By StreamLeadX team · October 19, 2026 · Carrier codes checked October 2026
How to forward unanswered calls on any phone.
If you run an HVAC or plumbing company, the calls you miss are the ones that come in while you're on a job. No-answer forwarding (also called "conditional call forwarding" or "forward when unanswered") sends only those calls somewhere else, like a missed-call text-back service or a second phone. Your phone still rings first. If you pick up, nothing changes.
This guide covers cell phones, office landlines and the common business phone systems, plus how to test it and how to undo it. Your phone carrier is the final word: codes can change, so if one fails, call the support number listed.
In this guide: The 5 rules · Cell phones · iPhone and Android menus · Landlines · Business phone systems (VoIP) · Yelp and Google numbers · Test it · Troubleshooting · Undo it
Before you start: which phone do you have?
| If your business line is… | Go to |
|---|---|
| A cell phone | Cell phones. You dial a code from that phone |
| A desk phone plugged into the wall or modem (AT&T, Frontier, Spectrum, Comcast) | Landlines |
| An app or website controls your phones (RingCentral, Grasshopper, Ooma, Vonage, Nextiva, Google Voice) | Business phone systems |
Write down your current setting first, so you can put it back. On AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint, Metro or Cricket, dial *#61# and press Call. The number it shows is usually your voicemail. Write it down.
The 5 rules
- Forward unanswered calls only. Never "forward all calls" (
*72,**21*, the iPhone Call Forwarding switch, or "forward immediately"). If you set that, your phone stops ringing. - Ring time: 15–20 seconds (about 3–4 rings) wherever there's a setting. You get a fair chance to answer, and the caller doesn't wait too long.
- Nothing can answer first. Voicemail, a phone menu ("press 1 for…") or a "press 1 to accept" prompt must not pick up before the forward. If one does, the call never gets forwarded.
- Forward to the right number, never back to your own main line.
- Always finish with a test call. It's not done until the test passes.
Cell phones: dial a code
Replace NUMBER with the 10-digit number you're forwarding to, with no spaces or dashes. Type the code in your dialer, press Call, and wait for the confirmation beep or message.
| Carrier | Turn on (no answer) | Ring time | Turn off | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | *71 + NUMBER (for example *715551234567). Covers no answer and busy. | Set by Verizon (about 3–6 rings). No code to change it. | *73 | 800-922-0204 |
| Visible (Verizon network) | Same as Verizon: *71 + NUMBER | Fixed | *73 | Visible app chat |
| AT&T | **61*1NUMBER*11*20# (20 = seconds). If rejected: **61*1NUMBER# | 5–30 s in steps of 5. Use 15 or 20. | See undo | 611 or 800-331-0500 |
| Cricket (AT&T network) | Try the AT&T codes. Not on an official Cricket page, so confirm with Cricket. | Same as AT&T if accepted | See undo | 611 or 800-274-2538 |
| T-Mobile | **61*1NUMBER**20# (for example **61*15551234567**20#) | 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 s. Use 15 or 20. | ##004# resets to normal | 611 or 800-937-8997 (Business 800-375-1126) |
| Metro (T-Mobile network) | Same as T-Mobile. Confirm with Metro if rejected (the line may need the call forwarding feature). | Same as T-Mobile | ##004# | 888-863-8768 |
| Mint (T-Mobile network) | **61*1NUMBER# (official). The ring-time version **61*1NUMBER**20# should work, but confirm with Mint. | Default with the short code | See undo | 611 or 800-683-7392 |
Check that it took: dial *#61#. It should show the number you entered and the seconds you set. Verizon has no status code, so use the test call.
Optional (AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint, Metro): also forward when you're on another call (**67*1NUMBER#, off ##67#) or when your phone is off or has no signal (**62*1NUMBER#, off ##62#). Both still forward missed calls only.
Heads up about voicemail: on AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint, Metro and Cricket, no-answer forwarding is how voicemail works. Once you forward unanswered calls somewhere else, missed calls go there instead of your voicemail. That's usually the point, but know it going in.
