How to Forward Calls: The Definitive UK Guide to Call Forwarding

Owner Web and mobile networks 6. June 2025 | 0

In an era when being reachable is essential for work, family life and small businesses, mastering how to forward calls can save time, protect privacy and keep you connected even when you’re away from your desk or phone. This comprehensive guide walks you through the practical steps, from personal mobile devices to business-grade systems, so you can control when and where your calls go. Whether you’re setting up How to forward calls for the first time, tweaking existing rules, or troubleshooting issues, you’ll find clear instructions, real-world tips and safer options to tailor call forwarding to your needs.

What does it mean to forward calls?

Forwarding calls, or call forwarding, is a feature that diverts incoming calls from your current phone number to another number. It can be a mobile, landline, VoIP line, or even a colleague’s extension within a business system. The purpose ranges from ensuring you never miss a crucial call when you’re away from your main device to delegating coverage during busy periods or holidays. In short, forwarding calls is a practical tool for preserving continuity of contact while maintaining control over when and where you pick up.

Why you might want to forward calls

There are many scenarios in which how to forward calls becomes essential:

Working remotely or travelling, where the primary device might not be the best option for reception or battery life.
Managing calls across a small team, ensuring messages reach the right person without delay.
Protecting personal privacy by screening work calls without giving out a personal number.
Maintaining business continuity during outages, outages, or technical maintenance of your main line.
Automating responses when you’re in meetings or during after-hours.

Common types of call forwarding

Unconditional call forwarding (Forward all calls)

This is the simplest form of how to forward calls. All incoming calls are immediately diverted to the specified number without ringing on the original device. It’s ideal for temporary redirection or when you want to make sure every call is answered elsewhere.

Conditional call forwarding

Conditional forwarding ties the redirection to a specific condition. The most common conditions are:

Forward when busy — divert calls if your line is already in use.
Forward when no answer — send the call to another number if you don’t answer within a short time.
Forward when not reachable — redirect if the phone is off, out of coverage or otherwise unavailable.

Conditional forwarding is particularly useful for exact coverage windows and for ensuring someone is always available to respond.

Simultaneous ring vs sequential ringing

In some systems you can choose how forwarding behaves when more than one line is involved. With simultaneous ring, an incoming call rings multiple numbers at once. With sequential ringing, the system tries one number first, then another, in a predetermined order. Both approaches are valid ways to implement how to forward calls in a way that balances speed and attention.

How to forward calls on an iPhone (iOS)

For many people, the iPhone is the default device for personal and business communications. Here’s how to set up call forwarding on iOS, including practical tips for achieving reliable results in the UK.

Basic unconditional forwarding on iPhone

Open Settings.
Scroll to Phone.
Tap Call Forwarding.
Toggle on and enter the number you wish to forward calls to. Confirm the change.

Conditional forwarding on iPhone

iPhone’s built-in controls focus on unconditional forwarding and basic conditions. If you need more granular rules (for example, forward only when busy or not reachable), you may rely on your network carrier’s services, or use third-party apps that offer more detailed rules. Check with your provider for compatibility and any costs involved.

Practical tips for iPhone users

Test after saving settings by asking a colleague to call you and confirm delivery to the target number.
When abroad, ensure the destination number uses a country code that’s correctly formatted for your carrier’s international routing.
If you rely on visual voicemail, consider whether you want forwarded calls to reach voicemail on the destination device and adjust your settings accordingly.

How to forward calls on Android devices

Android devices provide flexible options for how to forward calls through the built-in settings and carrier networks. The exact route can vary depending on the device manufacturer and Android version, but the general approach remains similar.

Using the Android phone app

Open the Phone app.
Tap the three-dot menu and choose Settings (or Calls, depending on the model).
Navigate to Call forwarding or More > Call forwarding.
Select the condition you want (Always forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, Forward when unreachable).
Enter the forwarding number and confirm. You may be prompted to disable other call settings that could conflict with forwarding.

Carriers and codes: a compatibility note

Some UK networks still support the traditional call forwarding codes in addition to device-based settings. If you encounter problems coordinating forwarding via the Android interface, you can try dialling network codes such as:

Unconditional forwarding: 21* followed by the destination number # and then send.
Disable forwarding: ##002# or similar, depending on the network.

