Call forwarding is one of the most underused features on every smartphone — and for small business owners, it can be the difference between capturing a customer and losing them to voicemail.

When you're on a job, in a meeting, or simply unavailable, call forwarding lets you redirect unanswered calls to another number automatically. For service businesses using BookedUp, the play is simple: forward unanswered calls to your BookedUp number so that any caller you miss gets an instant text back within seconds.

This guide covers exact step-by-step instructions for the three major US carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Whether you use a dial code or a smartphone app, we've got you covered.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on Verizon

Verizon supports call forwarding via dial codes directly from your phone's dialer — no app required. This works on both Android and iPhone on Verizon's network.

Verizon — Unconditional Forwarding (forward ALL calls)

1
Open your phone's dialer and enter the forwarding activation code followed by the number you want to forward to:
*72 + [10-digit forwarding number]
2
Example: To forward to (555) 867-5309, dial: *725558675309
3
Press the Call button and wait for a confirmation tone or message. You'll hear two short beeps indicating forwarding is active.
4
To cancel unconditional forwarding, dial *73 and press Call.

Verizon — Conditional Forwarding (forward only unanswered/busy calls)

1
For no answer forwarding (rings first, then forwards if unanswered):
*71 + [10-digit forwarding number]
2
For busy forwarding (forwards only when you're on another call):
*90 + [10-digit forwarding number]
3
To cancel no-answer forwarding, dial *93. To cancel busy forwarding, dial *91.

You can also manage call forwarding via the My Verizon app: go to Account → Manage Device → Calling Features → Call Forwarding.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on AT&T

AT&T uses a slightly different dial code format that follows the international GSM standard. These codes work on iPhones and Android devices on the AT&T network.

AT&T — Unconditional Forwarding (forward ALL calls)

1
Open your phone's dialer and enter the following — note the asterisks, the number, and the pound sign at the end:
*21* [10-digit number] #
2
Example: *21*5558675309# — then press Call.
3
You'll see a confirmation screen showing forwarding is active.
4
To cancel unconditional forwarding, dial ##21# and press Call.

AT&T — Conditional Forwarding (forward only unanswered/busy calls)

1
For no answer forwarding:
*61* [10-digit number] #
2
For busy line forwarding:
*67* [10-digit number] #
3
For unreachable/no signal forwarding:
*62* [10-digit number] #
4
To cancel all conditional forwarding at once, dial ##004# and press Call.

You can also manage forwarding in the myAT&T app: go to My Wireless → Select your device → Manage Features → Call Forwarding.

How to Set Up Call Forwarding on T-Mobile

T-Mobile uses the same GSM star-code format as AT&T. These codes work on any device on T-Mobile's network.

T-Mobile — Unconditional Forwarding (forward ALL calls)

1
Open your dialer and enter:
**21* [10-digit number] #
2
Example: **21*5558675309# — then press Call.
3
You'll receive a confirmation. All calls will now forward regardless of whether you answer.
4
To cancel, dial ##21# and press Call.

T-Mobile — Conditional Forwarding (forward only unanswered/busy calls)

1
For no answer forwarding (recommended for BookedUp setup):
**61* [10-digit number] #
2
For busy line forwarding:
**67* [10-digit number] #
3
For unreachable forwarding (no signal, phone off):
**62* [10-digit number] #
4
To cancel all conditional forwarding at once, dial ##004# and press Call.

T-Mobile also lets you manage call forwarding in the T-Mobile app or by calling customer service at 611.

How to Cancel Call Forwarding (All Carriers)

Here's a quick reference for canceling call forwarding on each carrier:

Carrier Cancel Unconditional Cancel All Conditional
Verizon *73 *93 (no answer), *91 (busy)
AT&T ##21# ##004#
T-Mobile ##21# ##004#
Tip: After entering any cancellation code, press the Call button and wait for confirmation before hanging up. Some phones show a notification in the status bar when forwarding is active.

Conditional vs. Unconditional Forwarding: Which Should You Use?

This is an important distinction that most guides gloss over. Here's the difference:

Unconditional forwarding

Every call to your number gets immediately redirected — you never hear it ring on your device. This is useful if you want all calls to go to a dedicated business line or receptionist, but it means you can't pick up directly even if you want to.

Conditional forwarding

Your phone rings first. If you don't answer within a set number of rings (typically 15–30 seconds depending on carrier settings), the call automatically forwards to your designated number. This is usually the best setup for business owners who want to answer when they can, but need a safety net for when they can't.

Recommended for BookedUp users: Use no-answer conditional forwarding. Your phone rings as normal — you pick up when you're free. When you're on a job and can't answer, the call forwards to BookedUp, which texts the caller back instantly. Best of both worlds.

Forward Calls to Your BookedUp Number

Here's how this all comes together for service businesses using BookedUp:

  1. Sign up for BookedUp — you'll receive a dedicated BookedUp phone number for your business.
  2. Set up conditional call forwarding on your existing business number using the appropriate code for your carrier (see above). Forward to your BookedUp number.
  3. When you can't answer — because you're on a job, it's after hours, or you're busy — the call forwards to BookedUp.
  4. BookedUp detects the missed call and sends the caller an instant, personalized text message: something like "Hey, this is [Your Business Name] — sorry we missed you! What can we help you with today?"
  5. The customer replies via text, tells you what they need, and you can book the appointment directly from the text thread — or BookedUp can handle the booking automatically.

The result: no caller slips through. Every missed call becomes a text conversation within seconds. You get back to customers when you have a moment, and they get an immediate response instead of voicemail.

This setup takes about 5 minutes and ensures you never lose a lead to voicemail again — regardless of what time they call or how busy you are.

Ready to stop missing calls?

Sign up for BookedUp, get your forwarding number, and set it up in under 5 minutes. Every missed caller gets an instant text back — 24/7.

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