Office landlines: star codes
Pick up the handset, dial the code and the number, listen for the confirmation tone, then hang up.
| Provider | Turn on (no answer) | Turn off | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T (Phone for Business / AT&T Phone) | *92 + NUMBER + # | *93# | Ring count can't be set by code, so ask AT&T. Older copper lines may need "Call Forwarding Don't Answer" added first. Support 800-321-2000. |
| Frontier (Fiber / Digital Voice) | *92 + NUMBER | *93 | Some older copper lines use *41 on / *43 off, or a setup Frontier does for you. If *92 fails, contact Frontier. |
| Spectrum (Voice / Business Voice) | Try *92 + NUMBER | *93 | Not verified on an official Spectrum page. It may need to be turned on in Spectrum's online business portal first. If it fails, call the number on your bill. |
| Comcast Business Voice | *92 + NUMBER, hang up | *93 | Support 800-391-3000 |
Business phone systems (VoIP)
On every system: set ring time to about 15–20 seconds, point "if no one answers" to the number as an outside/external number, and set caller ID to show the caller's number, not yours.
| System | Where to set it | Ring time | Caller ID / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RingCentral | Settings > Call Forwarding and Voicemail (Work hours) > Missed calls > Forward to external number > enter NUMBER > Save. Repeat under After Hours if that extension's own schedule should forward too. That schedule belongs to the phone. | Ring count per device. Each ring is about 5 s, so use 3–4. | Incoming Caller ID setting. If your main number hits an auto-receptionist menu first, the menu answers before the forward. Route the main number straight to your extension. Support 888-898-4591. |
| Grasshopper | Admin portal > Call management > Extensions > edit > Add call forwarding > NUMBER, Status Active. Keep your phone first and the new number second ("ring in specific order"). Call handling for that row: "Calls will connect as soon as you pick up." | Keep your own phone's ring duration at about 15–20 s, or your cell's voicemail grabs it. | Preferences > Caller ID: show the caller's number. Announce or "press 1" prompts block the forward. |
| Ooma Office | No direct "unanswered → outside number" setting. Workaround: a spare extension set to Forward it immediately > NUMBER (show original caller's number; key press OFF), then on your extension: Call Handling > Ring for > Then send to: that extension. A spare extension may cost a seat, so check with Ooma. | Ring for about 18–20 s (default is 12 s). | Support 866-939-6662 |
| Vonage Business | Admin Portal > Phone System > Extensions > edit > Call Forwarding > Forward Calls ON > Follow Me. Row 1: your extension. Row 2: NUMBER. Save. | Row 1: 15–20 s | Choose the caller ID that shows the original caller. Support 866-901-0242. |
| Nextiva | Voice portal > Users > Actions > Voice Settings > Forwarding > Call forwarding (unanswered) > NUMBER > Save. (NextivaONE app: Forwarding > When Unanswered.) | "Number of rings": 3–4 | Only direct calls forward, not call-group calls. Check caller ID with a test call. Support 800-799-0600. |
| Comcast Business VoiceEdge | business.comcast.com/bveportal > Feature Settings > Call Forwarding > Call Forwarding No Answer > NUMBER, On, Save. Or from the desk phone: *92 + NUMBER (off *93). | 3–4 rings if shown | Support 800-391-3000 |
| Google Voice | Can't do it. Google Voice rings its linked phones at once, and missed calls go to Google Voice voicemail. There's no "unanswered → outside number" option. | n/a | If your linked phone is a cell, forwarding can be set on that cell's carrier, but Google Voice voicemail may still answer first. |
Yelp and Google numbers
- Yelp call tracking: Yelp's tracking number forwards into your main line, so once your main line has no-answer forwarding, Yelp calls follow it. Test it by calling your Yelp number and letting it ring out. If you pause Yelp ads, the old Yelp number keeps forwarding for 90 days.
- Google Business Profile: Google stopped using its own forwarding numbers on profiles on July 31, 2024. The call button dials your real number. Just make sure the number on your profile is the line you set up.
Test it (every time)
- Call your business number from a different phone: an employee's, a friend's or a family member's. Don't use the phone you just set up.
- Don't answer. Let it ring until it stops ringing on your end (15–20 seconds).
- Pass: the call reaches the number you forwarded to. With a text-back service, the test phone gets a text back. If the text comes from the service but the alert shows your number instead of the caller's, see troubleshooting.
- Answer one call too, to make sure your phone still rings normally.