Always verify the exact codes with your network provider, as these can vary by operator and plan. The device-based method is usually more reliable for day-to-day use.

Forwarding calls on landlines (fixed lines)

Landlines typically offer a mix of in-device settings and network-based services. If you have a traditional home or office line, you’ll often manage call forwarding either directly on the phone or through your service provider’s portal.

Using the phone itself

Some cordless or desk phones have a dedicated Call Forward button or menu option. The exact steps will depend on your model, but commonly you’ll:

Access the phone’s main menu while on-hook or in standby.
Select Call Forwarding or Forward All Calls.
Enter the forwarding number and confirm the setting.

Carrier-based forwarding for landlines

Older landlines, or those associated with specific providers, may require you to dial a feature code to forward calls. Typical examples include codes like *21* for unconditional forwarding or *63* for conditional forwarding, but the exact codes vary by operator. If you’re unsure, contact your provider’s customer service or consult the service manual for your line. This approach remains common across many UK operators and can be useful when you don’t have access to a suitable handset.

Using a web portal or administrator console

For business lines, your organisation may offer a web portal to manage call forwarding centrally. Admin dashboards can provide:

Per-extension forwarding rules for staff lines.
Simultaneous ring settings and distribution lists.
Time-based rules, so calls forward only during certain hours.
Usage data and cost controls to monitor forwarded call activity.

Forwarding calls with VoIP and business phone systems

VoIP systems and hosted PBX platforms are popular for organisations that require flexible, scalable call handling. Here’s how how to forward calls typically works in this context.

Common platforms and their approaches

Hosted PBX and cloud-based phone systems often offer a web-based admin portal. You can create forward rules by user or by number, set conditions, and configure simultaneous ringing with other team members or teams.
3CX and similar software-based systems provide a straightforward interface to route calls to extensions, mobile numbers, or voicemail. They support time-based rules, holiday calendars and failover routing to ensure calls aren’t dropped.
RingCentral and other unified communications platforms let you set up call forwarding as part of call handling, with options to route through missed calls, voicemail, or call queues.
SIP trunking environments allow forwarding rules to be defined at the trunk or user level, giving precise control over external routing and internal distribution.

Practical steps for business users

Identify the objective: Are you forwarding to a colleague’s extension, to a mobile, or to voicemail? Clarify the expected outcome before configuring rules.
Define time-based rules: If you’re operating out of hours, you may want to forward to a team or voicemail automatically.
Document rules: Keep a simple record of who handles which numbers, including fallback options in case someone is unavailable.
Test thoroughly: Simulate different scenarios (busy, no answer, unreachable) to ensure the expected behaviour.

Forwarding calls while abroad and during travel

Roaming and international travel add a layer of complexity to how to forward calls. Here are best practices to maintain reliability and cost control while you’re away from home or the office.

Check international forwarding charges with your provider. Some operators bill for forwarding to international numbers, while others include it in plans or bundles.
Use local numbers when possible. Forwarding to a local UK number from abroad can sometimes reduce costs and improve call quality.
Consider Do Not Disturb or selective forwarding for long trips if you don’t need constant accessibility.
Test in advance: Before you travel, enable forwarding to a trusted colleague or a central line and verify the call flow.

Forwarding calls with Do Not Disturb and other modes

Do Not Disturb (DND) can interact with call forwarding in predictable ways. If DND is active on your device, some devices may still forward calls depending on your settings or the network’s interpretation of DND. It’s wise to review both DND settings and your call forwarding rules to avoid missed calls due to conflicting states.

Managing forward rules and avoiding missed calls

The key to effective how to forward calls is deliberate configuration and ongoing management. Here are strategies to help you stay in control:

Consolidate forwarding rules where possible, to avoid confusion about which rule applies in a given situation.
Keep a simple backup plan, such as a sole fallback number, in case your preferred forward target is unavailable.
Review rules quarterly, especially when changes in staffing, roles or travel patterns occur.
Integrate with your calendar for time-based forwarding around meetings or holidays.

