number (e.g. +18254508011 not just 8254508011)
  3. Press the green call button after typing the full code — don't just tap the number
  4. If still not working, contact your carrier — some require call forwarding to be enabled on your account before USSD codes work
❓ Callers hear a busy tone or "number not available" ▾
  1. Your VoiceForge number may not be provisioned yet — go to Phone Numbers and confirm your number shows as active
  2. Check that your number is assigned to an agent in the Telephone tab
  3. Try calling your VoiceForge number directly — if it's unreachable, contact [email protected]

Still stuck? Email [email protected] with your VoiceForge number and carrier name. We'll help you get it live fast.