Troubleshooting
| What happened | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing happens | Forwarding didn't save, a typo in the number, or something answered first | Cell: dial *#61# and check the number. Verizon: redo *71 + NUMBER carefully. VoIP: reopen the setting and make sure it saved for work hours and after hours. |
| The forward shows your number, not the caller's | Caller ID isn't passing through | Turn on the caller-ID option (RingCentral "Incoming Caller ID", Grasshopper/Vonage/Ooma "show original caller"). Landline or cell: ask your carrier for "original caller ID on forwarded calls." Retest. |
| Your phone never rings | "Forward all calls" got turned on by mistake | Verizon: *73, then *71 + NUMBER. AT&T/T-Mobile-type phones: ##21#, then redo **61*. iPhone: turn off Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding. Landline: *73, then *92. Ooma: change "Forward it immediately" back to "Ring." |
| Voicemail or a menu answers first | Voicemail or the menu rings shorter than the forward | Cell: re-run the code (it replaces carrier voicemail). VoIP: lower ring time to 15–20 s, or route the main number past the menu. |
| "Code error" or "not available" | Wrong code, feature not on your plan, prepaid limits, or no signal | Re-type slowly. AT&T: try the short form **61*1NUMBER#. Make sure iPhone/Android "always forward" is off. Still failing? Call your carrier and say: "Turn on no-answer call forwarding to an outside number." |
Undo it
| Phone | How to go back to normal |
|---|---|
| Verizon / Visible | *73 |
| T-Mobile / Metro | ##004# (resets to default) |
| AT&T / Mint / Cricket | Re-enter your voicemail number: **61* then the number you wrote down, then #. Or call your carrier and say "reset my no-answer forwarding to voicemail." Don't just dial ##61#. That can leave calls ringing with no voicemail. |
| Landlines | *93 (AT&T: *93#) |
| VoIP | Set "no answer" back to voicemail in the portal |
| iPhone / Android | Make sure "Always forward" stays off |
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Sources (carrier and vendor help pages, checked October 2026): verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-181139 · verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-17268 · verizon.com/support/call-forwarding-faqs · att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1011513 (AT&T doesn't publish the wireless codes online; they're standard GSM codes, matching T-Mobile's published list) · t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/self-service-short-codes · mintmobile.com/help/how-to-turn-on-off-call-forwarding · support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph7405291c4 · att.com/device-support/article/140337 (Pixel) · samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10001907 · att.com/support/smallbusiness/article/smb-digital-phone/KM1000459 · frontier.com/documents/helpcenter/phone/fiber-digital-voice-quick-reference-guide.pdf · frontier.com/documents/helpcenter/phone/frontier-calling-features.pdf · business.comcast.com · assets.ringcentral.com/us/guide/ringex_user_guide.pdf · support.grasshopper.com/help/forward-incoming-calls-for-an-extension · ooma.com/small-business-phone-systems/how-to/how-to-direct-incoming-calls · businesssupport.vonage.com/articles/answer/Follow-Me-24816 · help.nextiva.com/article/call-forward-no-answer · support.google.com/voice/answer/11420769 · biz.yelp.com/support-center/article/What-is-Call-Reporting · support.google.com/business/answer/14919062. A few carrier notes were not on an official page when this was written.
Questions
What is no-answer call forwarding?
It forwards a call only when you don't pick up. Your phone rings first, and if you answer, nothing changes. If you don't, the call goes to the number you set, like a missed-call text-back service.
What's the code to forward unanswered calls on Verizon?
Dial *71 followed by the 10-digit number, then press Call. To turn it off, dial *73.
What's the code on T-Mobile?
Dial **61*1 followed by the 10-digit number and **20#, then press Call. The 20 sets how long the phone rings. To reset to normal, dial ##004#.
What's the code on AT&T wireless?
Dial **61*1 followed by the 10-digit number and *11*20#. If that's rejected, try **61*1 followed by the number and #. To undo, re-enter your voicemail number the same way, or ask AT&T to reset no-answer forwarding to voicemail.
Will my phone still ring?
Yes, as long as you set no-answer forwarding and not forward all calls. Never use the iPhone Call Forwarding switch, *72 or **21*, which forward every call.
Can Google Voice forward unanswered calls to another number?
No. Google Voice has no option to send unanswered calls to an outside number. Missed calls go to Google Voice voicemail.