Modern smartphones Android are sophisticated communication hubs, but basic functions such as call forwarding remain critical for many users. The ability to forward an incoming call to another number is a lifesaver in situations where you are in an area of poor reception, are busy on a second line, or simply want to maintain the confidentiality of your main number. Despite the visual differences in the shells of different manufacturers, the principle of operation of this function remains the same and is based on cellular communication standards.
This option can be configured in several ways: through the standard dialing menu, hidden engineering codes or specialized applications of your telecom operator. Understanding how forwarding works at the network level will help you avoid unnecessary costs and configure use cases as efficiently as possible. In this article, we will analyze each method in detail so that you can manage your calls with complete confidence.
Types of forwarding and usage scenarios
Before you begin the technical setup, you need to decide what type of forwarding you need. The cellular network supports several conditions under which the call will be forwarded to the number you specify. Choosing the wrong type can result in calls not going where you intended, or, conversely, leaving too early.
There are four main types of forwarding, each of which solves a specific problem. Unconditional forwarding redirects all incoming calls immediately, without even giving your phone a chance to ring. This is ideal if you are going on vacation and want clients to call your assistant, or if your phone is temporarily unavailable.
The remaining types are conditional and work only under certain circumstances. For example, busy forwarding is useful for freelancers who cannot interrupt an ongoing conversation. And forwarding on no answer will allow you to decide whether to pick up within a specified time before the call goes to voicemail or the secretary.
- 📞 Always: all calls go to another number instantly.
- ⏳ When busy: forwarding works if you are talking on the phone.
- ⏰ No answer: the call is redirected if you have not picked up within a certain time.
- 🚫 When unavailable: triggered when the phone is turned off or out of network coverage.
⚠️ Attention: Using conditional forwarding requires that your phone is turned on and registered on the network to correctly determine the "busy" or "no answer" status.
Settings through the standard phone menu
The easiest and most intuitive way to manage call forwarding is to use the built-in "Phone" application, which is pre-installed on any device Android. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic for searching for settings remains the same.
First, open your dialer app and look for the menu button, which is usually indicated by three vertical dots in the top or bottom right corner of the screen. In the list that opens, select "Settings". Further, the path may vary: on a pure Android this is often the "Accounts" or "Advanced Settings" section, and on devices Samsung or Xiaomi the item may be called directly "Call Forwarding".
After entering the menu, the system may ask you to select a SIM card if your device has two installed active modules. Select the card for which you want to configure the rule. The system will send a request to the operator's network, which may take a few seconds. If the setup was successful, you will see a list of forwarding types with the current status.
☑️ Setting algorithm through the menu
Make sure you enter the number in international format, starting with a plus and country code, to avoid routing errors. Saving settings usually occurs automatically after entering the number and confirming the action.
Using USSD codes for quick control
For experienced users or in situations where the phone menu is inaccessible due to software glitches, there are universal ones USSD commands. These codes work at the network protocol level and are executed on almost any phone, regardless of model or firmware version. This is the most reliable method, which is often used by service engineers.
Commands are entered directly into the dialing screen as a regular telephone number, after which you need to press the call button. The response from the network comes in the form of a pop-up message on the screen. Below is a table with the main codes that are the GSM standard and are supported by most telecom operators in the world.
| Action | USSD command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activation (all calls) | **21*number# |
Enables unconditional forwarding |
| Disconnection (all calls) | ##21# |
Completely cancels forwarding |
| Checking status | *#21# |
Shows where they are going calls now |
| Activation (if busy) | **67*number# |
Forwarding if the line is busy |
| Disconnection (if busy) | ##67# |
Cancels forwarding if busy |
When entering a command, instead of the word "number" you must substitute the recipient's real phone number. For example, to forward all calls to +79001234567, the command will look like this: **21*+79001234567#. Please note that some operators may require you to enter a number without a plus sign or with other prefixes.
What to do if the code does not work?
