Setting up call forwarding on Honor smartphones: a detailed guide

Managing incoming calls is one of the basic functions of any smartphone, allowing you not to miss important calls even in conditions of poor connection or full employment. Owners of brand devices Honor often face the need to redirect calls to another number, for example, during vacation, meetings or when they are in an area of ​​​​a weak network signal. The operating system on which modern gadgets operate provides built-in tools for implementing this task without installing third-party software. Android, on the basis of which modern gadgets work, provides built-in tools for implementing this task without installing third-party software.

The setup process may seem confusing due to the features of the shell interface, which is slightly different from stock Android. However, regardless of the model of your device, be it budget MagicOS, which is slightly different from stock Android. However, regardless of the model of your device, be it a budget Honor X Series or flagship Honor Magic, the logic of the phone application remains the same. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available ways to activate call forwarding, analyze possible errors and answer frequently asked questions from users.

It is worth noting that the forwarding service itself is provided by your cellular operator, and the smartphone acts only as a control panel. This means that before changing settings, you need to make sure that the service is available in your tariff plan. Some operators may charge an additional fee for using the feature, especially if the call is redirected to another operator's number or while roaming internationally.

Accessing the call management menu in the Phone application

The first step for any call configuration is to log into the standard Phone application. On smartphones Honor the icon of this application is usually located in the bottom dock of the screen and has a green background with an image of a handset. The interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the basic menu structure is preserved on all current models.

After launching the application, you need to find the entry point to additional settings. In most cases, this is done through a button with three vertical dots or horizontal lines located in the upper or lower right corner of the screen. Clicking on this element opens a drop-down menu where you should select the item Settings.

In the settings window that opens, you will need to find the section that is responsible specifically for voice communication. It is usually called Call accounts or Advanced settings. If your device has two SIM cards, the system will prompt you to select a specific card for setup, since forwarding settings are applied individually for each slot.

⚠️ Attention: If the Call Forwarding item is grayed out or inactive, check network availability and account balance. Also make sure that the SIM card is not locked with a PIN code after rebooting the device.

The depth of menu nesting may vary. On some versions MagicOS the required section is located immediately after entering the call settings, while on others you need to go to the subsection Advanced settings. Be careful when navigating so as not to confuse your call settings with blocking or privacy settings.

Main types of forwarding and their differences

The Android system offers four main call redirection scenarios, each of which solves a specific user problem. Understanding the difference between them is critical for correct setup, so as not to lose important calls or pay extra money for unnecessary services.

The first type is Always forward. When this mode is activated, all incoming calls will be instantly redirected to the specified number without causing vibration or sound on your device Honor. The phone will act as if it is turned off or out of network coverage, although in fact it may be completely working.

The second option is If the number is busy. This setting will only work if you manually reject an incoming call or if you are already talking to someone else. If the phone is just ringing, but you do not pick up, the call will not be forwarded.

• 📞 If there is no answer: The call is forwarded if you do not pick up within a certain time (usually 15-30 seconds).
• 📶 If unavailable: Redirection works, when the phone is turned off, in airplane mode, or out of network coverage.
• 🔄 Combined mode: Operators often allow you to configure the “If busy or unavailable” scenario, combining two conditions into one rule.

The third and fourth types - If no answer and If unavailable —work automatically when appropriate conditions occur. The No Answer mode is especially useful when you can't answer the phone right now, but want the call to go to voicemail or a secretary.

It is important to distinguish between these modes, since their simultaneous activation can lead to conflicts. For example, if “Always” forwarding is enabled, then the “If no answer” settings become irrelevant, since the call will never reach the stage of waiting for an answer.

Step-by-step guide for enabling forwarding through the menu

To activate the function through the graphical interface, follow a clear algorithm of actions. This method is the most visual and is suitable for users who prefer visual control of settings rather than entering commands. Before you begin, make sure that your phone has an active SIM card with a positive balance.

Go to the application Telephone and open the settings menu, as described in the first section. Select the desired SIM card, if there are two, and click on the item Call forwarding. The system will contact the operator's server, which may take a few seconds, after which a list of available modes will be displayed.

Select the required type of forwarding, for example, Always forward. In the dialog box that appears, enter the phone number to which calls will be received. The number can be entered manually or selected from the contact book by clicking on the corresponding icon to the right of the input field.

After entering the number, press the button Enable or OK. A notification will appear on the screen indicating that the setting has been successfully applied. In the status bar or in the list of settings next to the selected mode, a handset icon or a check mark will appear confirming activation.

To disable the function, return to the same menu, select the active forwarding mode and press the button Disable. The system will send a request to the operator to reset the setting, and calls will again begin to arrive on your device Honor as usual.

⚠️ Attention: When setting up call forwarding to an international number, make sure that you enter the country code correctly. An error in one digit can result in calls being sent to a stranger or to a non-existent number.