Troubleshooting common call forwarding issues

If how to forward calls isn’t behaving as expected, try these checks:

Verify the destination number is correct and reachable. A mis-typed number is a common cause of forwarding failures.
Confirm the forwarding rule is saved and active on the device or in the admin portal.
Check for conflicts with other call-handling features such as do-not-disturb, call waiting, or voicemail routing.
Test with a colleague calling your number to observe how the call is routed.
Review network restrictions or carrier-specific limits that might block forwarding in certain scenarios.

Security and privacy considerations when forwarding calls

Forwarding calls can reveal or expose numbers and call destinations. Consider these security best practices:

Only forward to trusted numbers; be mindful of sharing personal numbers with clients or new contacts.
Regularly audit forwarding rules, especially in shared or team devices, to prevent inadvertent exposure of sensitive lines.
Use business-grade systems with access controls for admin consoles to prevent unauthorised changes.
Be aware of legal and regulatory obligations regarding call routing, recording and storage, particularly for professional practices.

Cost considerations: does call forwarding cost extra?

Cost implications vary across networks and systems. Some points to consider when planning how to forward calls include:

Unconditional forwarding may incur per-minute charges for forwarded calls, particularly when moving from a landline to a mobile or international number.
Conditional forwarding can be included in bundled plans, but some networks apply higher rates for forwarding outside your geographic area or to non-UK numbers.
VoIP and hosted PBX solutions often have predictable monthly fees that include forwarding within the plan, or a per-minute rate for external destinations.
Internal forwarding within the same system (e.g., between extensions) typically incurs no extra cost, which is a useful feature for business communication.

Integrating call forwarding into daily workflows

To make how to forward calls practical rather than technical, embed forwarding into your daily workflow. For example:

Set a morning routine: forward work calls to your desk or mobile while you commute, then revert to standard routing when back on site.
Team coverage during holidays: implement a rotating forwarding plan so that someone is always available without overwhelming any single team member.
Meeting modes: configure forwarding away from the desk during important meetings or conference calls.

Frequently asked questions about how to forward calls

What does it mean to forward calls?

Forwarding calls means redirecting incoming calls from one number to another. It can be configured on phones, networks, or cloud-based systems to suit personal or business needs.

Can I forward calls without sharing my personal number?

Yes. By forwarding calls to a work line or a temporary number, you can shield your personal number while staying reachable for important contacts.

Will call forwarding affect my caller’s experience?

In most cases, callers will hear a standard ring or be connected to voicemail if you do not answer. Some providers may display the destination number to the caller, depending on their setup.

Is call forwarding available on all phones?

Most modern smartphones, landlines and VoIP services support some form of call forwarding. The exact steps differ, but the feature is widely supported.

What happens if I forward to a number that’s temporarily unavailable?

If the destination number is unreachable, some systems will try alternate numbers in a predefined sequence, or forward to voicemail after a grace period. Check your conditional forwarding rules to configure fallback behaviour.

The psychology of being reachable: balancing visibility and privacy

People often grapple with the tension between staying reachable and preserving personal boundaries. How to forward calls can help you strike a balance by creating reliable coverage while giving you control over when and how you engage with calls. For professionals, clear forwarding rules can reduce missed opportunities and prevent the stress of constant interruptions. For families, forwarding can ensure help is available during emergencies or when someone is unavailable to take a call directly.

Step-by-step recap: a practical checklist for how to forward calls

Define your objective: Do you want to always forward, or only under certain conditions?
Choose the right destination: A colleague, a mobile, or a voicemail service, depending on need and privacy considerations.
Set up on the appropriate device or portal: Use iPhone, Android, landline or VoIP platform as needed.
Test thoroughly: Simulate busy, no answer and unreachable scenarios to confirm behaviour.
Document and review: Keep a simple note of forwarding rules and review them regularly.
Monitor costs and security: Be mindful of potential charges and ensure proper access controls.

Final thoughts on how to forward calls

Mastering how to forward calls is less about technical complexity and more about thoughtful configuration and ongoing management. By understanding the different types of forwarding, choosing the right method for your devices or systems, and regularly auditing your rules, you can stay reachable when you need to be and protect your privacy when you don’t. From personal mobility to enterprise-grade flexibility, forwarding calls is a practical tool that adapts to changing circumstances, enabling smoother communication and better coverage across diverse situations.