If, when entering a USSD command, you receive the error “Invalid MMI code” or “Connection problem,” this may mean that your operator is blocking such requests in roaming or the service is not activated on the tariff. Try turning off Wi-Fi and try again via the mobile network, or contact your operator's support.
Setting up through mobile operator applications
Modern mobile operators provide users with convenient personal accounts in the form of mobile applications. This method is often preferable, as it allows you not only to manage redirection, but also to see the service billing in real time. The interface of applications such as My MTS, My Beeline or My Tele2, constantly updated.
Inside the application you need to find a section dedicated to communication services or call settings. Often this function is hidden in the “Services” -> “Voice” subsection. The advantage of this method is that the application itself will set the correct settings and warn you about the cost if the service is paid. You don't need to remember complex codes or search for items in the phone menu.
In addition, through the operator's application, you can set up complex scenarios, for example, forwarding only at certain times of the day or to different numbers depending on the day of the week. Such flexible settings are rarely available through the standard menu Android or USSD codes. Personal account also allows you to quickly disable the service with one touch if it is no longer relevant.
⚠️ Attention: Forwarding tariffs calls may differ from your basic tariff. Check the cost per minute of a forwarded call in the operator's application to avoid unexpected expenses.
Setting up features on dual-SIM smartphones
Owners of devices with support for two SIM cards are faced with the need to separately configure forwarding for each number. The system Android processes this request correctly, but the user needs to be careful when selecting the active card in the settings menu. An error in choosing a SIM card will result in the settings being applied to the wrong number.
When using USSD codes on dual-SIM devices, the system often asks for confirmation from which card to send the request. If such a request was not received, and you have “Basic for calls” configured by default, the code will be applied to this card. To set up a second card, you may need to temporarily switch the call priority in the network settings.
Some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi or Huawei, add convenient widgets to their shells for quickly switching communication profiles. However, to deeply configure forwarding, it is still better to use the standard path through the “Phone” application, where each SIM card has its own menu subsection. This ensures that network parameters will be applied address wise.
On dual-SIM phones, it is recommended to sign SIM cards in the settings (for example, “Work” and “Personal”) so as not to confuse them when setting up forwarding in the menu.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of technical difficulties. The most common problem is an error when activating the service or immediate disabling of forwarding after an attempt to enable it. This is often due to restrictions on the part of the telecom operator or incorrect network settings.
If forwarding does not turn on, check whether the "Disable forwarding" service is activated on your number. This security feature is sometimes enabled by default or upon user request to protect against scammers. You can also remove this ban through USSD commands or by contacting the operator’s support service.
Another reason for the failure may be airplane mode or an unstable network signal. To apply the settings, the phone must establish a stable connection with the base station. Try rebooting the device after making changes to reset the network registers and apply the new configurations.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone to update the network settings.
- 📡 Make sure you are in an area with reliable signal reception.
- 🔒 Check if the services do not block forwarding operator.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and settings menus may change after system updates. If you do not find the described item, use the search in your phone settings by entering the word “forwarding.”
The most universal and reliable way to set up is to use USSD codes, since they do not depend on the Android version and phone model.
Does forwarding affect the cost of my calls?
Yes, forwarded calls are usually charged as outgoing calls from your number to the forwarding number. If you are roaming, the cost may be significantly higher. Check the tariff conditions with the operator.
Will the caller ID know that the call has been forwarded?
In most cases, the subscriber to whom you forwarded the call will see your phone number as an incoming one. However, some operators can transmit forwarding information if this is provided by the network settings.
Can SMS messages be forwarded on Android?
SMS cannot be forwarded using standard Android tools and USSD codes. This requires special third-party applications or services provided by the telecom operator (for example, "Secretary").
Why does forwarding not work when the phone is turned off?
Conditional forwarding (when busy or no answer) requires the participation of the phone in determining the status. If the phone is turned off, only the “When unavailable” or “Always” type, configured in advance, will work.