Using USSD codes for quick control

For experienced users or in situations where the phone menu is inaccessible due to an interface failure, there is an alternative method of setting up via USSD requests. These codes are universal for most telecom operators and work directly through the network, bypassing the smartphone settings.

USSD commands are entered in the same “Phone” application on the dialing screen, like a regular phone number, but with the obligatory pressing of the call button at the end. Below is a table with the main codes that work on most networks, including MTS, MegaFon, Beeline and Tele2.

Action	USSD code	Description
Activation (always)	**21*number#	Enables forwarding of all calls to the specified number.
Cancel (always)	##21#	Completely disables unconditional forwarding.
Check status	*#21#	Shows whether forwarding is active and to which number.
Cancel all	##002#	Resets all types of forwarding at the same time.
If busy	**67*number#	Enables forwarding only when the number is busy.

Instead of the word “number” in the code, you must substitute the target phone number. If the number begins with a plus, you do not have to enter it, but the country code is required. For example, to redirect to the number +79001234567, the command will look like this: **21*79001234567#.

What to do if the code gives an error?

If, after entering the code, you receive a request error message or “Code is incorrect,” this may mean that your operator is using non-standard commands. In this case, contact the operator's support service or use the smartphone settings menu.

The advantage of USSD codes is their speed and independence from the phone model. Even if your screen Honor is broken or the sensor does not respond, you can try setting up call forwarding by connecting an external keyboard or using voice typing if it supports entering special characters.

Possible problems and solutions

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties when setting up call forwarding. The most common error is the message “Failed to change forwarding settings” or the loading indicator spinning endlessly. This is often due to temporary failures in the operator's network.

In such cases, it is recommended to turn it on and off Airplane mode for 10-15 seconds. This action will force the device to re-register on the network, renewing the connection to the operator's service server. After the signal is restored, try repeating the setup procedure.

Another reason for failure may be blocking of the service by the operator. Some plans, especially enterprise or archive plans, may have restrictions on the use of forwarding. Also, the service may be blocked if there are not enough funds in the account to make a test connection.

⚠️ Attention: If you use two SIM cards, remember that forwarding calls from one card to another within the same phone may not work correctly or may be prohibited by the operator. It is better to direct calls to a third-party number.

In rare cases, the problem lies in a software failure of the Phone application itself. Try clearing the application cache through the system settings: go to Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear cache. This will not delete your contacts, but it will reset temporary files that may have caused the conflict.

The impact of forwarding on billing and balance

It is important to understand the financial consequences of using forwarding, since this service is not always free. Pricing depends on the terms of your specific telecom operator and the type of tariff plan you use. In most cases, call forwarding is charged as an outgoing call from your number to the forwarding number.

If you are forwarding calls to the number of the same operator, the cost may be minimal or non-existent, depending on the package of minutes. However, when forwarding to numbers of other operators or city landlines, a fee will be charged according to the tariffs for long-distance or inter-network communications.

Particular attention should be paid to roaming. If you are abroad and activate call forwarding to a Russian number, you may be charged for both an incoming roaming call and an outgoing international call. This can lead to significant expenses, so before traveling it is recommended to check the conditions with the operator.

• 💰 Charges: The fee is usually charged at the time the forwarded call is connected.
• 🌍 Roaming: In international roaming, tariffs may be significantly higher than standard ones.
• 📉 Minutes packages: In some tariffs, forwarded minutes are not included in the general package and are paid separately.

To control costs, regularly check the call details in your operator’s personal account. There you can see exactly which calls were forwarded and how much they cost. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises when replenishing your account.

Is it possible to set up SMS forwarding on Honor?

Standard Android tools and the MagicOS shell do not support forwarding SMS messages. The forwarding feature is intended for voice calls only. To forward messages, you must use third-party applications from the application store or operator services, if any.

Why does forwarding not work, although the settings are enabled?

Most often, the reason lies in the lack of a network on the phone to which calls are forwarded, or in the blocking of the service by the operator. Also check if your Honor has Do Not Disturb mode enabled, which may interfere with the processing of incoming calls until they are forwarded.

Are forwarding settings reset when you replace the SIM card?

Forwarding settings are stored on the carrier side, not in the phone's memory or on the SIM card. Therefore, when replacing a SIM card in the same number (if the operator allows transfer) or when installing a card in another phone, the settings will be saved until you cancel them.

How do I know if call forwarding is enabled right now?

The fastest way is to enter the USSD code *#21# and press the call button. The screen will display the current status of the service and the number to which the forwarding is being carried out, if it is active. Also, the forwarding icon may appear in the status bar or in call settings.

Does forwarding affect the sound quality?

Forwarding itself does not degrade the sound quality, since it only redirects the call signal. However, if the call goes through multiple networks or international forwarding is used, slight connection delays or echoes may occur, depending on the quality of the operators' networks.